How does Norwegian design stand out from its Scandi neighbours? What values underpin something that’s ‘Made in Norway,’ and what does Norwegian design bring to our interior spaces? These are just some of the questions that got answered at a very special event I attended as part of London Design Week recently.
Held at the Jensen Beds showroom within the Design Centre in Chelsea Harbour, and co-hosted by the Norwegian Embassy in London, the ‘Essence of Norwegian Design Excellence,’ began with a warm and welcoming installation of furniture, lighting and home accessories carefully curated by multidisciplinary design studio Hunting and Narud.
“We are very much a material-driven design studio, so we focused on selecting pieces with a strong material narrative,” Amy Hunting tells me. “We wanted to show how these pieces work together, while also having tactile qualities that invite interaction.”
Following on from this was a panel discussion which included representatives from Eikund, Lundhs Real Stone, Northern and Norsk Dun, who despite on first appearances producing very different products, it soon turned out are all influenced and inspired by the same set of core values.
“We combine beauty with functionality, and prefer natural materials and genuine craftsmanship,” says Michelle Alger from Northern, when asked about how Norway as a place is reflected in its design. “With its rugged landscapes and clear blue waters, dramatic horizons reflected in breath-taking fjords, Norway is filled with talent and imagination.”
“Our sense of place is deeply rooted in every single product,” says Ben Ayling, from Lundhs Real Stone. “Crafted by nature millions of years ago we extract our stones from the Oslo Rift, which runs to the south coast at Larvik, and as a result each block has a unique set of qualities, whether it’s in colour, grain or finish.”
And while Norway may have traditionally taken a back seat to its Scandinavian neighbours when it comes to design presence, thanks in recent years to the success of a new generation of talented names, including the likes of Anderssen & Voll, Morten & Jonas, Kristine Five Melvær and Studio Sløyd the limelight is certainly shifting.
“At Eikund we bring Norwegian designs back to life”, says CEO Jørgen Tengesdal, having flown in from Stavanger especially for the event. “When we started, we travelled around Norway sourcing drawings of long-lost furniture direct from the families. We now have fifteen designs in production, but hundreds more in our archive.”
And with Northern celebrating its twentieth birthday this year it would appear this success is set to continue. “Our creative reach now goes beyond our heritage,” Michelle adds. “Norwegian design is fun, functional and thoughtful. Designed with the potential to make any setting unique, Northern’s products add atmosphere to any space as well as reveal a new vision for Nordic style.”
As a Native Norwegian herself, I ask Amy after the event about her design favourites, to which she tells me, “This event was all about showcasing a handful of Norwegian brands and giving them a platform. There are so many great pieces, especially now with the design scene being more diverse than ever.”
If there’s one thing the ‘Essence of Norwegian Design Excellence’ proves, it’s that there is always more to learn and discover about this distinctive design nation, but finally it feels that this part of the Nordic region is getting the creative credit it rightly deserves.
Want to know more?
To find out more about those in this post, click on the following links:
Eikund, Lundhs Real Stone, Northern, Norsk Dun, Jensen Beds, Hunting and Narud.
All images courtesy of the brands featured.
Enjoyed this post? Then take a tour of Hoj House, a family home in London that blends Victorian architecture with Scandinavian style.
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