Iris Hantverk: Craftsmanship, Design, Sustainability

I recently produced a booklet for Swedish crafts industry Iris Hantverk. At their brush binding facility in Stockholm visually impaired craftsmen make functional and handsome brushes using traditional techniques. All in Scandinavian design and with sustainable materials.

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Iris Hantverk: Craftsmanship, Design, Sustainability. Booklet by Cia Wedin for Iris Hantverk (2019). Graphics by Sofia Ekvall, illustrations by Mats Johansson and photographs by Anna Kern. Proofreading by Rikard Lagerberg. Printed and bound in Sweden by Göteborgstryckeriet according to ISO 14001 on FSC certified paper Munken Lynx Rough 120 g by Arctic Paper. With cover in PCF paper Kraftpak 259 g by Papyrus. Photo copyright Cia Wedin.

Iris Hantverk also produces everyday products for the contemporary home, like the natural, non-plastic scouring pad. Made from 100% biodegradable organic loofah it will last at least 4–6 months before going into the compost. The pad is nominated to the design award ”Formex Formidable 2019”.
iris-hantverk-scouring-padScouring Pad by Iris Hantverk (2019). Made from 100% biodegradable, organically cultivated loofah. Grown and manufactured in Spain by using natural rain and recycled thermal water. No chemicals are used throughout growing and manufacturing. Photo copyright Iris Hantverk.

Anna Kern, Book Cradle, Compassionates, Contemporary Scandi, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, Iris Hantverk 2019-09-07

Safety can be beautiful!

Finnish brand Jalo Helsinki challenge my views of what a fire extinction product may look like… By collaborating with gifted industrial designers they transform safety products into functional yet interesting interior details.

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Kitchen Fire Extinguisher Oiva, by Oiva Toikka for Jalo Helsinki. Biodegradable extinguishant. The empty container is possible to recycle. Photo copyright Jalo Helsinki.

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Lento 10 smoke alarm, by Paola Suhonen for Jalo Helsinki. This sweet night fly comes in colours Black, Light Green, Rosa, Silver Grey and White. Photo copyright Jalo Helsinki.

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Are you in for Moomin or Tom of Finland!? The fire blankets comes with artwork by Erik Bruun, Harri Koskinen, Oiva Toikka, Erja Hirvi, Tove Jansson and Tom of Finland. Here, The Hero by Tom of Finland for Jalo Helsinki. Size 120×180 cm. Photo copyright Jalo Helsinki.

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Kupu 10 smoke alarm, by Harri Koskinen for Jalo. Comes in five fabric covers in the colours Dark Grey, Light Brown, Turquoise, White and Yellow. Also available in a sassy chrome version. Photo copyright Jalo Helsinki.

Contemporary Scandi, Environmental friendly 2019-06-26

The sustainable rug

This Summer we see lots of Scandi rugs aiming on sustainability. Wool, linen and cotton are still dominating materials but recycled waste turned into yarn is on the rise. Traditional handicraft techniques blend with high-tech knowledge and the result is comtemporary yet classic.

Ogeborg is known for their environmental friendly public space flooring. For 2019 the brand collaborate with gifted designers in ODC – Ogeborg Design Collection, bringing sustainable rugs into the private home. The Twine collection by Alexander Lervik is an example of a sucessful collaboration between a gifted designer and an experienced producer. With inspiration from hair braid techiques Lervik developed a new pattern out of traditional weaving methods and with a close eye to detail. The contemporary pattern in combination with a double knitted classic fringe is a really nice touch!

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Twine Aqua, by Alexander Lervik for Ogeborg (2019). Handwoven, loop pile, in 100% wool with latex/polyester backing. Twine comes in colours Aqua, Nature, Ochre, Petrol Green and Rose. Photo copyright Ogeborg.

 

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Another interesting player on the Scandinavian design field is Designtorget. Their rPET collection is a contemporary interpretation of the Swedish rag rug. Pet yarn looks and feel like wool yarn. It is interesting as it make use of waste plastic, turning PET bottles into new household products. A rug made from rPET can be wiped with a damp cloth and mild detergent but is not to be washed in a washing machine; if so the yarn’ll get slack and the rug looses its shape. No products made from plastic shall ever go into the washing machine: that’s to set micro plastic loose into the sea.

The production by Designtorget follow standards BSCI and SA8000 and the rugs are cerrtified by GRS – the Global Recycled Standard. That’s impressing from a sustainability point of view, but even so, it is not possible to recycle rPET products in Sweden. Hopefully in a close future, as I’d like to be able to recycle the recycled.

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Loop rug by Formgatan for Designtorget (2019). Made in rPet yarn (recycled PET). Photo copyright Designtorget.

Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Fab Swedes 2019-05-29

Märta Måås–Fjetterström

This coming October a major exhibition on Märta Måås-Fjetterström will open at the Royal Palace in Old Town, Stockholm, Sweden. More than 60 rugs by the famous Swedish textile artist Märta Måås–Fjetterström (1873–1941) will be on display. The vintage rugs are collectors items but you can still order a new rug from MMF, the Märta Måås-Fjetterström Studio, located in Båstad in south Sweden. Since the studio opened in 1919, skilled artisan weavers has made each and every rug into a gem.

”Look at the rugs – find me”  – exhibition at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. 13 October, 2019 –19 April, 2020. Don’t miss out!

 

Detalj av mattan ’Mr G’. Mr G var Gustaf V:s pseudonym då han tävlade i tennis. Kungen var ofta i Båstad och passade då på att besöka Märta Måås-Fjetterströms ateljé. Mattan ’Mr G’ komponerades av Märta Måås-Fjetterström 1935 och var hennes egen hyllning till monarken. Kungens eget exemplar visas i utställningen på Kungliga Slottet 13 oktober 2019 – 19 april 2020. Foto: Emma Fredriksson/Kungligaslotten.se

Mr G rug by Märta Måås–Fjetterström 1935. Photo by Emma Fredriksson/Royalpalaces.se. Photo copyright Kungl. Hovstaterna.

 

Akvarell av Märta Måås-Fjetterström skiss för Svarta Trädgårdsmattan, komponerad 1923, kallas ofta Märta Måås Fjetterströms ”Rolls Royce”. Inspirerad av de mycket gamla och höga ekarna i barndomshemmets trädgård har hon komponerat en praktflossa med orientalisk känsla. Mattan ses i utställningen på Kungliga Slottet 13 oktober 2019 – 19 april 2020. Foto: Anette Nilsson/Kungligaslotten.se

Svarta trädgårdsmattan by Märta Måås-Fjetterström in 1923. Watercolour sketch. The pattern was inspired by ancient oaks in the garden of the vicarage in Vadstena, where Märta Måås-Fjetterström spent her childhood. It is a magnificent flossa rug with an oriental feel to it. The rug as well as the sketch will be part of the exhibition at the Royal Palace. Photo: Anette Nilsson /Royalpalaces.se. Photo copyright Kungl. Hovstatena.

Eco Aesthetics, Fab Swedes 2019-05-29

Sustainable glass by Iittala

Remember the Raami collection by Jasper Morrison for Iittala? Released earlier this year, this well-drawn, functional and handsome table wear instantly became very popular. Perhaps because the design is nothing but perfect for a young contemporary household. Now Iittala take the step to recycle waste glass from the production of their Aalto vases, bowls and coloured tumblers. What’s interesting is that the waste from the production at Iittala = virgin raw glass material. And hence useful in new high-quality products, like the special edition of Raami tumbler (2019). The special green colour is like a soft rain in the summer. Very pretty!

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Raami tumbler by Jasper Morrison for Iittala (2019). 100% recycled (waste) glass, made in Finland. Available online only. During 2019 Iittala changes their packaging from boxes in bleeched (white) paper with printed photographs, to boxes in recycled craft paper with illustrations.

Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Iittala 2019-05-27

Swedish design!

Recently I’v worked for the Swedish Insitute, producing design related content for their site .sweden.se, which is Sweden’s official website. As always when digging my head into the history of Swedish design I feel humble. Before all the amazing designers and producers bringing high quality Scandi style into our lives.

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Contemporary Swedish design: BAUX acoustic pulp by Form Us With Love for BAUX (2019) is a sound absorbing panel made of 100 % bio-based pane, in colouring created by using different amounts of natural wheat in the material. Photo: Jonas Lindström/BAUX.

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Award-winning Swedish design: Diversity woven vinyl flooring from Bolon recently won the NYCxDESIGN award 2019, in the category ”Contract Flooring”. Congrats! Styling by Saša Antić. Photo: Pär Olofsson/Bolon. The stylish Dandy sofa comes from Swedish marvels Massproductions.

Architectual moves, Bolon, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, Form Us With Love 2019-05-26

Solidarity now!

In our small urban garden the lilacs are blooming, in Old Town the rain is pouring and we´re going to VOTE and bring 20 Swedish representatives to the EU parliament. Today we’ve the chance to say yes to solidarity with humans, animals and nature. Let’s focus on democracy and kindness, and challenge the right wing extreme movement popping up its populistic head all around Europe.
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Compassionates, Contemporary Scandi, Fab Swedes, Scandimood 2019-05-26

Around the table in Milan

Marimekko has set up shop in Milan during the design week and invites us to experience their colourful home collection irl! With simplistic but qualitaive styling, lots of interior feel and their ever so beautiful products Marimekko bring people together. To sit around the table sharing a meal, or a talk. To try a nap in a stylish bed where fresh linen in white and forest green reminds you of Finland. To enjoy the everyday and opening up for that special feeling called inspiration. Lovely!

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The Marimekko shoppable home experience 2019 is created in partnership with furniture design icon Artek and digital commerce specialised growth consultancy Columbia Road. Photo copyright Marimekko.

marimekko-oiva2-5a86b4c8-7167-4058-80d4-6299f21e27a1_s1260x0_q80_noupscaleA special showcase is dedicated to the Oiva (”Superb”) tableware by Sami Ruotsalainen which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Photo copyright Marimekko.

Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Environmental friendly, Marimekko 2019-04-11

A taste of gardening

The days are getting longer and plants start growing in the garden. While awaiting the outdoor season we turn our caring efforts to the indoor plants. In 2019 several Scandi brands launches watering cans; here’s some stylish yet functional news.

 

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Nurture can and Nurture planter from The Nurture Collection by Ilse Crawford for Skultuna (2019). Polished brass, ceramics. Photo copyright Studio Ilse.

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Grab watering can by Stine Aas for Northern (2019) is designed with two functions in one form: it is useful for hanging plants as well as plants on the window sill. Powder coated stainless steel, comes in colours Dark green, Deep plum and Light yellow.  Photo copyright Northern.

 

 

 

Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, In the Season 2019-04-11

Paper magic by Örsjö

The annual furniture fair in Milan is up and running and the Scandi brands are well represented. Among the many Swedish Örsjö stands out with the Virvel collection by Ingegerd Råman. The simplistic design, beautiful handcrafted paper from Lessebo and soft functional light make Virvel an instant classic. Paper shades have not been common in Sweden due to the risk of fire, but with LED there’s new possibilites to use paper for lamps. If in Milan you can visit Örsjö at Euroluce, pavilion 13/F15.

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Virvel lamp with paper shade, by Ingegerd Råman for Örsjö (2019). Photo copyright Erik Lefvander/Örsjö.

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Örsjö is known for their collaborations with skilled Swedish designers. The 2019 collection is no exception. From left to right: Skyline by Folkform, white enamel or polished brass, Vinge by Note Design Studio, enamelled frame with dimmer handle in solid brass or enamelled metal, Streck by Joel Karlsson, adjustable shade made of opal blown glass, switch inside shade, textile cord, Libreria by Folkform, powdercoated steel and opal glass, Kvist by Jonas Bohlin, silver welded contruction, hook designed for wrapping cord, and Libreria floor by Folkform, powdercoated steel and opaque glass. Photo copyright Erik Lefvander/Örsjö.

Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes 2019-04-10

Awaiting Summer!

Every other day during April we Stockholmers experience Spring (Wow! Let’s sit outdoors for a Swedish fika with strong black coffee and sweet cinnamon bun! Faces lifted towards the sun!). Or Winter (What! Bring out the thermo gear and knitted mittens again…there’s blasting icy snow on every turn!). But soon, very soon we’ll be rescued by Summer. Meanwhile I enjoy the sight of Lily of the Kings Meadow and Snowdrop in my small urban garden.

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Lily of the Kings Meadow (Fritillaria meleagris) or ”Kungsängslilja” in Swedish, is the official flower of the Swedish province Uppland, located a short distance north of Stockholm, where it grows wild at the meadows in village Kungsängen (the Kings meadow).

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A miracle every year: Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis). Photo copyright Birgitta Bratthall.

Eco Aesthetics, Scandimood 2019-04-10

Heav(enl)y Metal!

Aluminium is everyone’s choice 2019 and Swedish brands knows how to combine fab design with this sustainable metal. The alu trend started some years ago with the ingenious designs by Signe Persson-Melin for Byarums bruk. The designer (born in 1925) was invited by the company (until then a traditional metal industry) to create contemporary objects for the garden. With her knowledge of form and function Signe Persson-Melin revitalized the whole collection. Gråsippa, Pokal and Palissad soon became role models for sustainable form + sustainable production. Byarums bruk use recycled Swedish aluminium. Their planters can be used all year round, as aluminium is resistent to both heat and cold.

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Gråsippa planter by Signe Persson-Melin for Byarums bruk. Recycled raw cast aluminium. Photo copyright Byarums bruk.

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Pokal planter by Signe Persson-Melin for Byarums bruk. Recycled raw cast aluminium. Photo copyright Byarums bruk.

 

Another stylish product in cast aluminium is the Museum display shelf, by TAF for the new interior of Nationalmuseum – the Swedish National Gallery. In production by String Furniture.

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Museum display shelf by TAF for String Furniture (2018). Photo copyright String Furniture.

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Even though the brand works in virgin aluminium, recycled might be an opition in the future, says Victoria Friis from String Furniture. Meanwhile String Furniture collaborate with a chinese manufacturer who’s following the Swedish certification standard ”Möbelfakta” which ensures sustainable quality for metal products, environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The products by String Furniture comes in an paper package made in Sweden, following FTI guidelines and standards FSC, ISO22000, ISO9001 and ISO14001.

String Furniture also produce the classic work by Kajsa and Nisse Strinning. Namely the ”string shelf”, a piece of iconic furniture well-known and loved by Swedes since the 50s. Very few designers have made such an impact on Swedish interior decoration as the Strinning couple. Recently String Furniture launched several developments, in collaboration with some of Sweden’s best industrial designers and stylists.

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String Furniture Beige is an update of the String indoor shelving system, with a new beige coating chosen by interior stylist Lotta Agaton (2019).

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String Outdoor, by Kajsa and Nisse Strinning (panels) and Anna von Schewen/Björn Dahlström (shelves) for String (2019). Aluzinc, steel coated with rust resistant aluminium-zinc (shelves) and hot-dip galvanized metal string (panels). Made in Sweden. Photo copyright String Furniture.

Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, Signe Persson Melin, TAF 2019-04-03
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