New design finds | August 2022

As always, the start of a new month sees me sharing some of my favourite product launches and minimalist design finds. This time around there are portable lamps, beautiful bathroom vanity units and gorgeous furniture pieces from Denmark and Ukraine. Just read on for details…

Timeless designs from Brdr. Krüger and Hans Bølling

I’m starting with Brdr. Krüger, which has unveiled three new creations by renowned Danish architect and designer Hans Bølling. Now in his nineties, Bølling has a reputation for fusing timeless simplicity with playful details, and his latest pieces embody this approach. Inspired by his iconic ‘HB’ tray table, they consist of his first-ever lounge chair design, along with a coffee table and a stool. All feature cylindrical wooden legs with distinctive concave tops, and the chair and stool have draped canvas or leather upholstery held in place by metal pins and weights.

The three pieces were presented during 3 Days of Design at a special exhibition curated by architect and artist Sara Martinsen, who recreated areas of Bølling’s home in Brdr. Krüger’s showroom. They’re available in a choice of oiled hardwoods and are hand-crafted at the family-owned company’s workshop in Denmark, with prices starting at €720 for the stool, €1,345 for the coffee table and €2,205 for the chair.

Portable lamps from Menu

Next up is Menu, which has responded to the surge in demand for portable lighting by adding three new lamps to its portfolio. Two are extensions of existing series by Norm Architects: a cordless version of the beautiful ‘Hashira’ lamp, which was inspired by a visit to a traditional Japanese washi papermaker and combines a wooden base with a tubular shade in white or raw linen; and a brushed-aluminium version of the sleek little ‘Column’ lamp. There’s also a brand-new design in the form of the ‘Ray’ table lamp, which was conceived by British designer Daniel Schofield and takes its cue from old mining lamps. Its simple yet distinctive silhouette is shaped from powder-coated metal in black or dusty green, and features a glass hurricane and a practical handle.

All have three dimmer settings and can be recharged via discreet USB ports, with battery lives of up to 10 hours – ideal for evenings outside or places without easy access to a plug socket. The ‘Hashira’ and ‘Column’ lamps are both priced at €180 / £149.95 and the ‘Ray’ at €210 / £179.95.

A stylish bathroom vanity unit from Crosswater

I’m often on the lookout for practical yet beautiful bathroom furniture for my design clients, and the latest to catch my eye is the just-launched ‘Limit’ vanity unit from Crosswater. Available in oak or darker steelwood, it features a roomy drawer with a striking 3D slatted front that adds a wonderful sense of texture and depth. The wall-hung design is ideal for maximising floor space in small bathrooms, and there are two different sizes (500mm and 700mm) to select from. There’s also a choice between an integrated inset basin or a matching worktop on which you can mount a counter-top basin of your choice. Prices start at £1,105.

Versatile designs from Normann Copenhagen

Slatted fronts also feature in the ‘Rib’ sideboard and cabinet (from €1,570 / £1,420) from Normann Copenhagen. Inspired by the façades of 1960s Nordic summerhouses, they’re available in natural or black lacquered oak veneer and have push latches that do away with the need for handles.

‘Rib’ is one of three new series created for the brand by Danish designer Simon Legald, with the others being the ‘Off’ chair (from €1,195 / £1,110) and the ‘Ark’ modular sofa and armchair (from €1,125 / £1,050). The former is a highly versatile, functional and aesthetically pleasing task chair, with technical elements such as the gas lift beautifully integrated into the construction and the option of adding castors and armrests. The latter, meanwhile, plays with curves and volume and looks as if it’s built almost entirely from plump cushions, creating a soft and very welcoming expression.

Sculptural simplicity from Noom

Up-and-coming Ukrainian design studio Noom has unveiled several additions to its collection of simple, sculptural furniture. Created by co-founder Kateryna Solokova, they include the ‘Paul’ dining table, which was named after and inspired by German architect, illustrator and designer Bruno Paul (1874-1968). He was known for his functional, pragmatic elegance and this is reflected in the chunky column-like legs, sleek top and contrast edging, with a choice between natural, black-stained or brown-stained ash.

Also new is the ‘Freyja’ coffee table, whose sensuous curves are an homage to femininity and natural beauty. It too is available in a variety of finishes, and there are three different heights to choose from. It looks wonderful paired with the other just-launched piece – a sofa version of Noom’s existing ‘Gropius’ chair, which celebrates the geometric forms and clean lines of the Bauhaus School and takes its name from Bauhaus great Walter Gropius.

All three designs are available to order now, with the ‘Paul’ table starting at €2,400, the ‘Freyja’ tables at €1,280 and the sofa at €2,450 (all excluding VAT).

A striking new table and bed from Garde Hvalsøe

Finally, Danish kitchen and cabinetry maker Garde Hvalsøe has branched out by adding two furniture designs from Copenhagen-based Bunn Studio to its range. The first is the ‘Merge’ add-on table, which can be combined with Garde Hvalsøe’s kitchen units to create a cosy space for meals and coffee breaks. Its ellipse shape extends over the worktop, and it’s available in a variety of stone and wood types, allowing you to play with contrast or harmony as desired. A hole for lamps, cables and power outlets can also be fitted on demand.

The second piece is a bed that combines an elegant wooden frame with visible flag halyard elements. The soft curves of the headboard create the feel of a cocooning embrace, and the custom-made DUX mattress is incorporated into the design rather than being hidden away. The result has an airy, transparent expression, yet it’s striking enough to form the centrepiece of a bedroom scheme. It comes in a range of sizes, with various woods to choose from.

All photography via the respective brands