Scandimood

Translating movement with GamFratesi

How do you translate a movement into a physical shape? With the Suspence™ lamp series Danish/Italian design duo GamFratesi created the form by pulling. The tensile force is visible at the top of the lamp, at the little tip! The natural soft curve of the lamps body is ”very GamFratesi” and the designers manage to make classic elegance blend into contemporary minimalism by working with small, subtle gestures. Notice the infinity diffuser in the pendant! And how the Nomad version is designed to be moved around, indoors but also ”on the terrace on a cosy summer evening”. While awaiting summer the Suspence™ lamp has, with its conceptual as well as functional approach to lighting, potential to be a favorite in many a Scandi homes.

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Suspence Pendant, by GamFratesi for Lightyears (2016). White matte, light grey matte or black matte lacquer with white, grey and black cord. Aluminum, polycarbonate. Two sizes: 240 c 225 mm and 385 x 361 mm. Photo copyright Lightyears.

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Suspence Pendant, by GamFratesi for Lightyears (2016). Photo copyright Lightyears.

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Suspence Nomad, by GamFratesi for Lightyears (2016). White opal polyethylene body with 4 m grey or red cord. Photo copyright Lightyears.

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Suspense Nomad, by GamFratesi for Lightyears (2016). Photo copyright Lightyears.

Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, In the Season, Okategoriserade 2016-09-26

The stylish limited edition

Since some years the Scandi brands have taken to launch a limited F/W collection. This Fall we see lots of limited editions, may it be a collectors item, like Gloria Solid Silver by Broberg & Ridderstråle for Klong. Or a sassy raincoat from Stutterheim…Let’s take a look:

Swedish eco-brand Klong celebrate 15 years by presenting an anniversary collection focusing on innovation and sustainability and the combo creative art + fine craftsmanship. Among the objects, Gloria Solid Silver by Broberg & Ridderstråle, is a given collectors item. Gloria is handmade in collaboration with acknowledged jewellery designer and goldsmith Rey Urban (1929–2015).

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Gloria Solid Silver, candle holder by Broberg & Ridderstråle for Klong (2016). Sterling silver, 41 x 44 x 7,5 cm. Photo copyright Klong.

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Gloria Solid Silver, candle holder by Broberg & Ridderstråle for Klong (2016). Sterling silver, handmade by Rey Urban. Photo copyright Klong.

Fritz Hansen knows how to make their iconic chairs, like The Ant™ by Arne Jacobsen (1952) trendy and contemporary. In Fritz Hansen’s limited edition Choice 2016 The Ant™ is dressed in a warm grey-dyed oak veneer with powder-coated bronze legs which lends a subtly weathered look to this sleek beauty.

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The Ant™ by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen (1952) in grey-dyed oak veneer and powder-coated bronze legs (2016). Photo copyright Fritz Hansen.

And who but Swedish brand Stutterheim (”Melancholy at its driest”) launches an edition of rain gear both stylish and trendy! Coat Odenplan comes in black, green, navy and sand.

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Odenplan Green by Stutterheim (2016). Handmade crombie coat in waterproof bonded cotton. Photo copyright Stutterheim.

Arne Jacobsen, Broberg & Ridderstråle, Contemporary Scandi, Friends, Fritz Hansen, In the Season, Stutterheim 2016-09-24

The Bright Eyed Survivor

In 1985 ALF – Animal Liberation Front, raided a laboratory belonging to the University of California. 468 animals were rescued, among them Britches, a stump-tailed macaque infant. Britches had been taken from his mother instantly when born, had his eyelids sewn shut, and an electronic sonar device attached to his head. He was intended to be part of a three-year sensory-deprivation study involving 24 infant monkeys. ALF filmed the raid and handed the film over to PETA – People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. When published, the story of Britches helped to raise awareness to the horrific abuse of millions of animals yearly in so called scientific research. Now PETA has published a shorter version of the original film. You’ll find both versions below. Let’s put an end to animal testing and cruel experiments on animals by choosing cruelty free certified products, including cruelty free design.

When he was five months old, Britches was flown to Primarily Primates sanctuary in San Antonio, Texas, where he was given to an elderly female macaque who had already raised several orphans. Britches lived at the sanctuary for twenty years, until he passed away in 2005.

The story of Britches, original film copyright PETA 1986.

Animal Rights, Videos 2016-09-17

Erskines Box of Wonders

Ralph Erskines ”Lådan” (The Box) from 1941–1942 is one famous Swedish building! It is also a famous home. With only 20 squaremetres for himself, his wife Ruth and their two small children, Erskine had to invent space-saving furniture; the bed hung in ropes from the cealing, and doubled as a sofa, the working table folded into the bookshelf and so on. Lådan become known for its aesthetics and clever solutions and since long this small house stand as an architectual role model in the collective mind of Swedes longing for a simple (summer) dwelling.

On three occasions during September and October 2016 (18th + 25th of September, 16th of October) Lådan is open to the public. If in Stockholm, take the chance to experience an iconic house! An arrangement by ArkDes, The Swedish Center for Architecture and Design. Free entrance. For information on how to get to Lovön, see ArkDes.

Erskines Lådan Lovön

Lådan was originally built in Lissma, south of Stockholm, as a permanent home. It had no electricity, no running water and no wc. The Erskine family lived 4 years in Lådan, before moving closer to town. Lådan was well-built, but the materials did not survive over time and gradually it subsided into nature. In 1989, under supervision by Erskine, Lådan was rebuilt in Lovön, Stockholm. Photos (above and below) of Lådan exterior copyright ArkDes.

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Lådan livingroom

Lådan kitchen

Lådan livingroom and worktable

Lådan interiors. Photo copyright Åke E:son Lindman.

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Erskines Lådan back side

Ralph Erskine at his worktable in Lådan

Black and white images of Ralph Erskine and Lådan. Photo copyright ArkDes Collections.

Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, Scandimood 2016-09-07

Dancing into the ethics

As I prepared an update on the Ethics of Design and A Cruelty Free Approach to Design this happy moment crossed my path!

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Dog groomer and rescue activist Luis Caballero at Pet Shop Perrito Feliz in Buenos Aires love dogs. Sometimes compassion comes with fun. If you’ve ever shared such a moment with a likewise happy puppy…you’ll never buy a design item made from dog skin. Some animal individuals doesn’t like playful interaction in human terms and you might end up dancing before your bored or embarrassed (?) pet… but if you are lucky it is a way of building friendship between human and animal. It all depends of the setting: ”Dancing” with an abused monkey, bear or elephant is nothing but misery. Dancing with a puppy as in having fun together may help raise the status of dogs and help putting an end to the dog leather trade.
Video copyright Gabriela Caballero.

Undercover investigation video of Chinese dog leather trade, copyright PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

Animal Rights, Compassionates, Videos 2016-09-04

I like Kind

Kind is Cool. That’s all.

So many of you readers have asked about the ethics of design, e g how to detect and choose cruelty free design. I’ll be back to you soon with some thoughts on the matter. Today: a pic of me and my pony Kickan. The sweet personality and ever loving friend who tought me how to be kind.

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Me and my pony Kickan preparing for a jumping competition (with bars on a 15 cm level). Photo copyright Kjell Bollnert for Aftonbladet (1964).

Animal Rights, Friends, Scandimood 2016-08-18

Trippel goes contemporary!

I like design which is kind of ”open” to interpretation and change. Trippel by late Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg is such an object. The marble effect on the surface is created by using three different yarn blends. Trippel is elegant, the look almost like that of a high-quality suit. By adding a ten centimetre wide border in five different colour combinations, Trippel 2016 goes from classic to contemporary. Without loosing in visuality.

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Trippel woven rug orange/turquoise 720, by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg for Kasthall (2016). 100% wool on linen warp. Photo copyright Kasthall.

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Trippel woven rug (detail) orange/turquoise 720, by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg for Kasthall (2016). 100% wool on linen warp. Photo copyright Kasthall.

Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, Kasthall 2016-08-11

Panton Music

When Verner Panton (1926–1998) visited Malaysia in the 60s he found some seashells on the beach and got inspired by their beautiful form and texture. Back in Denmark Panton designed Verpan, the now iconic pendant, where seashells are used to create a ”lampshade” which now and then gives off a sweet tinkling ”music” as the shells touches each other. It is very poetic. And Panton was delighted when he learned that by buying the seashells directly from people in poor countries the production of the lamp also gave people work. To celebrate Verner Pantons 90th anniversary, a new version of the lamp is presented. It is called Panton FUN and comes in a polished brass finish and mother of pearl coloured seashells. .

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Panton FUN 10DM pendant – 90th Anniversary Edition, in brass finish and mother of pearl coloured seashells. Originally designed by Verner Panton (1964). Photo copyright Verpan.

Compassionates, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly 2016-08-09

Pure Morris

Pure Morris is a new collection wallpaper from Morris & Co. The collection recreates eight of William Morris’ finest originals dating back to the 1800’s, including Pure Strawberry Thief, Pure Poppy and Pure Bachelor’s Button. There’s also a new version of the lovely Willlow Bough.

7-morris-pure-wallpaper-archive-documents-sunflower-black-white-natural New take on William Morris: The Pure Morris collection focus on William Morris’ very skilled original drawings for his patterns on wallpaper and textile.

DMCW210490_zoom Willow Bough wallpaper by William Morris (1887). In Cream/Pale Green as we’re used to see it. Photo copyright Morris & Co.

DJA1WB103_zoom …and the sweet Blue. Photo copyright Morris & Co.

DMPU216024_zoom Pure Willow Bough by William Morris, in Eggshell/Chalk. Photo copyright Morris & Co.

DMPU216023_zoom Pure Willow Bough By William Morris, in Ecru/Silver. Photo copyright Morris & Co.

DMPU216025_zoom Pure Willow Bough by William Morris, in Dove/Ivory. Photo copyright Morris & Co.

Compassionates, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly 2016-08-06

Thinking Cosy

The short but beautiful summer season of Stockholm Old Town is coming to its end. We’ve seen sun and heavy rain. Every other day actually! The evenings are getting darker and the air is slightly cool. Now it’s time to turn to cosy blankets, and tea and a good book and a cat in the lap!

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Lento lounge chair and low table by Harri Koskinen for Artek. Eco throws (from top) by Elvang, Himla, Klippan and Foxford. Table and stool from Norrgavel, stool in ash naturel from Melo, lamp from Paris au mois d’août, carpet Grid by Jessica Signell Knutsson for Asplund and eco bedlinen by Harry’s Hardware. annakern_sovrum2

Wallpaper Annika by Sandberg Wallpaper, table Tati by Broberg & Ridderstråle for Asplund, lamp Tab by Barber & Osgerby for Flos, carpet Convex by Pia Wallén for Asplund. Chair Kvilt by Nina Jobs for Gärsnäs, table Bowl by Andreas Engesvik for Fogia, floor lamp Tab by Barberg & Osgerby for Flos.

Eco bedroom, interior piece for Lantliv SE by Cia Wedin. Photo copyright Anna Kern. And yes, the cat model is Baby, our sweet, demanding studio boss! You’ll find more pics of B in the link ”No Plastic” to the right.

Andreas Engesvik, Anna Kern, Asplund, Barber & Osgerby, Broberg & Ridderstråle, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Fab Swedes, Fogia, Friends, In the Season, Scandimood 2016-08-06

Le Café Mollien!

For several years Paris was my home and inspiration. How many an hour have I not spent strolling around in the great halls of Musée du Louvre. Especially the Denon wing, that´s where Mona Lisa smiles her little smile… I never attended the café Mollien as it lacked style and felt very out of place. But the new Le Café Mollien by Mathieu Lehanneur (2016) is nothing less than a marvel. The contemporary design blends perfectly well with the air of the Denon wing, and the grandeur of the space is restored.

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Looking to the right…How does one choose: chair, armchair, stool or perhaps that cosy little bench in the alcove?

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Looking to the left…Great lamp bulbs in pink glass, and furniture in white wood, marble and brass!

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Looking out over the city of Paris…

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…and the terasse! Imagine spending an hour there in company of the ”Lunch Formula Molliers”!

The menu is printed on a canvas. Fine detail in Le Café Molliers by Mathieu Lehanneur (2016). All photos copyright Le Louvre and Michel Giesbrecht.

…and this is what the old café Mollien looked like…

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Skärmavbild 2016-08-02 kl. 13.14.26

Architectual moves, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics 2016-08-02

Finland no 1 EPI 2016

According to EPI, the environmental performance index 2016, Finland is now the greenest country in the world! Followed by Iceland, Sweden and Denmark. EPI ranks 180 countries’ performance on high-priority environmental issues in two areas: protection of human health and protection of ecosystems. One aspect of design production is wastewater. The report states that 23% of the countries still lack any kind of wastewater treatment! Remember the tanning mills of India? Or the plastic waste in the oceans? Or the abuse of animals in factory farming? You can make a difference by asking yourself: Where, how and of what is the design item made?

Lets go environmental friendly and cruelty free. To humans, animals and nature.

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Finland, the country of sustainable design! Savoy vase by Alvar Aalto for Iittala. Photo copyright Iittala.

Alvar Aalto, Contemporary Scandi, Eco Aesthetics, Environmental friendly, Iittala, Scandimood 2016-07-29

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