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It was with much excitement that I headed back to Oslo last week to take in the sights and sounds of Designers’ Saturday. Running over three consecutive days, Norway’s largest biannual design and interior event brings together not only hundreds of exhibitors but thousands of visitors too.
With the theme of ‘Repurpose’ at its core, for 2025, whether product launches by much-loved brands, panel talks and presentations by leading designers, or the open studio tours by cutting edge creatives, all explored how design can contribute to more conscious choices, innovative thinking, and smarter resource use.
Offering the best in furniture and lighting, textiles and accessories, kitchens and flooring, there certainly was something to inspire everyone at Designers’ Saturday, and why I wanted to share more with you about the pieces that caught my attention most:
Dahl Chandelier from Northern
I’ve had a real soft spot for Northern for years and have several of their products in my home, but this latest launch the ‘Dahl Chandelier’ stopped not just me in my tracks.
First designed by the pioneering Birger Dahl in 1956 as a commission for Norway’s Parliament building it was only recently that the original drawings where rediscovered. Working closely with the Dahl family, Northern, who already produce his ‘Birdy’ lighting series and ‘Dokka’ pendant, have once again ensured that this reintroduction, along with its accompanying pendant and wall lamp for that matter, remain true to their mid-century vision while also being carefully and considerately adapted for how we live now.
Striking to look at when not in use, but giving your room a refined soft glow after dark, this timeless luminaire, which forms part of the brand’s twentieth anniversary celebrations, comes with small or large mouth-blown glass shades and either a completely brass or black with brass details finish.
Echoes rug collection from Volver
Whatever Norwegian designer Kristine Five Melvær turns her hand to, it’s always a product to take note of; and her latest collection for rug makers Volver is no exception. Part of the DS (Designers’ Saturday) Collab, an initiative that brings a selected number of designers and manufacturers together especially for this event, ‘Echoes’ draws on the layers of life and the memories we carry with us.
Developing the final products alongside Volver founder Ksenia Stanishevski, Kristine’s rugs are hand-tufted and handwoven, and consist of three delightful designs, with each one available in three beautiful colour combinations and handy sizes.
Transforming your floor space into a landscape of memory, presence and legacy, choose from the softly repetitive ‘Veil’, which evokes the beginning of our experiences, the bold ‘Imprint’ which captures meaningful encounters, or ‘Trace’ which is designed to reflect what remains, acting as a visual memory map.
Iden dining chair from ygg&lyng
Another collaboration well worth mentioning was between local designer Vilde Hagelund’s and Ygg&Lyng. I’ll be honest I wasn’t aware of this brand beforehand but, with its mix of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary characteristics, safe to say I’ll be going back to it again.
Taking its name from the words idea and identity, a reflection of both the product’s design journey and its final form, Vilde says her ‘Iden’ dining chair was inspired by the form of arches, which is played out in the flowing lines and gentle curves of the seat and backrest.
Warm, strong and beautiful, as well as made with traditional wood moulding and jointing techniques, ‘Iden’ is made to be used and enjoyed everyday, but is sure to leave a lasting impression on your dinner guests too.
Bast coffee table from ForaForm
Designed by Norwegian born, but London based Hunting & Narud, ForaForm’s latest coffee table ‘Bast’ is built on the idea of reuse and repair.
Aimed primarily at the commercial market, but just as suited to a domestic setting, every component of this innovative piece is removable and replaceable. From the oak legs and tabletop coming flat packed, to the four floating brackets made from recycled and untreated aluminium used to join them together, every detail gives it a structural strength and aesthetic lightness.
Available in three sizes, and developed to work in an endless combination of colours and finishes, choose from a natural wood, a bespoke linoleum, or my personal favourite, Larvikite from Lundhs Real Stone.
Minu chair from HÅG
Oslo based designer Andreas Engesvik has been very busy indeed. Along with his ‘Gaia’ sofa for furniture brand LK Hjelle, he also revealed his latest chair for Flokk brand HÅG during the event.
Expanding on their reputation for ergonomic innovation as well as comfort, unlike other products the ‘Minu’ has been especially developed for those working from home. Combining a warm, modern look it presents itself more as a piece of furniture than something you’d see in an office.
Available in five fresh colours; orange, blue, purple, beige and black, the fully upholstered seat and backrest also come in an array of fabric options so it can be mixed and matched to its surroundings. Available to order from January 2026, finally freelancers everywhere may have found just the seating solution we have been searching for, but don’t tell my dinning chair that!
Thank you again to everyone involved in Designers’ Saturday for inviting me along, I’m already looking forward to seeing you in 2027.
To find out more about Designers’ Saturday and the brands featured, visit their website.
Final image by Nicola Capper, all other images courtesy of Designers’ Saturday and the brands mentioned.
Enjoyed this post? Then read more about Norwegian design and another very special event I attended as part of London Design Week recently.
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