The Scandinavian aesthetic and design philosophy is quite close to my heart. The perfect balance between beauty and functionality, the less is more approach, the preference for natural materials, and the focus on craftsmanship and smart design that characterize Scandinavian design are all very much in line with my own interior aesthetic vision. Mostly, I love how it appreciates the beauty of simplicity – clean lines, nature-inspired organic forms, a muted color palette.
I wouldn’t say that our whole apartment is strictly Scandinavian style, but it’s definitely influenced by it. Among the many great Scandinavian design brands, there are a few that particularly appeal to me. These are the brands I almost always check out when I need to buy something new for my home or just simply when I want some interior inspiration.
MENU
MENU is a Danish design brand known for its innovative products and minimal aesthetic. They work with some of the most well known contemporary designers as well as emerging young talent on their products and new collections and put a modern twist on the classic Scandinavian design. Their design philosophy is focused on creating highly functional, practical items that make life simpler and more comfortable, without compromising on aesthetics.
Some of my favorite items (they are particularly strong in lighting products and accessories): the Afteroom Coat Hanger, Gridy Fungi Shelves, JWDA lamp series, and the Echasse Hurricane candleholders.
Muuto
Muuto is another Danish design brand. The name comes from muutos, meaning new perspective in Finnish. They collaborate with leading contemporary designers who reimagine the classic Scandinavian design traditions characterized by enduring aesthetics, functionality, natural materials, and craftsmanship. Standout items include the E27 Pendant Lamp, Fluid Pendant Lamp, Dots hook series and the Airy Coffee Table.
Kristina Dam
Kristina Dam Studio was founded by Danish graphic designer and architect Kristina Dam in 2012. Their aesthetic is Sculptural & Nordic Minimalism – characterized by clean lines, a monochromatic color palette, and beautiful materials. They only use locally sourced natural materials and the items are also produced locally in Europe. It’s easy to see the architectural and sculptural influences in their collections; the items have a strong character, and the attention to detail is exceptional. My favorite items from the current collections include the Stack Storage Box, Japanese Wood Board, Grid Sideboard, and the Wooden Sphere Oak.
Mater
I’ve already mentioned Mater in my post about eco-design as this Danish brand regards ethical production and sustainability just as important as beautiful design. Mater uses sustainably and ethically harvested materials, as well as lots of waste and scrap materials, and work with local artisans to produce timeless furniture. I’ve got their Bowl Table in Sirka gray as a coffee table, and it’s truly one of my favorite things in my home.
&Tradition
Established in 2010, &Tradition is a Danish design company that marries tradition with innovation. They uniquely combine past and present – they use traditional artisan craftsmanship as well as the latest technical innovations, redefine classic silhouettes in a modern way, work with emerging new designers and come up with exciting contemporary designs while also reissuing iconic pieces from the 20th century by celebrated designers like Arne Jacobsen. Their aesthetic is a bit more playful compared to other design brands on this list, opting for more elaborate forms and bolder colors. Some of their most iconic and popular items: the Palette JH25 Table, Lato Side Table, Fly SC1 Lounge Chair, Milk Table Lamp, and the Spinning Pendant Lamp.
Ferm Living
Ferm Living designs furniture and home accessories for a cozy, comfortable home. They fuse Scandinavian aesthetic with a touch of Mid-Century Modern charm. The founder, Trine Andersen has a graphic designer background, which is quite evident in the rich color palette, graphic patterns, and avant-garde shapes of some of the collections. They are also trying to become more sustainable, like with their Way series made of recycled plastic bottles.
While they create beautiful furniture as well (I love the soft forms of the Rico Lounge Chair for example), I think their strongest field is home accessories, just take a look at a couple of these products: the Hourglass Pot, Orb Watering Can, Toilet Paper Holder, Fein Tea Spoons, Grid Laundry Basket, and the Herman Magazine Stand.
