15 Things We Loved From Stockholm Design Week

Visiting Stockholm in February may not initially seem enticing, given it’s wintertime. However, hidden beneath the snow lies a bustling city, pulsating with life due to its thriving design community.

From February 3rd to 7th, the Stockholm Furniture Fair and associated Stockholm Design Festival have emerged as significant events on the calendar. Compared to other traditional furniture exhibitions, these events truly stand out – thanks to their carefully selected sections and manageable scale, they are among the finest. Leaving the event always gives you a sense of having seen just the right amount of high-quality offerings.

Read on for the things we loved the most.

Nick Ross’ Gallery Show

For quite some time now, we’ve kept a close watch on the creations of Nick Ross, a designer from Scotland who runs his studio in Stockholm. His recent exhibit at Public Service Gallery was named “The King’s Hat”, where Ross crafted an assortment using branches that were pruned from trees initially planted by King Fredrik I in the 1730s. This collection encompasses seating furniture, a coffee table, a vase, and a floor chandelier, all of which are strikingly minimalist, allowing the unique material and its historic significance to be the focus.

A Lamp by Axel Wannberg at Nordiska Galleriet

During this year’s event, Nordiska Galleriet buzzed with activity, inviting various studios to participate for the design week celebration. Among the myriad of designs showcased, including timeless classics, our standout pick was Axel Wannberg’s Lamp 53, rendered in a vibrant blue tone. Named after the 53-degree angle at which it is welded, this design was initially crafted from wood for an exhibition during Stockholm Design Week 2023. However, it has now been reimagined in metal to be offered through the gallery.

This Lamp by the Late Yrjö Kukkapuro

Amongst exhibits arranged by Claesson Koivisto Rune Architecture Studio and Jackson Design, the standout piece was a creation by the late Yrjö Kukkapuro from an exhibition. Surrounded by significant works of the 20th century, this piece managed to capture our attention even when placed in the rear corner of the room. Originally designed for the XIV Milan Triennial in 1968, it’s a floor lamp that embodies Kukkapuro’s signature style – merging practicality with an element of whimsy.

Note Design Studio’s Conversation Pit at Tarkett

Installing a conversation pit within Design Studio’s showroom of a materials company was an astute move, as it is now irresistible to design enthusiasts. In fact, it’s likely to draw in curious passersby, even if they only come for a snapshot. The sunken seating area stands out among the Tarkett Ateljé in Södermalm, which is entirely covered in the company’s flooring materials – from floor to ceiling.

Simon Skinner’s New Furniture

Simon Skinner is a versatile designer who isn’t shy about experimenting with various materials, architectural styles, and sizes in his work. Within just a few years after graduating, he has achieved international acclaim for his Afropicks project and followed it up by designing the delicate Bukè table lamps made of glass. At the Älvsjö Gård exhibition, Skinner demonstrated another aspect of his design abilities: creating upholstered furniture pieces.

A Chair Called “Book Monster”

Crafted by JLF Design Studio, the Book Monster is composed of two components: the seat section resembling a torso and the armrests shaped like wings. Coated in a striking orange-red hue, this chair invites readers to become engrossed in their books, which can be neatly tucked between the slots on the arm rests. The design of the chair is also inspired by literature, with the torso suggesting the motion of turning pages and the wings symbolizing a book’s journey – from being waiting on a shelf to being completed.

This Blue Stool from OMI Collective

Intrigued by the eye-catching blue wooden design of this stool, we found ourselves drawn to it as we explored the Greenhouse area at the fair. This section showcases up-and-coming brands and designers, making it a treasure trove of unique items. The Omi Series 2 Stool is one such find, hailing from Lagos-based Omi Collective. Drawing inspiration from traditional African stools and neckpieces, this piece features shapes and symbols that resonate with the collective’s roots. The vibrant blue color is a tribute to indigo, a color rich in African heritage, while the legs have been crafted by hand to create a robust, human-touched shape. The studio emphasizes the importance of showcasing the personal touch and skill that goes into each creation.

Blå Station’s Wooden Recliner

Blå Station is a label that’s challenging to define at first glance. Initially, it might seem like it specializes only in contract office furniture, but upon closer inspection, you can visualize the pieces fitting nicely in a residential space. Among their 2025 range, we were particularly drawn to the PYR chair, known for its ability to detect and deter imitations, but our hearts truly went out to the elegant Villhelm recliner. The sleek design of this chair’s wooden shell seat is achieved through compression molding, resulting in a streamlined, smooth shape. According to the brand, they are intrigued by pushing the limits between commercial-grade comfort and the coziness you desire at home. “Villhem” is a play on words, meaning “I want to go home.

David Taylor’s Giant Candelabra

Today’s scope of David Taylor’s work leaves his past life as a silversmith appearing nearly incredible. Originating from Scotland and residing in Sweden since the 1990s, Taylor shifted his focus to aluminum following the financial crisis in 2008, which caused silver prices to skyrocket. Fortunately for him, several techniques he mastered through his initial craft found applications in his new material. Some of these techniques were displayed at the “Special Effects” exhibition held at Bukowskis Auction House, with our top pick being a massive candelabra among the exhibits.

Ololoo Studio’s Inflatable Light and Stool

On occasion, design can become overly formal. It’s delightful when a studio injects some humor into an otherwise somber field – and this is precisely what Ololoo Studio accomplishes. Their inflatable lamp arrived at the perfect moment, offering a welcome respite after spending hours traipsing through larger brands’ displays. The remarkable aspect of their projects lies in their ability to maintain playfulness without sacrificing quality, and every detail is meticulously crafted.

Living Form Design Studies’ Lab-Inspired Lamp

The LF-2 Lamp is elegantly designed, offering a versatile structure that allows users to customize their lighting experience based on preferred intensity levels. Its unique feature includes an adjustable reflector and bulb that can be moved along the axis, while its minimalist design is inspired by laboratory equipment.

Jenny Nordberg’s Ability to Repurpose Old Office Furniture

Instead of Jenny Norderg’s “The Executive” collection as a whole, our list could have encompassed it. However, we opted for a coffee table boasting an intriguing surface design. This unique piece was collaboratively designed with Soeco, incorporating repurposed office furniture from their stock. The chosen coffee table features an eccentrically shaped top, and its surface showcases a pattern created by charcoal and lacquer application.

Sahco’s Zade Textile

Since Bengt Thornefors took on the role as creative director, Sahco has been thriving and growing stronger. During our visit to their showroom, they unveiled their fresh textile collection for this year. It includes a variety of designs, from elegant drapery reminiscent of couture in vibrant lime green hues, to delicate lace that could grace any garment. What truly captured our attention was the Zade range, boasting a woven pattern inspired by Franz West’s artwork, particularly his Uncle chair design.

Form Us With Love’s Testing Grounds Bistro

This year, Form Us With Love transformed their studio into an energetic workspace, dubbed as “Testing Grounds Bistro”, featuring collaborations with BLOND, +Halle, and String. The goal was to highlight the effectiveness of creative endeavors in a more laid-back environment. For the entire week, refreshments were served by Lucy’s Flower Shop, meals were prepared by Albin Edberg, and music was composed by Tobias Lindén.

Tobias Berg’s Stilas Chair

At Tobias Berg’s booth, the craftsmanship on display was impeccable. The standout piece we’re showcasing is called the “Stilas”, which is referred to as an “architectural lounge chair”. The dark walnut and stainless steel construction give it a cozy yet modern vibe. The designer explains that while the chair has a slim profile, it places great emphasis on comfort, boasting ergonomically designed seating, a flexible backrest, and spacious armrests.

2025-02-18 19:56