Highlights From Our Visit to Stockholm Design Week & Furniture Fair 2019.

The Baker’s House – an intimate and deeply personal installation by Färg Blanche presented inside the house Emma Marga Blanche’s great great grandfather built 140 years ago. Photography by Nick Hughes.

The Baker’s House installation by Färg Blanche. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Outside Note’s studio on Stockholm’s ultra hip Södermalm island. How amazing is the snow? Swoon! Photography by Nick Hughes.

Inside Note’s super tidy studio space. Image above shows the model of their ‘Snowtopped’ installation for Tarkett. (Scroll down to see the photos of the actual installation IRL below.) Photography by Nick Hughes.

In a show curated by My Residence, the grand timber-lined interiors of The Fenix Palace in Stockholm formed the perfect backdrop for the young Japanese furniture brand Ariake’s collection. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Ariake and My Residence at The Fenix Palace. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Ariake and My Residence at The Fenix Palace. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Ariake and My Residence at The Fenix Palace. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Dux furniture installation at Alma, Stockholm, designed by Norm Architects. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Dux at Alma, Stockholm. I fell in love with all of Bruno Mathsson’s classic pieces. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Fogia’s spectacular concept store and showroom in Finnboda Varv, Stockholm. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Fogia market. Photography by Nick Hughes.

One of my personal highlights from the week: ‘Heritage’ by Luca Nichetto – a sublime Murano glass lighting collection inspired by Josef Frank’s ‘Terrazzo’ textile, comissioned by Svenskt Tenn. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Another favourite from the week: an exciting collaborative exhibition by Bukowskis x Magniberg dubbed ”Sie Wohnen Hier”. Antiques meet, and sometimes clash with contemporary design and art, creating a delicious visual tension. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Bukowskis x Magniberg ”Sie Wohnen Hier”. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Bukowskis x Magniberg ”Sie Wohnen Hier”. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Mama Yellowtrace with Costas Voyatsis (Yatzer) at Snowtopped installation by Note Design Studio for Tarkett. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Stockholm’s snowy rooftops (swoon!) and me (Dana) with Berryl Hsu, IDEAT China and Costas on our way to present the Editor’s Choice Awards at Stockholm Furniture Fair. “Guys, let’s go!”. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Ahhh, snowy Stockholm… You’re all right, you know. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Sooooo….. We finally made it to Stockholm this year, you guys. Can you believe it? Except, at this point, the whole trip already feels like a distant memory, but boy was it real while we were there.

The invite to Stockholm came back in early June last year, when I was asked to take part in Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair’s 4th annual Editor’s Choice Awards for Rising Star, Best Stand and Best Product at the fair. How could I refuse, of course, especially given that Stockholm is only an easy 24-hour flight from Sydney? Ha! But for us, Aussies, pretty much everywhere if far away, so I jumped at the opportunity to visit the design event that’s been very high on my radar for the last few years.

This year’s guests of honour at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2019 – Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu of Shanghai-based Neri&Hu – were invited to create an installation inside the entrance foyer of the fair Photography by Nick Hughes.

Neri&Hu’s spectacular oil stained timber installation was the duo’s way of highlighting the social issues in China to an international audience – i.e. the country’s disappearing villages, rural life and rich folklore. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Rossana Hu standing in the entrance of Neri&Hu’s installation at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2019. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Design Bar by Norwegian studio Anderssen & Voll was inspired by Scandinavian atriums and Japanese aesthetics. The structure encircled an intimate courtyard, which set the stage for the restaurant/ bar and Stockholm Design & Architecture Talks. Photography by Nick Hughes.

BAUX won the Editor’s Choice Award for best stand, constructed using the world’s first 100% biodegradable sound-absorbent material, Baux Acoustic Pulp, which launched at the Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair 2019. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Left: Artek stand. Right: Brdr. Krüger stand. Photography by Nick Hughes.

String stand, beautifully styled by Lotta Agaton. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Timeless classics by Swedish modernist furniture designer and architect Bruno Mathsson. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Left: Another personal favourite from the fair – Curve collection by Front for Zero Lighting. Right: Orsjo Belysning lighting collection. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Beautiful stand and product by new to me rug brand Ogeborg. Stand designed by Note Design Studio. Photography by Nick Hughes.

As someone who’s watched Stockholm Furniture Fair & Design Week closely from afar (an oxymoron, I realise), I had high expectations from the week that’s been leaving a steady trail of Scandinavian Design Bombs all over the internet. So naturally, my expectations were high.

The fair was a fantastic opportunity to see Scandinavian brands on home turf. The fair itself is intimate, (mostly) really beautifully presented and well edited. Although perhaps not the most groundbreaking design event of them all, the fair presents a fantastic snapshot of where Scandinavian design and all of its major brands are at right now.

Anyway, there’s so much more I could bang on about (you guys know me, right?) but I will let Nick’s amazing photos do most of the talking, with perhaps some of my comment in the captions help you navigate all the wonderful things we saw during the week.

Related:
Best In Show: Stockholm Furniture Fair 2018.
Best In Show: Stockholm Furniture Fair 2017.
Best in Show: Stockholm Furniture Fair 2016.

Ogeborg stand by Note Design Studio. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Left: Pholc Lighting. Right: Mitab furniture. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Massproductions stand. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Swedese stand. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Friends & Founders. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Left: Møbel. Right: Fogia. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Left: Emeco. Right: Pedrali. Photography by Nick Hughes.

 Left: Zilio A&C. Right: Carl Hansen & Son. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Jot Jot stand. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Left: Menu. Right: Muuto. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Swedish Ninja. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Tom Dixon. Not bad. Not bad at all. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Bolon. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Kvadrat. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Favourite new discovery – Vieser x Durat. Durat is a composite material made of 30% recycled plastic. The product, which itself is 100% recyclable, is manufactured by crushing the recycled plastic into granules, creating interesting, 3D surfaces with a warm, silky feel. This durable material is cast into sheets with almost three hundred colour tones and nine different prints available. Photography by Nick Hughes.

NM& – A New Collection produced for Swedish Nationalmuseum stole the show at this year’s fair. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Somewhat controversially, the entire collection was awarded the Editor’s Choice in the best product category. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Based on the selection shown at the stand dedicated to the ‘NM& – A New Collection’, the design editor’s made the unprecedented decision to give the prize to the whole project. Many of the products on display could have won the best product prize in their own right, so the jury felt the only fair decision was to give the prize to the entire collection, and at the same time acknowledge the brilliant result of the incredibly successful collaboration. Photography by Nick Hughes.

The Editor’s Choice Awards ceremony at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2019. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Marcus Fairs, Dezeen & Dana Tomic Hughes, Yellowtrace announcing Best Stand Award. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Beryl Hsu, IDEAT China and Costas Voyatzis, Yatzer announcing Best Emerging Designer & Best Product category. Photography by Nick Hughes.

Also, just in case this post wasn’t epic enough (hahaha, again, you know me – never accused of under-sharing!), I wanted to give you a little overview of some of my favourite new products released at Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair and Stockholm Design Week.

So much Scando goodness, and a little bit more scrolling to do.

Sorry/ not sorry!

Love always,
Mama Yellowtrace xx

Related:
Best In Show: Stockholm Furniture Fair 2018.
Best In Show: Stockholm Furniture Fair 2017.
Best in Show: Stockholm Furniture Fair 2016.

FURNITURE.

Fogia killed it with another brilliant collection this year, I could’ve easily shared with you every single one of their releases. Here with the new Barba Crmchair by Andreas Engesvik.

Niche club chair by TAF Studio for Fogia.

Utility stool by Norm Architects, Myko chair with Armrests by Stefan Borselius and Persimon Table Lamp by Note for Fogia.

Bond shelving by Main with Barba sofa and Ribbon rugs by Andreas Engesvik for Fogia in the foreground.

New Wave Sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen, Nicolaj Nøddesbo & Tommy Hyldahl for Danish brand NORR 11. Also note the hottest new colour wave from Stockholm – burnt mustard yellow. You probably didn’t hear it here first, but – you know, I thought I’d share anyway.

Dreamy white version of New Wave Sofa from NORR 11.

Novel Chair by Ida Linea Hildebrand for Friends & Founders. Kill me now, I’m so in love.

Another winner from Friends & Founders – FF Chair by Rasmus and Ida Linea Hildebrand. Chrome seems to be making a bit of a comeback. Are we ready? Well, you better be, cause she’s back baby.

Tearoom Club Chair and Sofa by Nick Ross for MENU.

Grid Cabinet by Copenhagen-based Kristina Dam Studio.

Cylinder Lamp by Kristina Dam Studio.

Sculptural Chair by Kristina Dam Studio.

Timber Stool in Natural Oak by Kristina Dam Studio.

Mirror Table + Accessories by Kristina Dam Studio.

Minimal Day bed, Wall Mask & Double Moon Sculpture by Kristina Dam Studio.

Massproductions introduced the Waiter XL chair – a larger model with arms for added comfort, originally launched in Stockholm in 2010. Designed by Chris Martin – no not, the singer guy.

This giant new table from Massproductions is aptly named Colossus. The smallest version measures a whopping 1.8m diameter, and comes with a concrete base and tops in various finishes.

Puddle table by Chris Martin for Massproductions.

Karm Sofa by Studio David Thulstrup for Brdr. Krüger.

F Chair with armrests by Rasmus Bækkel Fex for Brdr. Krüger.

LIGHTING.

Lighting collection by Swedish brand Orsjo Belysning. Photo by Erik Lefvander.

Virvel by Ingegerd Råman for Orsjo Belysning. Photo by Erik Lefvander.

Lighting by Wastberg.

Swedish lighting brand Wästbergand and British architect David Chipperfield unveiled extensions to the w102 chipperfield lamp. Photos by Simon Menges.

Curve at National Museum by Zero.

Curve at National Museum by Zero.

One of my personal favourites from the week was the whimsical Curve light collection designed by Front for Zero Lighting, specifically developed for the Library of the recently renovated National Museum of Sweden. Absolutely divine!

TEXTILES.

Rope Rug by Pauline Deltour for Hem – a contemporary take on traditional carpet crafts using familiar weaving methods and unexpected materials.

Kasthall’s new Soul of Nature rug collection is textural and tonal heaven. Swoon.

Goose Eye Icon Queens by Kasthall.

Diamond Black by Kasthall.

Feather Heron by Kasthall.

Feather Peacock by Kasthall.

Kasthall also collaborated with Monica Khemsurov and Jill Singer, founders of the New York-based online design magazine Sight Unseen, who created two rugs using Kasthall’s new version of web-based design tool Rug Designer. Sweet collaboration dreams right there.

First Symptoms by Kustaa Saksi.

Extraordinary tapestries by Amsterdam-based Finish artist and designer Kustaa Saksi (previously) dubbed First Symptoms. The six unique pieces were made using Jacquard weaving techniques, inspired by the texture from the scientific examination and Saksi ‘s personal experience of migraines. I just don’t know what to say about any of this, other than – fucking WOW man! Photos by Jussi Puikkonen.

First Symptoms by Kustaa Saksi.

First Symptoms by Kustaa Saksi.

GREENHOUSE/ EMERGING DESIGNERS.

Squiggly light by Goteborg University graduate Anna Junebro.

Mirror by Goteborg University graduate Sofie Wallenius.

Undulating timber table by Goteborg University graduate Sanna Schilling.

Owl Floor Lamp by Canadian designer Jamie Wolfond. The design originated from the designer’s fascination with drinking straws – the lamp uses a flexible hose to transmit rotary motion to its shade. This allows for the shade to orbit 360 degrees around the bulb simply by rotating any part of the lamp’s stem.

Jamie Wolfond’s Pal Series utilizes bent laminated timber surfaces as an integral part of the collection’s structure. The result is a lightweight stackable chair, bench and dining table that can be shipped flat and assembled in seconds.

The Neotenic Collection by NYC-based design practice Jumbo. The collection is founded by simple shapes, short thick members, soft edges, and a clumsy appearance, “appealing to our biological imperative to nurture— to see ourselves in our surroundings and cherish the childlike.”

Neotenic Floor Light by JUMBO.

Bacteria lamp by German-born, Stockholm-based industrial designer Jan Klingler. I know what you’re thinking – eww, how gross, and I have to admit that I mirror your sentiment, but somehow these little fuckers are really starting to grow on me… Geddit?

In a crossover between science, art, and industrial design, the bacteria lamp centres on the idea that every living being and place has its own unique and personal microbiological fingerprint. 

Klingler suggests that samples can be taken from people, places or things that hold a position of importance, and are then grown into a unique piece in the form of commissioned work. May it be the location of a first date, a personal souvenir from a memorable journey, or the reminder of loved one far away – the possibilities are as individual as each one of us. Like I said, eww slash wow.

Bacteria lamp by Jan Klingler.

Hand felted wool blankets by Turkish designer Begüm Cana Özgür.

Begüm Cana Özgür’s Haze flat weave rug collection, handwoven by traditional Anatolian weavers.

Lotus floor seating by Begüm Cana Özgür – a flat rug with a cutting pattern that can be shaped into a 3d piece of furniture.

Begüm Cana Özgür is driven by the importance of the emotional bonds formed through the objects. He work explores the qualities that lend a deeper relationship with the user. Özgür’s pieces interpret the local craft traditions of her home country Turkey, but with a contemporary expression.

Winners of the Editor’s Choice Award 2019, Rising Star Category, DIGITALAB is a Portuguese architecture office and design studio, focused on generative design and digital fabrication. Led by Ana Fonseca and Brimet Silva, the young practice develops projects in the areas of product design, art installation, interior design, architecture and digital research.

The duo’s creative exploration of an underused natural material was truly inspiring – in particular, the way they’ve used cork to produce a beautiful fabric that can be used to create various products.

[Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Product images courtesy of designers & brands.]