Stockholm 2011 Highlights

It’s fair to say we always enjoy the Stockholm Furniture Fair. It’s comfortable to walk around, not too big so you don’t worry you’re going to miss something and most importantly the standard is always high. This year was no exception. While some of the big brands like Vitra and Moroso had a presence, Stockholm is all about the Nordic manufacturers showing what they are capable of and that is simplicity, subtlety and quality. Our favourite new non-Relay product was almost invisible (which is part of the appeal) - Isaac Chen’s Riddle magazine rack for Swedese was simplicity itself. Seven strings hang from a simple piece of lacquered wood with a wooden ball on the other end and gravity adds the magic. Use it as a bookmark and turn your magazines into a piece of art.

Swedese also presented Ivy by Thomas Bernstrand, a deceptively simple bookshelf. Stack the units on top of each other, as usual, or arrange them at angles to add some interest in a plain space. Ivy was awarded the Form +1 award for best product. Further Bernstrand designs were on show at Muuto, Nola, Materia and Horreds. Busy boy!

Also ticking the busy box were Form Us With Love, who went for the “keep ‘em wanting more” approach by staging a show in a top secret location (an old church in central Stockholm). Showcasing some of their new designs for manufacturers as diverse as Träullit and Santa & Cole, their party proved the big draw of the week.

Within the walls of the main fair, new FUWL pieces were shown by Mitab. Highway easy chair and table were launched to compliment the existing Highway family. Mitab also showed the Stereo sofa system by Joel Karlsson, designer of the Butler family of lights for Ӧrsjӧ.

Källermo and Klong both used leather belts and buckles on their products. Mama Look by Anna Kraitz gave a 60’s-ish sofa an hour-glass figure (very Mad Men!) while Strapp by Britta Teleman keeps your books and documents safe behind its buckle.

We have added an album of highlights to our Facebook page. Check them out here.