‘A Quiet Reflection’ by Ariake

Apologies for the radio silence over the past week, but I’ve been in Sweden for Stockholm Design Week and the Stockholm Furniture Fair. I had a wonderful time discovering lots of amazing interiors, revisiting some former haunts and catching up with blogger friends old and new, and I loved being back in one of my favourite cities for a few days. I’ll share all my finds over the next week or so, but I want to start with one of the highlights: the first showcase outside Asia of recently launched Japanese brand Ariake.

I first blogged about Ariake last month, so I was very excited to have the chance to see its designs in person. Founded in the town of Morodomi, it’s a collaboration between furniture factories Legnatec and Hirata Chair and a range of international designers, including the likes of Norm Architects, StudioMK27, Anderssen & Voll, Gabriel Tan and Staffan Holm. The debut collection was inspired by urban living and spirituality, and encompasses a range of functional yet beautiful pieces which blend Japanese and Scandinavian influences.

Called ‘A Quiet Reflection’, the exhibition was curated by stylist Annaleena Leino and held in conjunction with lighting firm Wästberg and Scandinavian interiors magazine My Residence. It was set inside the former Mexican embassy – a stunning townhouse first built in 1896 and now being turned back into a private home, revealing layers of texture and history. The mottled plaster walls, bare joists and exposed brickwork provided the perfect backdrop for Ariake’s minimalist furniture, which is all made from traditional Japanese materials such as white oak, ash, paper cord and burnt cedar. Also on display were sleek Wästberg lamps, scented candles from Ann Ringstrand and ceramic sculptures by Anton Alvarez, plus artworks and other accessories from Frama, Dry Studio, Nick Ross and more.

The resulting atmosphere was tranquil and still yet also very welcoming. An incredibly inspiring exhibition indeed.

All photography by Abi Dare