Highlights from 3 Days of Design 2019 | Part 1

As I mentioned earlier this week, I recently headed over to Copenhagen for 3 Days of Design – the Danish capital’s annual design festival, which encompasses contributions from more than 150 Scandinavian brands, artisans and artists. I’d wanted to go for years but had always been nervous about the cost (press-trip invitations are rare, and hotels during this kind of event aren’t exactly cheap). This year I decided to go for it, and I’m so glad I did – over three days, I took in open showrooms, exhibitions, installations, studio tours and talks that left my head spinning with inspiration. It was also a great opportunity to catch up with blogger friends from all over Europe (including the lovely Emma from Field & Nest, who was my room mate), and an excuse to spend time in one of my favourite cities.

Of course, I couldn’t return from 3 Days of Design without sharing my highlights. There’s a lot to cover, so I’m going to divide them into two separate round-ups, loosely grouped around common themes that stood out to me. I’m starting with five spaces that captured my attention because of the way they showcased contemporary furniture in historic settings. I’ve always been drawn to places which blend minimalist interior design with period architecture – in fact, it’s what I’m trying to do in my own house – and each of the below achieved it brilliantly. Let’s take a look…

New Works’ new showroom

First up is the brand-new showroom of New Works, which occupies the ground floor of a stunning townhouse in the Frederiksstaden neighbourhood. I was lucky enough to visit the afternoon before 3 Days of Design officially kicked off, so I got to have a look around without the crowds – and it’s safe to say I absolutely loved it! Created in collaboration with Swedish stylist Lotta Agaton, it was designed to present New Works’ growing range in a more sophisticated setting and reflect the increasing maturity of the brand, which has come a long way since it was founded in 2015.

The whole place is decorated in a dark, moody palette of browns and greiges, creating a tranquil, cocooning vibe and forming the perfect backdrop for New Works’ sculptural pieces. There are also lots of natural materials, including linen curtains, raffia sculptures and stoneware bowls. I particularly liked the two seating corners, which showcase the curved ‘Covent’ sofa and armchair in a range of tactile fabrics, and the office, where Lotta’s moodboard for the project is on display for all to see. And I will always have a soft spot for New Works’ lighting, including the Chinese-lantern inspired ‘Lantern’ range (which I have in my own home) and the beautiful ‘Ware’ table lamp (one of my favourite launches from the Stockholm Furniture Fair back in February).

HAY at Lindencrone Palace

Also in Frederiksstaden is Lindencrone Palace, which HAY took over for its 3 Days of Design exhibition. Completed in 1753 and once used as the British embassy, it’s full of ornate plasterwork, gilded mirrors and panelled walls which contrasted beautifully with the brand’s clean-lined furniture and accessories. Some of the rooms were styled as lounges and dining areas, others as offices and studios – a conscious decision by the HAY team, who wanted to reflect the increasingly blurred boundaries between home and work environments.

The overall scheme was bright and airy, with perfectly judged pops of colour in the form of upholstery, glassware, ceramics and artwork. There were also lots of ideas that could easily be translated into more mundane, real-life settings: built-in shelving to maximise storage space, desk corners that can be shut away when not in use, cosy seating nooks centred around low-hanging lamps. And I spotted a few interesting new products, including the leather and oak ‘Bernard’ lounge chair by Shane Schneck, Inga Sempé’s ‘Matin’ lamp (whose pleated-cotton shade was inspired by parasols), the incredibly comfy-looking ‘AAC 100’ office chair by Her Welling, and Ana Kraš’ hand-woven ‘Bonbon’ cotton lantern. I was also excited to learn that the iconic ‘Bubble’ pendant lights, originally designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller back in 1952, will now be available via HAY, and I saw them used to great effect in various rooms of the palace.

Hotel Charlottenborg

Next up is Hotel Charlottenborg – a collaboration between 16 different brands which took place in the beautiful Charlottenborg art space on the corner of Nyhavn. Curated by Scandinavian design magazine Ark Journal, it focused on the hospitality sector and demonstrated how the zone between private and public settings can be enhanced to create a home away from home.

Despite the number of companies involved, the exhibition had a wonderfully cohesive feel, with lots of graphic lines, oak furniture, white and grey stoneware, and subtle blush-pink and beige accents. Among the exhibitors were Danish sofa brand Eilersen and Fritz Hansen, who showcased the new ‘JH97’ lounge chair by Jaime Hayon and accessories from the late Paul McCobb’s ‘Planner’ collection. There were also a few new names, including Form & Refine – a just-launched Danish brand founded to preserve traditional crafts and produce sustainable, long-lasting designs. Its minimalist ‘Alcoa’ ceramics were some of the stand-out pieces at the event, and I can’t wait to see more of its collection over the coming months.

&Tradition’s showroom

I’ve covered &Tradition‘s Copenhagen showroom before, but 3 Days of Design finally gave me the chance to see it in person. It sits just across the road from the Kongens Have park, in a 1913 townhouse centred around a stunning spiral staircase. The marble floors and sweeping Art Nouveau features work brilliantly with the brand’s collection, which encompasses pieces by contemporary designers such as Jaime Hayon and Space Copenhagen, alongside classics by the likes of Arne Jacobsen and Viggo Boesen. Spread over several floors are living rooms, dining areas and work spaces where you can test out the furniture and lighting for yourself. They’re restyled on a regular basis, but when I visited I was treated to a striking yet sophisticated blend of indigo blue and rust red, with lots of leafy greenery. I was also able to see a few of &Tradition’s latest launches, which include new sizes and colour options for Vernor Panton’s iconic 1968 ‘Flowerpot’ lamps, plus a lounge chair and bar stool for Anderssen & Voll’s flowing ‘Pavilion’ seating series.

The showroom is also the location of the &Tradition Courtyard – a cafe space that’s open to the public. I had a fantastic brunch there with blogger friends (many thanks to Allan from Bungalow 5 for organising), and I’d highly recommend a visit if you’re in town. The food and coffee is delicious, the furniture is super-stylish, and the outside space is perfect for alfresco dining on sunny days.

By Lassen’s showroom

Last but not least is another showroom that I’ve wanted to visit for a while – that of By Lassen, which occupies the third floor of a classical mansion by the string of water known as the Lakes. It’s a wonderfully airy space, with soaring ceilings, pale floorboards and tall windows that flood the interior with natural light. And of course it’s furnished beautifully. I loved the displays of the ‘Kubus’ range (which you can read more about here), and the fluffy sheepskin-covered ‘The Tired Man’ chair (which I always think resembles a big hug in chair form!).

Most interesting, though, was the indoor garden that By Lassen had created to showcase its new ‘Kubus’ flowerpots. It came complete with real grass, paving, deckchairs and a sitting area beneath a pergola – a wonderful spot to rest my weary feet for a few minutes, before heading onwards to explore more great Scandinavian design…

I’ll have more from 3 Days of Design soon, so watch this space!

All images by Abi Dare