New finds | June 2021

The arrival of June – and summer (hooray!) – means it’s time for my regular round-up of new design finds and interesting product launches. Catching my eye this month are stunning art prints, minimalist reed diffusers, beautiful ceramics, a gorgeous table lamp and two classic Danish Modern chairs that are now going into production for 21st-century interiors. Just read on for details…

The ‘Paris Metro’ collection from Sofia Lind x The Poster Club

I’m starting with Copenhagen-based art store The Poster Club, which is launching a series of exclusive ‘Feature Collections’ through which individual artists will tell visual stories. The first one was created by Swedish artist Sofia Lind and inspired by four Paris metro stations, each of which has been translated into a portrait showcasing her trademark motifs and soft, expressive brush strokes. For example, the checked dress in ‘Waiting at Art et Métiers’ takes its cue from the square pieces of copper on the station’s walls and ceilings; ‘Blue Stripe at Concorde’, meanwhile, echoes the strips of tiles repeated along Concorde’s tunnels. The idea for the series came from Lind’s time living in Paris while completing a bachelor’s degree in engineering and it struck a chord with me as I also lived in the city as a student – in fact I know the chosen stations well and Place de Clichy, whose glossy deep-green tiles inspired ‘Coffee Alone at Place de Clichy’, was very close to my apartment. The four prints are available to buy online now, with prices starting at €49, and The Poster Club will be revealing further ‘Feature Collections’ over the coming months.

Reed diffusers and handmade home accessories from Svar:øg

Next up is Svar:øg – one of my favourite independent candle makers, and now based in my own city of Bristol after founder Petra moved here from London last month. Its wonderful scented candles have now been joined by three reed diffusers, all hand-blended from natural oils and packaged in minimalist jars made from recycled glass. There are three evocative-sounding scents to choose from: ‘Abisko Skies’, whose notes of lemon balm, sage, tarragon and earthy greens transport you to the mountains of northern Sweden; the refreshing ‘Nordic Breeze’ with its layers of peppermint, menthol, wild mint and eucalyptus; and ‘Silent Fields’, which blends bamboo, dewy foliage, barberries and Valeriana Jatamansi to conjure up memories of the sun-drenched countryside. Also new is a small but beautiful range of home accessories, including handmade mugs with speckled glazes and an elegant stem vase consisting of three glass spheres. Both they and the reed diffusers are available online now, with prices starting at £20 for a diffuser, £15.95 for a mug and £14.95 for a vase.

The ‘Lynderup’ chair from Fredericia

Moving on to furniture, Danish brand Fredericia has just unveiled the ‘Lynderup’ chair, first created by the renowned Børge Mogensen back in 1954. It was the result of his experimentation with metal bases and features a curved seat and back that play with light and shadow, but it was never put into production. Working with his original sketches, which remained in the archives at his house in Lynderup, northwestern Jutland, the Fredericia team have updated the design for the 21st century, obtaining FSC and Ecolabel certifications and ensuring suitability for a variety of commercial and residential settings. Stackable and easy to clean, the result mixes unpretentious, timeless design with modern materials and will be available soon, with a choice of black or chrome for the tubular frame and a range of veneer and upholstery options for the plywood back and seat.

The ‘Wuff’ lounge chair from &Tradition

&Tradition has also looked to the past for its latest chair launch. Called ‘Wuff’, it was first produced in a traditional workshop in the 1930s and features the kind of sculptural armrests and wing-shaped backrest that characterised the early Danish Modern movement of the time.  &Tradition purchased one of the few surviving examples at an auction and set about trying to uncover the story of its conception. Sadly the original designer remains unknown, but the appeal of its softly upholstered form led the team to reissue it for contemporary homes. It will be available to order in a selection of fabrics, with a choice of oiled walnut or white-oiled oak for the legs and armrest, and is perfect for adding a stylish dash of whimsey to a living room or bedroom.

The ‘Romb’ lamp from Pholc

Last but not least is Swedish lighting brand Pholc, which has added a stunning table lamp called ‘Romb’ to its portfolio. Created by Stockholm-based design duo Broberg & Ridderstråle, it’s the result of experimentation with the rippled cardboard they use when modelling architecture projects and consists of two compressed rhombuses, one perched on top of the other. The shape plays tricks with perception of form and looks commanding when viewed straight on, yet is narrow enough to fit on windowsills and bookshelves; it also casts a beautiful light directly upwards and indirectly downwards. Made from grooved aluminium, ‘Romb’ comes in two colours – ‘Cotton’ white and ‘Cumin’ ochre – and two sizes, and is available to buy now. Prices start at around £340 / €400, depending on retailer and country.

All images via the respective brands above