Several of my favourite design names have just released details of their spring-summer 2024 collections and one in particular immediately caught my eye: that of Danish brand &Tradition, which is known for its mix of timeless Scandinavian pieces and contemporary creations by a raft of international designers.
I was particularly excited to see that its latest additions include a few relaunched classics, among them the ‘AX’ chair. Created in 1950 by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen of Copenhagen-based firm Hvidt & Mølgaard, it was one of the first examples of laminated veneer furniture made from 3D-shaped plywood and marked a turning point in Danish mid-century modern design. It features wave-like arms that appear to emerge from the frame and are mirrored in a curve extending from the backrest to the front of the seat. It was engineered to provide comfort without the need for upholstery and soon garnered a reputation as the most comfortable wooden chair ever made, appearing in numerous museums around the world. It’s now back in production, joining &Tradition’s growing Hvidt & Mølgaard collection, with a choice between oak and walnut and dark-stained oak finishes.
Also back in production for the first time in a while is Verner Panton’s ‘Wire’ stool. Reportedly one of Panton’s personal favourites, it was designed in 1981 and embodies his fondness for geometric shapes, repeated patterns and industrial materials such as metal wire. Its aesthetic appeal comes from its airy, almost transparent appearance and the concentric circles of its seat, but it’s also stackable and very sturdy. It comes with a detachable cushion in green, red, blue or grey, but it works just as beautifully without and can even double as a side table or nightstand.
In addition to the above, one of &Tradition’s most iconic pieces, the ‘Little Petra’ lounge chair, is now being joined by the larger ‘Petra’. Like its smaller sister, it was designed by architect Viggo Boesen in 1938 but lay forgotten for decades. ‘Little Petra’ was reintroduced in 2018 after Boesen’s original sketches were found tightly rolled inside a cigar box in his archives, and it proved an instant hit thanks to its voluptuous curves, winged backrest and cylindrical legs in walnut or oak. The bigger variant has the same distinctive shape but with taller proportions, meaning it’s ideally suited to larger spaces, and comes in an array of upholstery options from sheepskin to tactile bouclé.
Another existing series that’s being extended for 2024 is Dutch designer Edward van Vliet’s ‘Develius’ modular sofa collection, which now encompasses the more relaxed ‘Develius Mellow’. It uses the same structural framework as the original but has an additional padded layer, creating a softer take on the clean-lined, architectural expression. It also features a removable cover, extending its versatility and overall lifespan, together with a system of pulling ties to ensure it won’t sag over time.
‘Develius Mellow’ is shown in the below images with a brand-new product family: Luca Nichetto’s ‘Sett’. Combining minimalist shapes with rich materials, it was inspired by precious gemstones and the techniques used to set them in jewellery. The result is a series of coffee and side tables, each featuring a dark chrome-finished aluminium frame and a top that almost looks as if it’s floating above it. There are square and rectangular variants, plus a choice of materials – Verde Guatemala marble, Bianco Carrara marble and smoked cast glass – that reflect Nichetto’s Italian roots and his childhood on the Venetian glass-blowing island of Murano. All are designed to work on their own, be clustered together in pairs or groups, or be mixed and matched to form a bold statement.
There are also several interesting lighting launches. First of all, Verner Panton’s iconic ‘Flowerpot’ lamp from 1968 is now available as a chandelier in several different configurations, all created by Panton himself for various interiors projects and exhibition installations. Formations of multiple ‘Flowerpots’ have been on display at &Tradition’s Copenhagen showroom for several years, so it’s great to see them being made available for sale. There’s also a new, smaller version of the original ‘Flowerpot’ pendant lamp that measures 16cm in diameter – the ideal size for hanging on its own by a chair or bedside, or grouping together over dining tables and island units.
Another existing lamp, the portable ‘Como’, is getting an update of its own for 2024 thanks a new anodised aluminium version with a brushed finish. The subtle sheen emphasises the soft curves of Space Copenhagen’s mushroom-shaped design beautifully and makes a great alternative to the original bronzed brass. Jaime Hayon, meanwhile, has created a brand-new table lamp called ‘Montera’, inspired by the pageantry of his native Spain. Its silhouette and name are derived from traditional matadors’ hats, while the two eye-catching colour variants – ‘Forest & Sky’ and ‘Amber & Ruby’ – reflect Hayon’s signature use of bold hues.
Also influenced by their home country, Norwegian duo Anderssen & Voll have created ‘Allwood’ – a lightweight and comfortable wooden chair that’s rooted in Norway’s simple, timeless design ethos and abundant natural materials. Mixing traditional craft techniques with a contemporary shape, it celebrates the warmth and versatility of wood, with a solid oak frame, laminated bottom rails and form-pressed sheets of curved laminated veneer. Importantly, it’s designed to look as good from the rear – the side of a chair that’s most often visible around a table – as it does from the front, with an extended back stretcher forming a strong graphic element and making for easy stackability.
Finally, &Tradition’s popular ‘Betty’ series, first developed by Jakob Thau and Sami Kallio in response to a specific request for lightweight, easily transportable seating by the Betty Nansen Theatre in Copenhagen, has been expanded to include a stackable armchair and a smoked-oak finish. Like the existing ‘Betty’ pieces, the armchair combines a subtly curved backrest with an angular seat and is available in solid, webbed and upholstered variants. The smoked-oak finish, meanwhile, is now an option across the entire ‘Betty’ range of chairs, stools and benches and matches the smoked-oak versions of Kallio’s ‘In Between’ tables, around which they fit perfectly.
All photography courtesy of &Tradition
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