So next week, the great and the good of Scandinavian design will be heading to Stockholm Design Week.
During the next seven days, two hundred events, seminars and open showrooms will be held across the city, and in the true spirit of Nordic equality and shared happiness, many of the exhibitions are open to the public too.
If like me, you’re in work, rather than heading to Sweden, don’t worry. 2018 has already brought us a wealth of new Nordic treats to get excited about.
Here are my favourites so far:
1. Skandinavisk Hand Care Collection
Five years after launching their amazing home fragrances, this Spring Skandinavisk are adding a collection of hand care products to their range. Complementing our favourite scents, the moisturising hand creams and lotions, as well as the foaming hand washes and soap bars are all designed to nourish and protect you from the harsh winter weather.
2. Marimekko for Clinique
If exciting beauty collaborations are more your thing then these limited edition lip products need to be on your radar. Launching in-store this month, each of the ten powerfully graphic and instantly recognisable Marimekko prints featured on the packaging are taken from the Finnish brand’s archives. They are certainly a must-have for my make-up bag.
3. ‘Ruins’ by First Aid Kit
Music from the Nordic countries seems to be riding a bit of a wave at the moment, with Norwegian pop singer Sigrid named as the winner of BBC Music Sound of 2018. However it’s Sweden’s pop-folk band First Aid Kit I love the most. Ruins is Johanna and Klara Soderberg’s fourth album and if you’re looking for a comforting soundtrack to accompany your hygge or lagom vibes, than this has to be it.
Also I totally recommend seeing the band live, they are amazing. This February they are in the UK too playing dates in Glasgow, Manchester and London, if I had a babysitter I would totally be there!
4. Modus
As you may have guessed by now I’m a bit of a Nordic Noir nerd. When crime thriller Modus hit our screens in late 2016 it certainly fell into my ‘type 2’ definition, with the investigation focussed around the links between a religious fundamentalist group and a trail of death and destruction in Sweden. Based on the best-selling books by Anne Holt, series two is due to start on BBC Four next Saturday. This time we can look forward to appearances from Kim Cattrall (she’s playing the US president) and Greg Wise too.
5. New Nordic Colour by Antonia af Petersens
OK so this book launched in November, but it was its feature in this month’s Elle Decoration that brought it back to my attention. Learn how to interpret colour the Nordic way: with brooding dark blues or fresh pinks, it doesn’t have to be all white walls and grey cushions.
There are some really nice bits here. I could do with some new hand cream. The marimekko clinique collab looks great too.
Thanks, glad you like them, it’s a really interesting pairing I think.
Love First Aid Kits new one and that Clinique collab sounds like it’s worth checking out! Thanks for sharing x
Thanks for the comment! It’s certainly worth checking out, I never need an excuse to visit a Clinique counter x
Oh i have to check your sellection out as i know one brand but will most likely look up the rest fantastic post
Thank you for the kind words, so glad I’ve inspired some further reading!
I’m a huge fan of Marimekko, I’m going to have to check out the Clinique range and see what prints they have used.
It certainly a great way to introduce their famous prints to a new audience!
Great selection of finds Nicola! It’s always nice to treat yourself when you feel like you’re missing out on something you want to do.
I treated myself the other day to lots of Lush products and had a pamper evening! Was much needed 🙂
New Nordic Colour by Antonia af Petersens – OK that’s now in my basket. Are you covering Stockholm design week then?
It will certainly inspire you. May need to do my own round-up from Stockholm next week!
Mmmm, Stockholm Design Week, sounds like a dream of an event. But these are great suggestions to bring the Nordic feel over here. We saw First Aid Kit on the Graham Norton Show and have been meaning to listen to their new album – definitely will now!
Thanks! It certainly would be a dream come true to go, will certainly be sharing my favourite finds.
Marrimekko and Clinique sounds like a great collaboration. Will have to check that out.
What’s not to love! Hope you like it.
Ooh the hand care looks great, as does the Marimekko collection!
Can’t wait to get my hands on both!
I normally go to Stockholm Furniture Fair and am gutted to miss it. As for the New Nordic Colour wow going to book mark that right now.
Thank you so much for commenting. I would love to go back to Stockholm soon, there’s so much to see and do.