Simplistic seating

The classic Scandi wood chair with its sleek and minimalistic look seem to reinvent itself every other year. In 2018 one interesting chair is the Linea Akademia chair by Wesley Walters & Salla Luhtasela for Nikari. It was part of Wesley Walters’ Master’s Thesis at Aalto University, a research of ”The American Shaker style and its characteristics, brought to life anew in a Nordic context”. Handsome!

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Linea Akademia chair by Wesley Walters & Salla Luhtasela (aka Kaksikko) for Nikari (2018). Massive oak treated with wood oil mixture. Photo copyright Chikako Harada.

Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly 2018-09-19

82 %

82 % of the Swedes stands up for democracy and will not tolerate rasism in any form. That was made clear after last weeks elections in Sweden. Let’s inspire the 18 % who did flirt with rasist parties to take a look at the Scandinavian design community. Contemporary Scandi brands stands firm in their openminded, curious and compassionate collaborations with designers from all over the world.

Next Guest of Honor at the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair (2019) is studio Neri & Hu from Shanghai, China. This fab duo work with an interdiciplinary take on design; you can see the inspiration from architecture and global trends, often formulated in a poetic style. Among the Scandi Brands representing Neri & Hu are Swedish Bolon and Danish Kvadrat and Fritz Hansen.

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Yanzi Light by Lyndon Neri & Rossana Hu for Artemide. Brushed brass, white, black/blown glass, size 40×75,4 cm, height 192 cm, diameter base 40 cm. Diffused LED source. Photo copyright Neri & Hu.

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Lyndon Neri & Rossana Hu, aka Neri & Hu design studio. Photo copyright Neri & Hu.

Neri and HuNeri & Hu have established a retail platform in Shanghai, to offer Chinese consumers products by global designers. Photo copyright Dezeen.

 

Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics 2018-09-14

Kvadrat goes flooring

Danish Kvadrat is a fab Scandi brand, known and respected for their environmental friendly production and handsome collection of contemporary fabrics. Kvadrat collaborates with designers and artists like Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Olafur Eliasson, Akira Minagawa, Doshi Levien and Patricia Urquiola. New 2018 is a collection of rugs by Hella Jongerius in felted interpretations of art and nature.

F_20095_C0285_FULL_SIZE_LOWSienna rug by Hella Jongerius for Kvadrat (2018) is inspired by abstract expressionist paintings, such as those of Mark Rothko. 100 % wool, available in standard rug sizes. Photo copyright Kvadrat.

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With its soft, saturated hues and delicate composition Sienna brings to life Hella Jongerius’s exceptional sense for colour through an array of delicate tonal gradations. Photo copyright Kvadrat.
Sienna by Hella Jongerius for Kvadrat
Sienna in production in the handicraft studio in Nepal. To achieve the rug’s captivating watercolour-like expression, dyed flocks of wool are pulled by hand until they are almost transparent. Like paint, they overlap when placed on a dark or light base, gently flowing and diffusing into each other. Photo copyright Studio Hella Jongerius.

Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Kvadrat 2018-08-29

A little scruffy around the edges…

Sooner or later all Scandi design items gets a little bit scruffy around the edges. But design of high quality will grew old with charm and dignity. That’s why vintage Scandinavian is still in the loop! Your design pieces definitely’s got a second life and it’ll take a lifetime or more before such a piece is definitely worn out.

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The classic garden chair in powder coated steel make a perfect companion over years. In this Swedish house a few simple chairs with worn paint adds a laidback feel to the designer table, strict greenery and minimalistic architecture. From a piece by Cia Wedin for ELLE Decoration. Photo copyright Anna Kern.

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In the beginning we’re all pristine! Palissad outdoor series by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Hay. Powder coated steel. Palissad quilted cushion (2018) in water resistant fabric. Photo copyright Hay.

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The classic Stool 60 by Alvar Aalto for Artek was designed in 1933. Some years ago Artek started ”2nd cycle” – a business which take back old furniture, restore them and sell them again. Some of the original stools are left with the original paint, now worn but lovely. Photo copyright Artek.

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Stool 60 by Alvar Aalto for Artek. Solid birch made in Finland. Photo copyright Artek.

Alvar Aalto, Anna Kern, Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Hay, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec 2018-08-26

What will next Season bring?

It’s late August and time to take care of and bring the garden furniture and planters into storage. It’s also time for thinking about next ”season”: What to grow and in what…and perhaps look for additional furniture and garden tools. The Scandi brands knows how to produce environmental friendly garden beauties. Look out for brands like Byarums bruk and Blå Station!

Gardening photo Anna Kern

Early morning at Rosendals trädgård in Stockholm. Garden furniture Kaffe Chair 011 and Kaffe Sofa 012, both by Thomas Bernstrand for Blå Station (2014). Steel. The Kaffe family comprises chair, easy chair, sofa and table. And is as useful indoors as in the garden. Palissad planter by Signe Persson-Melin for Byarums bruk. Recycled raw aluminium. Snäcka bird bath by Byarums bruk. Recycled raw aluminium. Wool blanket Crux by Pia Wallén (1991). 90% organic lambswool, 10% organic cashemere. From a piece by Cia Wedin for Lantliv, photo copyright Anna Kern.

Anna Kern, Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, In the Season, Signe Persson Melin 2018-08-25

Forever contemporary: Bodil Kjaer

Danish designer Bodil Kjaer (born in 1932) has always been a brilliant interpreter of her time. This last Spring Kjaer and her fab design was celebrated at the Milano furniture fair with a re-launch of no less than 25 interesting and handsome objects, from the smart Inside/Outside furniture for Carl Hansen & Son to the beautiful Crosses glass work for Holmegaard.

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The Indoor/Outdoor series by Bodil Kjaer (1959), in production by Carl Hansen & Son (2018). This handsome series of furniture in massive teak can be used indoors as well as outdoors. Photo copyright Carl Hansen & Son.

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Simplicity at its best; chair from the Indoor/Outdoor series by Bodil Kjaer (1959) for Carl Hansen & Son (2018). Massive teak. Photo copyright Carl Hansen & Son.

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Take a look at the handsome details! Indoor/Outdoor series by Bodil Kjaer (1959), for Carl Hansen & Son (2018). Photo copyright Carl Hansen & Son.

 

Bodil Kjaer photographed by Felix Odell

Forever contemporary, forever stylish; Danish designer Bodil Kjaer in her elegant Indoor/Outdoor chair, originally designed in 1959, re-launched by Carl Hansen & Son in 2018. Solid teak. Photo copyright Felix Odell.

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Vases Crosses – a series of hand-blown glass vases by Bodil Kjaer for Holmegaard 2017. Originally designed as Cross Vases for Torben Oerskov & Co in 1961–1962. Comes in colours clear, smoke and green, sizes H 12–25 cm. Photo copyright Holmegaard.

Vases Crosses by Bodil Kjaer for Holmegaard

Vases Crosses by Bodil Kjaer for Holmegaard (2017). Photo copyright Holmegaard.

Architectual moves, Carl Hansen & Son, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly 2018-08-20

Helsinki Fashion Week ditch leather

In a stand against the leather industry’s cruelty to animals and the huge environmental devastation, leather will be prohibited on Helsinki Fashion Week catwalks from July 2019. The event – held annually in Finland’s capital – is world leading in promoting sustainable fashion. There’s nothing sustainable about the leather trade. In fact, the leather industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters, kills over a billion animals each year and also harm and kill people.

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On a couch near you? Every day hundred thousands of animals are abused in the leather trade.

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Perhaps your next designer chair? The ”life” of  animals in the leather trade is nothing but misery.

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Which Furniture Fair and Design Week will be first to follow Helsinki’s example and ditch leather? Photo copyright Anna Kern.

Innovative, high-tech options made from sustainable, plant-derived materials is on the rise. Alongside fab looking natural materials from a sustainable production. Let’s go Cruelty Free and never buy design products of animal origin. Leather, feather, fur and skin? No thank you!

Animal Rights, Compassionates, Contemporary Scandi, Videos 2018-08-16

The recycling of a classic

In 2018 the upholstered chair is back at the core of the contemporary Scandi style. With upholstering comes a possiblity to work with different fabrics and play with colours. And, you can re-upholster an old chair as long as the shell is intact. The Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) had a bunch of 30 year old No 7 by Arne Jacobsen. These classic chairs have been in use every single day over the years and when the original fabric had worned out DR decided to re-upholster instead of buying new furniture. The result is fab! Spot on the contemporary look combining qualitative fabric with well chosen colours into a sleek yet pragmatic elegance.

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Chair No 7 by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen (1955). Re-upholstered by architecht Tommy Topp at the Danish Broadcasting Corporation in textile from Kvadrat (2018). Shell in pressure molded sliced veneer, legs in steel. Photo copyright DR.

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Chair No 7 by Arne Jacobsen recycled with new textile from Kvadrat (2018). The upholstered Series No 7 Chair is one of the most comfortable chairs you can imagine. Originally designed for the SAS hotel in Copenhagen. Photo copyright DB.

 

 

Architectual moves, Arne Jacobsen, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fritz Hansen, In the Season 2018-08-11

The possibility of error: Castiglioni

When Achille Castiglioni was asked to describe the design process he said: ”Experience does not bring certainity or security, but rather increases the possibility of error. I would say it is better to start from scratch each time, with humility, because experience is not likely to turn into sillyness”. Sounds good to me: let’s embrace the possility of error! And celebrate a free minded, curious take on design.

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Achille Castiglioni (1918–2002) was an Italian architect and designer, especially interested in every-day objects. His oeuvre of work is impressing. Castiglioni designed the now iconic lamps Gatto, Arco, Parentesi and several others for Flos. Photo copyright Fondazione Achille Castiglioni.

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Gatto by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos (1960). Steel, cocoon. Height 310 mm and 580 mm. Photo copyright Flos.

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Splugen Brau pendant by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos (1961). Aluminium. Photo copyright Flos.

 

 

Architectual moves, Castiglioni, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly 2018-08-10

No Plastic update: ghost nets

Longtime readers of Scandimood might remember my series ”No plastic”, ”No food waste” and ”No textile shopping”. And how I made an effort to reduce my private and professional consumtion of plastic, never throw away food and develop a strategy on how to buy less clothes and textile for the household. Some of you’ve now asked me for un update. You can read more under ”No Plastic” to the right of this page.

In Stockholm it is possible to recycle almost all kind of plastic. Unfortunately this make no incentive for people to consume less. On the contrary! Plastic is everywhere, it is difficult to avoid, and the main part of used plastic products end up as waste in the nature. A lot end up in the sea: it is app. that in 2050 there’ll be more plastic than fish in the seas.

An urgent problem with plastic is abandoned, lost and discarded fishing nets, lines and traps that threats sea life. A staggering 640,000 tonnes of (plastic) gear is left in our oceans each year. This gear traps, injures, mutilates and kills hundreds of thousands of whales, seals, turtles and birds annually. In July World Animal Protection called on all FN countries to investigate the possibility of using RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) and other ways to ID all commercial fishing gear. Follow their campagin Sea Change for more info.

 

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Turtle in the Saragasso Sea trapped in plastic waste.

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Kaskelot wale (aka Sperm whale) trapped in a ghost net. This giant have lived on earth for more than 25 million years! Photo copyright Alberto Romeo/Marine Photobank.

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Seal trapped in a ghost net in the waters of UK (2018). Photo copyright World Animal Protection.

 

 

Animal Rights, Compassionates, No Plastic 2018-08-09

Icon goes electric!

The iconic EM77 vacuum jug by Erik Magnussen has adorned coffee tables around the world for over 40 years! Stelton now complete the EM77 series with a cordless electric kettle. Not as sleek as the original but yet handsome and with great functionality. If the kettle turns out as popular as the jug we’ll hopefully soon see the famous Stelton colour palette in use; for some years now they’ve upgraded the colour schemes of the 60s, adding a contemporary feel to their classic Scandi style. Meanwhile the EM77 kettle is available in colours white, black and light grey.

EM77 kettle by Stelton

EM77 vacuum jug, tea/coffee maker, electric kettle, by Erik Magnussen (1940–2014) for Stelton (1977 and 2018). Kettle in ABC plastic/stainless steel, cordless with removable limescale filter, dry boil safety switch, automatic switch off after boiling, size 13,3×20,5 cm (1,5 l). Photo copyright Stelton.

Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics 2018-08-08

Sustainability: kitchen

Take a look at our pic from a fetaure for an interior mag; do you find it stylish? Do you acknowledge some contemporary design? Or perhaps something classic? Do you consider the setting sustainable?

It is not always obvious why one interior is environmental friendly, and another not. Here the kitchen is a standard Ikea, environmental friendly produced in certified wood. The top though is exclusive, bespoke environmental friendly carrera marble. The glass wall is chosen for its ability to cope with longtime wear and an easy recycling. The classic handles are simple, massive brass, also very easy to dismantle and recycle. Dishbrush, washing-up liquid and handsoap are of organic, recycled origin. The dishcloth is from Växbo Lin, woven in linen and possible to use, wash and reuse during many years! The small storage is by Iittala, an international Scandi brand with sustainable production scheme. The pair of scissors, in steel with wooden handles are made by Granit, a small Swedish producer keen on sustainability. So is the plastic hanger for the dishbrush. And finally, the paint used for wall, window and cabinets is eco-certified and the herbs are of organic origin.
What does this tell you? Perhaps that with the slightest effort you can find environmental friendly ”alterantives” while decorating your home. And it will look great! With a bit of planning and reserarch even the smallest budget will make fab!

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Sustainability in the kitchen. From a feature by Cia Wedin for Lantliv. Photo copyright Stellan Herner.

Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, Iittala, Ikea 2018-08-07
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