‘Sartorial Living’ – a sophisticated showroom makeover for New Works

I always look forward to visiting the gorgeous Copenhagen showroom of New Works, which occupies the ground floor of a period townhouse and gets a yearly makeover from Swedish stylist Lotta Agaton. Dubbed ‘Sartorial Living’, its latest incarnation was unveiled at 3 Days of Design and I think it’s my favourite yet.

Originally dark and moody, then decorated in a palette of forest-like greens, the space is now a mix of elegant beiges, creams, browns and greys inspired by tailored menswear and classic interiors. It’s sophisticated and timeless yet very soothing – the kind of combination that makes you say ‘wow’ then want to kick your shoes off, sit back and relax.

I was very taken by all the soft, earthy tones but what made the space really stand out when I popped in for a look was the interplay between opposites – light and dark, classic and contemporary, raw and refined. Wandering around, I spied sumptuous brown velvet chairs in front of undyed linen curtains, smooth marble and chrome alongside roughly hewn oak plinths, and a snuggly woollen blanket draped over an angular daybed upholstered in smart monochrome stripes. And I loved the way the atmosphere shifted, from sociable open areas to cosier, more intimate nooks.

As I’ve come to expect from New Works, there was also a wonderful contrast between clean lines and more organic, sculptural shapes – something that was particularly evident in the upcoming launches on display. The legs of Steven Bukowski’s ‘Bukowski’ chair, for example, feature a smooth yet decisive shift from solid to slender, while the curved backrest and low centre of gravity give it a strong, monumental expression. Similarly bold is the marble ‘Atlas’ coffee table by John Astbury, who took inspiration from classical porticoes and colonnades as well as 20th-century Brutalist architecture. The result combines a rounded top with chunky square legs, creating a distinctive form where each element exaggerates the other.

Another new design being previewed during the festival was a shelving system designed by New Works co-founder Knut Bendik Humlevik. Part of the brand’s quest to elevate the basics, it’s simple and versatile, fitting seamlessly into a variety of spaces. There are no superfluous details and every element has been carefully considered, from the integrated bookends to the flat-knurled stainless-steel screws. It comes in a range of sizes and colour combinations and was showcased in several spots around the showroom, holding books, ceramics, lamps and more.

It’s no exaggeration to say I absolutely adore the new look, and I could have happily spent hours photographing the various spaces. It’s also the kind of mix of colours, shapes and materials that I’m working towards in my own home, so I came away with lots of inspiration. I’ll be intrigued to see what Lotta Agaton comes up with next year, as I have a feeling this scheme is going to be hard to beat…

All photography by Abi Dare