This week all eyes have been on the Swedish capital for Stockholm Design Week 2024. Handily coinciding with Stockholm Furniture Fair, as well as a whole host of fringe events, this must-visit extravaganza has been the place to be for all those looking for Nordic design inspiration.
Over the course of the five busy days, thousands of visitors have flocked to exhibitions, installations, openings and parties as leading brand names from across the region and beyond simultaneously unveil their latest launches.
Alongside this, attendees were welcomed with a large-scale installation by research-based design studio Formafantasma. An arena showcasing progressive young design brands and emerging talent was launched under the name, ‘New Ventures’, and the second edition of the Scandinavian Design Awards took place too.
Safe to say there has been lots to get excited about, from stand-out pieces, incredible collaborations through to pioneering ideas and innovative materials. So, here’s more about some of my highlights:
Peace by Vaarnii x Faye Toogood
Heading to Stockholm Design Week for the first time this year and receiving much acclaim was Finnish furniture and lighting company Vaarnii. Launched in 2021 by Antti Hirvonen and Miklu Silvanto, Vaarnii aspires to take furniture-making back to its essentials, creating simple objects that serve a purpose.
While I’m already a huge fan of several of their pieces, what caught my eye was their collaboration with acclaimed British designer Faye Toogood. An incredibly exciting addition to Vaarnii’s growing outdoor range, the ‘Peace Lounge Chair’ and matching ‘Footstool’ is intended to facilitate a closer connection to nature and landscape. Made from exaggerated large planks of heat-treated Finnish pine, the idea is that once positioned in their location these tough, yet generous, pieces become a place to visit for generations to come.
Relief by String Furniture
It’s a big year for String Furniture as the iconic Swedish furniture brand celebrates its 75th anniversary. With a number of exciting launches, collaborations and activities planned, it was their new ‘Relief’ modular system that took centre stage during Stockholm Design Week.
Designed by the award-winning TAF Studio, it consists of a series of chest of drawers and hook rails that can be connected and mixed together to create a bespoke storage system for any space. Available in three different dimensions and five coloured finishes, from a paired back ash to a highly saturated orange, every detail has been designed with meticulous care so that it works just as well as a stand-alone piece of furniture as it does in larger, connected groups.
BUD by Fora Form
As someone who has spent years now sat writing in a dining chair each day, I’m always on the lookout for the perfect design that would fit seamlessly in my home, while also providing my back with the comfort it craves.
‘BUD’ the latest launch from Norwegian furniture makers Fora Form could be just the answer. Designed by the award-winning duo Skogstad & Wærnes, this fab looking chair is functional as well as fun. With four base variations to choose from; ‘Stack’, ‘Rotate’, ‘Unite’ and ‘Meet’ depending on your requirements, as well as a rainbow of colours and textile finishes to choose from, I particularly loved the ‘Pigeon Blue’ and Kvadrat/Raf Simons ‘Ria’ fabric combination they had on display.
Canvas by Nordgröna
Specialising in designs that increase the wellbeing of people when using them, Swedish company Nordgröna have been on my radar for a while, and they have certainly captured everyone’s attention this week.
Their latest creation ‘Canvas’ I feel bridges the gap between commercial spaces and everyday homes beautifully. Made from natural, hand-picked Scandinavian reindeer moss, each oak-framed panel can be fully customised in size, pattern and colour. These pieces are not just a work of art, but also a highly effective sound absorber too, with the soft reindeer regulating its own humidity and requiring no maintenance its sure to make a much-loved statement in any setting.
Birds 1967 by Design House Stockholm
Finally for much-loved Scandi favourite Design House Stockholm, their Stockholm Design Week exhibition revolved around no less than five launches. While personally I loved both the new ‘Gardener’s Sofa’ by Eva Schildt and the ‘Olivia Chair’ by Tatu Laakso, it will be ‘Birds 1967’ that grabs all the headlines.
Created by Swedish ceramicist and designer Lisa Larson back in 1967, this lost flock has spent the past sixty years nesting first at the family’s summer house in South Sweden, and then at her studio outside of Stockholm. Richly decorated in oversized Flower Power patterns, they are a true celebration of a life lived, and testimony to a time of hope and happiness.
To find out more about the event and the brands featured, visit the Stockholm Design Week website.
All images courtesy of the brands featured.
Enjoyed reading this post? Then find out more about a number of new Nordic design pieces all inspired by the past.
Leave a Reply