Delicious Danish Design Duo

Get ready for a Danish Double treat!

I absolutely adore the work of the Danish design duo, Tools, consisting of the perfect double act, Claus Jensen and Henrik Holbæk. It seems that no matter what the pair put theirs hands on, they transform it into a beautiful success. One only has to look to their Eva Solo series for proof of this.

With the launch of their latest design brand, Normade, the two designers are successfully making the most of the Scandinavian design wave that is slowly and steadily spreading across the world at the moment.

According to Claus and Henrik, the philosophy behind Normade was to create designs that are appealing in their own right whilst being functional - but without any unnecessary detail. The objects are made in sizes that allow them to be easily moved around. This way the user always has them where they are needed and they can be used and enjoyed easily. Moreover it is important that the objects are functional. In other words, these guys are yet another example of designers who are managing to design unpretentious affordable designs without compromising on the quality. Love it!

In addition, the two say that it is important to them that every design feature has a purpose. For example, they do not put a handle on a chair primarily because it looks good; rather it is there because it is functional.

This way of creating furniture, is a return to a time when objects were designed to last and with a purpose in mind. Sadly so many functional objects today are designed to only last for a limit period. Thus, the Normade products are not only beautiful but also sustainable designs which do not try to be anything other than what they are. Beautiful functional objects!

Well done, boys! SkandiHus salutes you.

Raw Materials - Wood and Leather

I have always loved the use by Scandinavian artists and designers of natural materials such as leather, wood, stone, metal and clay. I can't think of anything more aesthetically pleasing than the mix of raw materials and sharp light airy designs. The Spanish Chair 

One of my favourite pieces is the Spanish Chair designed by the Danish furniture architect Børge Mogensen as seen in the photo to the left (borrowed from Manks).

This chair is especially close to my heart as we had one in our summer house in the North of Denmark when I grew up. I have spent many hours of my childhood sliding around on the leather seat whilst watching one of the three TV channels available or perched on the arm rest next to an older sibling who had claimed the chair for the evening (and this was probably more often the case as I am the youngest of four).

Legend has it that upon returning home from a holiday in Spain in 1958,  the furniture designer Børge Mogensen created the Spanish Chair. He had fallen in love with an old chair in Andalusia with a leather seat and wide arm rests.

The use of leather and solid oak gives the chair a strong masculine character and the natural materials cause the chair to become increasingly beautiful as time passes. The buckles can be tightened as the leather naturally stretches over time. This way you can sit comfortable in the chair today, tomorrow and for generations to come. Clever.

I admire Børge Mogensen for more than just his beautiful designs. His philosophy was that beautiful objects for the home should be affordable to the people of Denmark. During the 40s, 50s and 60s, he created some of the most well known furniture classics in Scandinavia.  He would probably be quite sad to know that 40 years after his death, his pieces are not exactly "affordable" to the ordinary person. Still, they are so beautiful that I would almost dare to say that they are priceless. Almost.