Of all the events that took place at 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen last week, the one I was perhaps saddest to miss was the launch of New Works’ newly redecorated showroom. The brand first moved into its period townhouse home in the Frederiksstaden neighbourhood last spring, and it was one of my favourite spaces from 3 Days of Design 2019 – not only because I’ve always admired New Works’ mix of honest materials and sophisticated, sculptural elements, but also because the whole place was brimming with decor and styling inspiration.
Called ‘Terra – a Residence for Grounding’, the showroom’s latest incarnation is a departure from the dark colours that characterised the previous scheme, and it’s absolutely stunning. Once again created in collaboration with Lotta Agaton Interiors, it’s a response to the uncertain times we’re living in and demonstrates how spaces can encourage escapism, recuperation and re-evaluation. It’s also a wonderful example of biophilic design – design that prioritises maintaining a connection with the natural world in order to improve our physical and mental wellbeing – and there are plenty of easy-to-borrow ideas that can be replicated in any home.
Biophilic design is based on the theory that our hunter-gatherer and agrarian past means humans have an innate predisposition to natural settings, and it’s something that’s fascinated me ever since I heard a talk by leading proponent Oliver Heath a few years ago. It can have a hugely positive impact, reducing stress and anxiety, boosting our productivity and even lowering our heart rate – in fact research has shown that workplaces designed with nature in mind have lower levels of employee sickness, and that hospital patients experience quicker recoveries when they have a green view. Just think how calm and refreshed you feel after a short walk in the park and you’ll begin to get a sense of its power.
Biophilic principles are particularly evident in the palette used to decorate the showroom. Gone are the moody browns and greiges of last year, and in their place are soft beiges, dusty olive greens and stoney greys that evoke forests, fields and coastal landscapes. Natural materials and organic shapes play a big role, too. There are textured wooden tables and accessories, snuggly woollen rugs and upholstery, billowing linen curtains, rustic stoneware, and rippled glass vases that look like they’ve been sculpted by the wind. They mingle seamlessly with more clean-lined pieces and colder, harder surfaces such as stainless steel, copper and marble, creating tactile layers and lots of interesting contrasts.
There are also plenty of plants – one of the easiest and most effective ways to incorporate a bit of nature into a space. The most eye-catching here is a huge olive tree, whose silvery leaves and gnarled trunk reach all the way to the ceiling of one room, but you needn’t resort to anything so dramatic to reap the benefits of having greenery indoors. Just a few small pot plants dotted here and there can have a big effect on mood, as well as purifying the air and increasing humidity. What’s more, there are plenty of easy-to-care-for varieties that don’t need much attention to thrive.
My favourite part of the showroom is the sitting area, where curvaceous ‘Covent’ seating sits alongside a tall oak plinth, sumptuous curtains and a minimalist coffee table. They all combine to form a restful space where people can sit back and breathe more deeply, and the ‘Tense’ pendant lights, whose shape was inspired by floating clouds, add the perfect finishing touch.
I also love the bedrooms, designed in partnership with Swedish bed maker Hästens. One is light and airy, the other darker and more cocooning, but both feature soothing colours and soft textiles chosen to encourage a good night’s sleep.
Even the kitchen-diner, which by definition is more functional than the other spaces, incorporates lots of natural touches. The units offset angular lines with richly grained, dark-stained wood, and the blue-grey tiles have subtle variations in colour and texture that bring to mind watery landscapes and ever-changing skies.
What do you think of the showroom? Do you prefer this lighter, nature-inspired look or the previous one? And are there any biophilic design ideas that you’re keen to try in your own home?
Photography by Brian Buchard for New Works
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