Scandimood

The poetic value of wood by Hartikainen

Finnish brand Nikari celebrates 50 years and for the anniversary put a spotlight on their young, fab, in-house designers. Since some time now I’v followed the work of cabinet maker master Antrei Hartikainen with great interest. Apart from work on design, prototypes and manufacturing processes Hartikainen explore how to highlight the possibilities of wood. In his smaller objects and sculptures Antrei Hartikainen shows a unique gift for emphasizing beauty with the smallest of gestures. This coming September his wall /floor sculptures Kukkii (”Blooming”) is chosen as one of three candidates for the Helsinki Design Week ”Product of the Year”- award 2017.

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Verso salad tools by Antrei Hartikainen for Serlachius Museums (2017). Maple wood au naturel. Photo copyright Antrei Hartikainen.

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Verso by Hartikainen

In the making: band sewing is used to make out the shape of the Verso salad server. Each spoon is then hand finished by Antrei Hartikainen into beautiful salad tools, all unique. Photo copyright Antrei Hartikainen.

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Kukkii wood sculptures by Antrei Hartikainen. Photo copyright Kari Nyssönen.

Kukkii – shapes of mushrooms and flowers. By Antrei Hartikainen. Different materials with wooden cover (detail). Photo copyright Antrei Hartikainen.

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Collector A, B, C stationary desk trays by Linda Bergroth, made by Antrei Hartikainen in birch naturel. Originally made for the ”We love wood(s)” exhibition at Fiskars Village and shown in Artek Helsinki & Institute Finlandiers in Paris. Later commissioned by Artek. Photo copyright Antrei Hartikainen and Rauno Träskelin.

Contemporary Scandi 2017-07-21

Ditch the single use plastic bag!

The implementation of the recent EU directive on how shops shall handle plastic bags in regard to their customers is now running full speed and in Stockholm you see the result; customers ditch the single use plastic and ask for sustainability. The aim of the regulation is to reduce the consumption of plastic bags, reduce littering and secure a more efficient resource utilization. Swedish fashion brands H&M, KappAhl and Lindex has therefore launched One Bag Habit. They report that during the first month of this initiative less than 30 % of their customers asked for/or bought a single use plastic bag when informed about the problems of plastic. How easy it was to skip the plastic and go for sustainability. Wow!

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”One Bag Habit – Reusable thinking”. Thinking is good but action better! Why not ditch all single use plastic in wrapping, tape, tags on the products… Photo copyright: One Bag Habit.

As for Scandimood – we’re in for foldable reusable classics:

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In a pocket close to you: Baggu. The american wonder bag…This sturdy, ripstop nylon tote has become a classic among foldable, stylish, light weight bags since it was launched in 2007. Machine washable.

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And what about the fibre bag, this one’s from Abacá. This kind of traditional, simple but decorative bag is easy to find, world wide. Photo copyright Abacá.

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And the eco cotton bag from Muir. French and stylish since 1860! Machine washable. Photo copyright Muir.

Learn more about the problems of plastics under the ”No Plastic” tag to the right of this page!

Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly 2017-07-19

Note and the hidden tints

Note Design Studio is an example of how successful the contemporary scandinavian style becomes when a bit of international flair is added to the basic Scandi concept. With Note we get colours, material meetings and patterns on surfaces traditionally kept plain. Note knows how to flirt with styles and ideas from other cultures. It is also interesting to see young studios taking on commissions beyond their usual field of design…like building a house!

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With a colour palette based on original colours at kakelugnar (tiled ovens) from the 19th century Note Design Studio transformed an office space in Stockholm into a family home. Pink, green and a ”yellowish white”… The added colours function as a bridge between the original hues and the contemporary result. Here, children’s room, privat apartment Stockholm, by Note Design Studio (2017). Photo copyright Note Design Studio.

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A simple homeoffice in one corner of the master bedroom. Privat apartment in Stockholm by Note Design Studio (2017). Photo copyright Note Design Studio.

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The pattern of the original floor has been used in decorative and functional ways as a new wall and as a sound absorbing element. Master bedroom in private apartment Stockholm by Note Design Studio (2017). Photo copyright Note Design Studio.

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Dining hall in private apartment Stockholm by Note Design Studio (2017). Photo copyright Note Design Studio.

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Villa Esker by Note Design Studio for Sjöberg & Thermé (2017). Seems fun to build models and do some set design and take pics of your (coming) work and ideas….(Nice touch with the ”clouds”!). Photo copyright Note Design Studio.

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Villa Esker by Note Design Studio for Sjöberg & Thermé (2017) is an energy sufficient house under construction in Stockholm. Photo copyright Note Design Studio.

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Two & Four cabinets by Note Design Studio for Reform (2017). The idea was to combine a traditional material with an old style technique – merging terrazzo with woodworking, thus creating a contemporary look. Photo copyright Reform.

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Cabinets and sideboards Two & Four by Note Design Studio for Reform (2017). Photo copyright Reform.

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Tops and sides comes in 20 mm-thick terrazzo panels in colours red or white. Here, Two & Four cabinet rust terrazzo (NCS S4030-Y5OR and STT-4-731), by Note Design Studio for Reform (2017). Photo copyright Reform.

Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, Note Design Studio 2017-07-05

The Scandi bird bath

Several readers have asked for more info on Scandi style bird baths; there’s some iconic pieces available. Let’s have a look:

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Snäcka bird bath by Signe Persson-Melin for Byarums bruk. Handcasted, recycled aluminum, 49 x 49 x 7 cm, weight 6 kg. Photo copryight Byarums bruk.

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From a pice for Swedish mag Lantliv; Snäcka bird bath and Pallisad plant pot, both by Signe Persson-Melin for Byarums bruk. Handcasted, recycled aluminum. Gardensofa and chair Kaffe by Thomas Bernstrand for Blå Station and Crux blanket by Pia Wallén. Styling Cia Wedin, photo copyright Anna Kern.

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Kvadrat bird bath by Signe Persson-Melin for Byarums bruk. Handcasted, recycled aluminum, 40 x 40 x 8 cm, weight 7 kg. Photo copyright Byarums bruk.

Ivåg by Signe Persson-Melin for Format & Färg, concrete, 30 x 21,7 x 6 cm. Photo copyright Format & Färg.

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Snäckabad bird bath by Stina Lindholm for Skulpturfabriken. Concrete, 50 x 50 x 10 cm, weight 25 kg including loose shell sculpture which comes with the set. Photo copyright Skulpturfabriken.

Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, Friends, In the Season, Scandimood, Signe Persson Melin 2017-06-24

Poetry and pink peonies

June in Old Town Stockholm is perhaps the most poetic time of the year: the pink peonies bloom in the garden, side by side with astrantia major – sv. Stjärnflocka. The bluetit bring the young ones for a visit and while mum and dad take a bath the chicks squeak and dance to get attention, and ultimately food, food, food…Now is the time to be lazy, to sit in the garden reading poetry (today I’m hooked on Fermata by young Swedish poet Iman Mohammed, published by Chateaux) and sipping green tea, nibbling cookies!

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Pink peonies in the urban garden do the trick: could it be more poetic? Alongside the peonies we’ve planted Astrantia Major.

The simple sweetness of Stjärnflocka (Astrantia Major) help to enlighten the beauty of the peonies. And vice versa.

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A ”pool” for the birds of Old Town; Shell birdbath by Sam Stigsson for Konsthantverkarna. Handmade in concrete. Photo copyright Sam Stigsson.

Contemporary Scandi, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, Friends, In the Season, Scandimood 2017-06-22

No Plastic – make a change today!

After years of committed work to reduce all plastic from my home, my studio and ultimately my life I know it is possible. Not easy. But possible! There’s a lot of alternatives to plastic and you can reduce and replace your use of plastic with other materials, new sustainable habits…and there’s a lot of high quality recycled plastic design products around, from trainers to furniture! Read more under ”No Plastic” to the right on this page. And, join me on the journey towards a world without plastic waste.

MIDWAY a Message from the Gyre : a short film by Chris Jordan from Midway on Vimeo. Courtesey Parley for the Oceans (2017).

Compassionates, Eco Aesthetics, No Plastic, Scandimood, Videos 2017-06-08

Compassionates, Eco Aesthetics, No Plastic, Scandimood, Videos 2017-06-22

Precious days!

During the first week of June the scent from the old lilac tree is all over our urban garden and we take every opportunity to enjoy a fika under its green foliage. Every year the amethyst colour of the flowers evoke a feel of wonder in me; it is something about that colour! This kind of colourful is daring in a Scandi interior. But try! If only with a bunch of flowers. And see how it adds to a contemporary feel!

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Lilacs are common in Stockholm, here in a garden in Äppelviken. Rattan chair 230 by Larsson Korgmakare, blanket Crux blanket (1991) by Pia Walllén. Styling Cia Wedin. Photo copyright Johan Sellén.

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Wallpaper Westwood, digital print by Camilla Diedrich, table Shake by Jens Fager for Muuto (2009), chair Speed by Johan Lindstén for Johanson Design, lamp 081t1 by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Wästberg. Styling by Cia Wedin. Photo copyright Anna Kern.

Anna Kern, Contemporary Scandi, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, In the Season, Johan Sellén, Muuto, Pia Wallén, Wästberg 2017-06-02

Have a seat!

Rope, yarn, string…of fiber, textile, plastic…There’s as many variations of seating as designers ideas. I appreciate when it’s possible to use a piece of furniture outdoors as well as indoors. Fortunately the trend 2017 is to relaunch simplistic, handsome and comfortable chairs in contemporary colours and materials. Good design never gets boring, but sometimes a new take on the visual and tactile make wonders!

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PK1 chair by Poul Kjaerholm for Carl Hansen & Sons (1955). Realunched 2017. Steel frame and setting in rope. Photo copyright Carl Hansen & Sons.

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PK1 chair by Poul Kjaerholm is a lightweight chair with four slim legs. Available in October 2017. Photo copyright Carl Hansen & Sons.

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Panton One chair by Verner Panton for Montana (1955). Relaunched in 2003 and 2017. Available in no less than 12 colours. Steel frame with handwoven seat in polyurethane and nylon. Photo copyright Montana.

Architectual moves, Carl Hansen & Son, Contemporary Scandi, Environmental friendly, In the Season, Montana 2017-05-23

That special feeling

Once in a while we visit a house where architecture and interior, seemingly without effort, blends into that special feeling we call a home. Skilled architect Torbjörn Gudmundsson and organic house producer LEVA Husfabrik created the building, in collaboration with a young Stockholm family. The interior is sparsely decorated with a few selected new pieces of furniture and some vintage/second hand objects. And the result is fab!

In the May issue of Swedish ELLE Decoration you can read about this small contemporary summer dwelling situated in the Stockholm Archepelago. Text and styling by Cia Wedin. Photo copyright Anna Kern.

Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, In the Season, Scandimood 2017-05-18

Lissoni moments

Sometimes I need a Lissoni moment = to indulge in the excessive beauty and aesthetics of a Piero Lissoni product or building. So very Italian! So very contemporary! Lissonis work is a great inspiration. There´s the friendly minimalism, the strong visuality, the respect of materials and a use of space creating a feel good dimension.

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Rod sofa by Piero Lissoni for Living Divani (2012). Photo copyright Living Divani.

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The coolness of a tap claiming its position as a handsome manmade piece of work! A simple but distinctive shape against beautiful material samples make the bath or kitchen into a room, into something cared of. About Water AL/23 by Piero Lissoni for Fantini (2010). Photo copyright Tommaso Sartori for Fantini.

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Lochness cabinet by Piero Lissoni for Cappellini (2015). Photo copyright Cappellini.

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Le trottole, spinning tops in different wood combinations by Piero Lissoni for Porro (2015). Photo copyright Porro.

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And a geometrical, rather strict but ever so beautiful garden…Giardino Geometrico for Salone del Mobile (2014) in collaboration with Living Divani and Laminam. Photo copyright Lissoniassociati.

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Awaiting the designer…where is he?

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Aah! Piero Lissoni in his studio in Milano. Where there’s some scandistyle pieces on display. Photo copyright Lissoniassociati.

Architectual moves 2017-05-12

Pilaster

Pilaster is one of the most famous Swedish bookshelves ever. It was designed by architect John Kandell in 1989. With its simple but ingenious form it is perfect for those books you want to have at hand. Perhaps in the kitchen, or by your bed? In his later years John Kandell often found solutions for small spaces, the in-between spaces where you pass (like in the stairs) or need something interesting to rest your eyes on…

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Pilaster shelf by John Kandell for Källemo (1989). Birch naturel treated with natural soap. Photo copyright Källemo.

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Recently added to my ”must read” list is the fine story of John Kandell (1925–1991) and his wife, textile designer Ulla Kandell (born 1926). Written by Gunilla Lundahl with graphic design by Johannes Molin it is a book to return to many times, for a read, or to browse through while enjoying its visuality. In Swedish only, but wow…what a perfect presentation of the Kandells! In layer upon layer their story unfolds…revealing unexpected things like small messages between the Kandell couple, drawings, interior pics, architect plans, production display and lots of info on their important work.

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”Leken och allvaret – John and Ulla Kandell”. Book by Gunilla Lundahl for Carlssons bokförlag (2017). Photo copyright Carlssons.

Architectual moves, Book Cradle, Compassionates, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Fab Swedes 2017-05-09

Gunnel Sahlin at LCW

LCW – London Craft Week is up and running until 7th of May. If in London don´t miss out fab Swedish glass artist Gunnel Sahlin at Vessel gallery in Notting Hill.

Hortus Poetica – Exploring Materiality, Colour & Form

Glass by Gunnel Sahlin

Vessel gallery, 114 Kensington Park Rd

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Gunnel Sahlin working in her studio. In her glass work Sahlin explore the limits of glass materiality, colour, form and light. Her main inspiration is the natural world around her. Photo copyright Konsthantverkarna.

Bicolor Magnolia, Lilium, Cintronella, Raps, 18-20 cm h, 2014

Bicolor Magnolia, Lilium, Cintronella and Raps, glass objects sizes 18–20 cm. Photo copyright Gunnel Sahlin.

Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Fab Swedes 2017-05-05

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