With the trade show season in full swing, the European shows continue into February with the Stockholm Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair. With over 700 exhibitors taking part, the exhibition is the world’s largest meeting place for Scandinavian design, attracting visitors looking for new perspectives on the style.
While Nordic brands can now be found at the blockbuster shows of Maison & Objet Paris and Milan __design Week, it’s at the Stockholm Furniture Fair that the enduring aesthetics associated with functional minimalism can be found in force. High-quality materials pared with restrained colors are the norm. This year the color book was given a radical makeover with an abundance of soft pinks, warm corals, and rich berry tones, most notably seen at the Design Bar by Note Design Studio and also in the trend exhibition created by stylist Lotta Agaton.
The show’s platform for new and emerging designers, the ever-popular Greenhouse, proved fruitful with the work of studios Mr.Fräg and Studio Føy. Australian designer Frag Woodall of Mr.Fräg showcased his Dowel family of stools that celebrate an unlikely combination of a polished solid brass seat and understated turned timber legs. Studio Føy, comprised of Oslo-based duo Guro Sørbø Midtun and Siri Line, displayed a flamingo-inspired stool that reflects their playful approach.
The fair showcased the Scandinavian ability to mix traditional methods and state-of-the-art technologies while continuing the art of honest craftsmanship.