As the design community heads to this year’s Stockholm Furniture Fair, I’ve had the pleasure of finding out more about one Swedish brand who first exhibited at the event over a century ago, Grythyttan Stålmöbler.
Founded in 1895 by the Lindqvist family and still based in the small village that shares its name, outdoor furniture makers Grythyttan Stålmöbler are now firmly part of Swedish design history. With the same emphasis still placed on combining craftsmanship and community four generations later, I chatted to Karl Lindqvist to find out more about them, and why, after 130 years in business they are now coming to the UK.
Here’s what Karl had to tell me:
Can you start by introducing Grythyttan Stålmöbler and telling us what your role at the company is?
I have been CEO at Grythyttan Stålmöbler for 30 years but recently decided to take a step back and become a senior advisor as it was my great-grandfather who started the company. Also called Karl Lindqvist, back then it was a blacksmith’s workshop but come the 1930s, his son and my grandfather, Artur had ideas that went beyond horseshoes and axes and transferring their skills into making furniture.
Artur was inspired to create functional and beautiful things that people could use every day. So, for the Stockholm Exhibition in 1930, he designed and manufactured the now classic A2 armchair made of spring steel, and you could say we haven’t looked back since.
What for you sets Grythyttan Stålmöbler apart from other outdoor furniture brands?
To this day almost everything we produce is made by hand, with meticulous attention paid in the selection of the raw materials and every step of the manufacturing. The steel is bent carefully to get the unique spring effect, and every piece of PEFC or FSC-certified oak, teak and pine we use is sorted and inspected to ensure each product has a matching grain and finished to the highest quality.
Our heritage also continues to be an important part of who we are too. There’s a tremendous pride and knowledge that has been passed down through the generations, with many who work here today having relatives or parents, even grandparents, who worked here in the past. It makes for an exceptional product, that comes with a 130-year legacy. We still sell spare parts for the furniture my grandfather manufactured in the 1940s!
Which series of Grythyttan Stålmöbler furniture is your favourite and why?
That’s an almost impossible question, but I think it depends on the context in which when and where the furniture is enjoyed. The A2 for instance is a modern classic and gives you the most comfortable and restful moments imaginable, and together with one of the Classic tables makes a great combination for the garden or patio.
That said the High-Tech, which was designed by the legendary Nisse Strinning is slimmer, stylish and fits perfectly in smaller spaces like balconies; we often find it outside restaurants too. Just like the more rustic Brewery, which is more traditional and has its origins in late 19th century café culture, or the modern looking and powder coated Libelle which is particularly suitable for parks and cafés.
Even though Grythyttan Stålmöbler is a heritage brand, why is it only now becoming available in the UK?
We have always been a conservative family business, and our brand and products are more or less synonymous with premium outdoor furniture in the Nordics which has been a very comfortable position. But we recently got a lot of attention during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, from the public and garden professionals alike, which made us decide to start distribution in the UK. Sold exclusively at first through SCP, we are now very excited to be offered by a growing number of well-known names.
What are Grythyttan Stålmöbler doing differently this summer and what should we look out for?
Summer 2025 will see the High-Tech series launched in four new colours: Petrol, Ivory, Chestnut and Black. They blur the boundary between outdoor and indoor environments, which gives the furniture a contemporary expression that really stand out and makes for fresh opportunities.
The A2 and Classic series have also been given a new look too, with a lacquered light green oak on a black frame. My favourite though is probably the A2 in oiled pine with a green frame, it looks very contemporary and traditional at the same time just like Grythyttan Stålmöbler!
Want to know more?
Thanks again to Karl for chatting with me, I know I can’t wait to get back out in the garden and the new Black High Tech could be just the refresh my outdoor space needs for 2025 too.
To find out more about Grythyttan Stålmöbler, their products, and to find your nearest stockist, visit their website.
Alternatively, to find out more about Stockholm Furniture Fair, who is exhibiting, and how to buy tickets, click here.
All images courtesy of Grythyttan Stålmöbler.
Enjoyed reading this post? Then come with me on a virtual trip to Malin Nilsson’s Swedish garden for all seasons, located just outside the city of Helsingborg in the coastal village of Råå.
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