Fritz Hansen Presents the After Series by Michael Anastassiades

Fritz Hansen has unveiled After, a new chair and table series by acclaimed designer Michael Anastassiades. Defined by geometric clarity, subtle gestures, and immaculate execution, the collection bridges the Danish brand’s 153-year heritage with a modern design language.

Named After, as a reference to the design approach, the series introduces a more modern design language to the Fritz Hansen collection, yet with a sense of continuity from its heritage lineage. The collaboration marks Anastassiades’ first with Fritz Hansen, though the London-based Cypriot's long-standing admiration for Danish design is central to the series. Drawing on the brand’s archives and ethos of collective contribution, he distilled traditional archetypes into his own pared-down expression.

The result is a chair that clearly bears Anastassiades’ signature while echoing the legacy of Danish masters such as Kaare Klint and Poul Kjærholm. The round dining table echoes the clarity and play on geometry in a sturdier form. Their honesty, purity and materiality, a testament to the technical prowess and craftsmanship of Fritz Hansen. “My approach is based around the idea of collective contribution, building on the Danish design heritage and bringing my own layer of simplification and thinking,” Anastassiades explains. “There is a lot of clarity in shapes and forms and why they need to be there, they are very considered and geometric, primal in a way.”

The After chair is conceived as a precise interplay of stacked elements: a curved backrest resting on square legs, which hold a gently scooped plywood seat. The joins are matched to the millimetre, an exactitude achieved through a traditional cabinetmaking technique used for the backrest, in which a piece of wood is sliced into sheets, glued back together in identical sequence and pressed into a curved shape. “The joinery has to be so good, so stable, and there needs to be a level of comfort,” Anastassiades says. “The curved backrest has to be so precise to the millimetre… All these details matter. They are really subtle gestures that make the chair.”

This sense of stacked layers and contrasting geometry is repeated in the After dining table. The round tabletop appears to float on cross-shaped legs, their chunky rounded edges aligning them to and distinguishing them from the chair. Two distinct finishes offer contrasting characters: Ash with a hard wax oil that highlights the natural elegance of the grain, and Burgundy lazur, a rich hue reminiscent of darker wood tones or the patina of aged brass that Anastassiades uses in his lighting designs. A burgundy version with a Rosso Levanto marble top pushes the series into another realm, contrasting the monumental materiality of the wine-red stone with the tactility of the wooden legs. Thin cushions, in nature or burgundy Pure leather, further refine comfort.

Anastassiades describes the process with Fritz Hansen — which involves workshops with the brand’s creative director and furniture makers to develop the final product — as slow, methodical and collaborative. “Their knowledge is so fundamental in the process. It is a very different approach than any of the other brands I have worked with,” he says. “A part of the aesthetic is how you work with the limitations of the wood and find innovative ways of solving the problem that are not going to compromise the design. I’m very happy with the result; the execution, the quality and the detail are very good. It is such a simple design but it is immaculately manufactured."

For Fritz Hansen’s Creative Director Els Van Hoorebeeck, the After series encapsulates the brand’s philosophy of design being an evolution, not revolution. “In ash you get Fritz Hansen the manufacturer – the details, the immaculate delivery, the comfort maximised for the chair without losing the aesthetic purity. Whereas the burgundy and marble table feels as if it has landed exactly where the brand is at from a design perspective.”

Van Hoorebeeck adds: “The After series emphasises where we come from, how we work with our heritage, and at the same time shows a preview of what is ahead. It is a really nice link between the past, present and the future.”

The After series launches worldwide on 4 September, 2025, and will be available in Australia and New Zealand through Cult.

Images courtesy of Fritz Hansen

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Space Copenhagen Thoughtfully Reimagines Schloss Schauenstein

Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Schloss Schauenstein has long been a destination for culinary excellence under the vision of three-star Michelin chef Andreas Caminada. In celebration of the restaurant’s 20th anniversary, the interiors of the 12th-century castle have been thoughtfully reimagined by the acclaimed Danish design studio Space Copenhagen. The result is a delicate dialogue between past and present, where heritage and craftsmanship intertwine, and where guests are invited to savour not only Caminada’s celebrated cuisine but also the sensory experience of the castle itself.

Schloss Schauenstein’s ivy-clad stone façade rises from the mountains of Fürstenau, Switzerland, steeped in centuries of history. As guests arrive, they’re met by crisp alpine air, scented with pine and woodsmoke—setting the tone for the experience ahead. Crossing the threshold, they step into a world where ancient stone walls, timber beams, and winding staircases are thoughtfully balanced with soft, natural materials including oak, stone, wool, and linen. The lobby introduces Space Copenhagen’s restrained and elegant aesthetic: timeless furniture pieces from Studio Oliver Gustav, including a stone side table by Maverick Lee and a brass table lamp by Michael Verheyden, sit in quiet conversation with the castle’s original architecture, offering a sense of both intimacy and grandeur.

At the heart of Schloss Schauenstein, the dining room is an intimate, evocative space, softly lit to cast shadows that move gently across textured walls. The atmosphere exudes a calm sense of anticipation, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in Caminada’s culinary vision. Tableware, cutlery, and bespoke furniture—crafted by local artisans using wood and stone—reflect the same attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship. Custom Sela dining chairs from De La Espada, upholstered in a distinctive blend of wood, leather, and textile, complement the refined yet grounded setting.

In the Chimney Room Bar, warm rust tones create a cocooning atmosphere, complemented by Space Copenhagen’s Loafer sofas for &Tradition, the Stay Chair for Gubi, and Frama’s Sintra Stone Lounge Tables. Throughout the interiors, vintage pieces salvaged from the castle have been upcycled and reupholstered, seamlessly integrating with more contemporary designs to create a layered, cohesive narrative.

The redesign of Schloss Schauenstein is a testament to the collaborative vision between Caminada and Space Copenhagen—a shared commitment to honouring the spirit of place while creating a timeless, sensory experience.

“Having worked with Space Copenhagen for our boutique hotel and restaurant Mammertsberg, it was clear to me that they were the perfect people to bring the castle into its next era,” says Caminada. “My wife Sarah and I wanted to create the perfect harmony between tradition and modernity, blending timeless design classics into the fabric of the castle.” He continues: “To me, experiencing the castle’s spirit and feeling its history has been crucial in planning the renovations for our 20th anniversary. Guests should feel at home in every corner and enjoy both the culinary journey and the castle with all their senses.”

The redesigned guest rooms provide a sense of stillness and retreat. Each room is distinct, yet all exude an understated elegance. Original stone and timber-clad walls anchor the spaces in their medieval heritage, while natural materials—oak, soft wool, and linen—introduce a contemporary warmth. Earthy tones reflect the surrounding alpine landscape: soft greys, burnt orange, forest greens, and warm neutrals.

Furniture has been carefully curated and crafted: vintage pieces from the castle restored alongside iconic designs from B&B Italia, Cassina, and Bonacina, as well as bespoke additions by Space Copenhagen. The lighting is soft and atmospheric, changing with the time of day to cast shadows across the textured walls. Large windows frame views of the valley and the cobbled village below, blurring the boundaries between inside and out. Bathrooms, finished in stone with minimalist fixtures, invite quiet reflection, featuring rainfall showers and deep soaking tubs that enhance the sense of calm.

Signe Bindslev Henriksen, co-founder of Space Copenhagen, comments “Each room is a study in understated elegance, deliberately stripped of excess to let the architecture, and the guest’s own experience, breathe. No two rooms are the same; each offers its own sense of place.”

Peter Bundgaard Rützou, co-founder of Space Copenhagen, adds “There’s a rare stillness to the rooms. They offer different forms of respite, but all share a sense of comfort, privacy, and connection to the landscape. We hope guests feel less like they’re checking into a hotel and more like they’re being welcomed into a thoughtfully curated retreat.”

Space Copenhagen’s sensitive design approach invites guests to experience Schloss Schauenstein as a living, breathing place—where the past is honoured, the present savoured, and the future thoughtfully imagined. Every detail, from the softly worn stone floors to the carefully curated furniture, reflects a deep respect for craft, material, and context. This isn’t just a renovation—it’s a quiet reawakening. A layered collaboration between architecture, design, and gastronomy. Together, Andreas Caminada and Space Copenhagen have created an experience that feels timeless yet deeply personal—an immersive experience where heritage and hospitality, nourishment and nature, memory and modernity seamlessly converge.

Credits

Design: Space Copenhagen

Photography: Joachim Wichmann

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New and Noted

While the TDC Blog has been quiet since the latter part of 2024, as I’ve been fully immersed in styling, design, and writing projects, January, as always, brings an exciting array of design news—and I can’t let the month slip away without sharing some inspiring new projects and products that have landed in my inbox.

&Tradition Opens a New Showroom in Villeneuve-lès-Avignons, France

Located in Villeneuve-lès-Avignons, in the southern region of France, the new &Tradition showroom is located within a former papal residence dating back to the 16th century. Embracing the history and heritage of the building, whose architectural characteristics reflect those seen throughout the medieval town that surrounds it, &Tradition have taken care to preserve and restore original features, establishing a considered setting in which to showcase their timeless collection.

Providing a comprehensive overview of &Tradition designs from a variety of international creatives, both contemporary and classic, the space offers a curated experience of &Tradition's collection of furniture, lighting and accessories. With an emphasis on classic designs and outdoor furniture, the collection on display has also been selected for its relevance to the local market.

&Tradition Avignon showroom

14 Place de l'Oratoire, 30400 Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, France

Coco Flip Launches new Lighting Collection, Dancer 

Dancer is a new collection of lighting designed by Coco Flip in collaboration with Melbourne-based ceramicist Belinda Wiltshire. Belinda’s refined artistry and bold use of black iron oxide led the design process towards a collection of striking and distinct pieces including table lamps, wall lights and ceiling mounts.

Dancer takes inspiration from the Rriadisches Ballet developed by Oskar Schlemmer, who was part of the Bauhaus design movement in 1920s Germany. The ballet used fantastical costumes and strong geometry to transform the dancers and emphasise their movements. Each dancer piece aims to echo a sense of movement through form and pattern, bringing a strong and character-filled aesthetic to an otherwise minimalist light.

Belinda works from her pottery studio in Preston where each piece is wheel-thrown, hand-finished and fired. Dancer is crafted using mid-fire clay and brushed with black iron oxide, providing a striking contrast against the warm brown clay. Each lamp is offered in three striped finishes—wide, thin, and spaced. Table lamps are available in any combination of these finishes.

Images 1-4: Styling by Jess Lilico / Photography by Tom Ross

Image 5: Styling by Marsha Golemac / Photography by Pier Carthew

Ground Collection by Norm Architects and Massimo Copenhagen

Inspired by the textures and colours found in the natural world, the new Ground collection by Norm Architects and Massimo Copenhagen seeks to evoke a profound sense of home and belonging—serving as a tribute to simplicity and tranquility, seamlessly merging understated beauty with exceptional craftsmanship. Drawing from these earthy tones and subtle hues reminiscent of diverse landscapes, the collection transforms interiors into inviting and harmonious sanctuaries, and with a focus on tactile comfort and enduring quality, the rugs are designed to anchor spaces in calmness and warmth, creating a sensory experience that resonates on every level.

The humble rug is designed to feel at home wherever it is placed. It doesn't demand attention but rather sits comfortably within the space, serving as a foundational element that ties everything together. Ultimately, the aim of the collection is to offer a design element that not only enhances the visual appeal of a room but also contributes to a sense of balance and harmony within the interior environment, where the presence of nature is palpable and fosters a deeper sense of connection and well-being.

Photography by Irina Boersma

Dinesen Country Home Has Been Reimagined By Copenhagen Design Duo Mentze Ottenstein

Dinesen, Denmark’s foremost manufacturer of high-end wooden flooring, and five-generation family company, has crafted high-quality wood solutions since 1896. Their former family house, Dinesen Country Home, is located near the company's manufacturing facilities in Jels, Denmark, and has been an integral part of the Dinesen legacy since 2004 when the family acquired the estate. Recently, the residence underwent a thoughtful renovation by Copenhagen-based architecture and design studio Mentze Ottenstein, signalling a new chapter in the history of the estate and its role in the company.

Built in 1885, the residence is a traditional southern Jutland longhouse with a thatched roof, nestled amid lush green forestry, meadows, and lakes. As a place steeped in the Dinesen family’s history, the home is a living testament to the values and craftsmanship that define the company and the family behind it. While the original framework carried out by Overby was still sound, Mentze Ottenstein reviewed all surfaces and material compositions, introducing a fresh take on colour and working thoroughly with detailing to create a more harmonious experience. The Garde Hvalsøe kitchen features handcrafted cabinets have been painted an eye-catching shade of green as a nod to its countryside location. Elsewhere, a series of hand-turned ceramic bowls from Georgia sit comfortably alongside new walnut and pear kitchen handles. Further colour can be seen in the aisles and small chambers on the first floor, painted in golden ochre, creating a warm and intimate experience.

Fittingly, wood still takes centre stage as the central material palette within the house. The architectural Pawson Furniture Collection by John Pawson for Dinesen in Douglas fir, released earlier this year, sits elegantly next to antique furniture and a series of bespoke new furniture pieces designed by Mentze Ottenstein. These pieces have been made of ash with an oil finish resembling amber and a grain pattern reminiscent of black elm. In addition, deeper-toned wood selections such as walnut and pear are represented, for instance, in frames by Cassetta, which offers a flattering contrast to the light Douglas floors.

The house is designed to evoke a sense of home rather than a showroom while showcasing the stories of numerous exciting collaborations throughout the years. Primarily reserved for Dinesen's friends, design clients and relations to enjoy its breathtaking surroundings and inviting interiors, the house may also later be available for public booking on select dates.

Photography by Monica Grue Steffensen

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Kent Avenue Penthouse by Norm Architects

Designed by Norm Architects, the Kent Avenue penthouse is a one-of-a-kind residence nestled along the Brooklyn waterfront, overlooking the East River and Manhattan skyline. Here, New York’s industrial vibe meets soft minimalism and tactile materials, creating an urban retreat above the bustling city. The open plan solution has been preserved and thoughtfully layered to define different zones, while a sunken terrace invites relaxation with its plunge pool and exquisite views.

Spanning approximately 350 square metres, the penthouse occupies the entire top floor of a grand building along the East River and is divided into two distinct living spaces—one designed for the privacy of the family, and the other a fully equipped guest house.

The residence seamlessly blends contemporary elegance with tactile materials, creating an atmosphere of both intimacy and spaciousness. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking views of the river and Manhattan skyline, as well as the lush greenery that envelops the expansive terrace, blurring the line between indoors and out.

Inside, a serene interior balances the vibrant exterior views, while soft, plush textiles create warmth and tactility. The design blends organic shapes with clean lines, resulting in a space that feels both soothing and stimulating.

An in-built fireplace framed by elegant Carrara marble adds a touch of luxury, while discreet hidden doors open to reveal a private TV lounge, maintaining a clean and tranquil aesthetic. 

In the hallway a skylight floods the narrow space with natural light, creating an open and airy atmosphere.

A bespoke kitchen crafted by Vipp features a sleek black exterior with a natural oak core, blending style and functionality. The steel benchtop adds a refined, modern touch, while the folding fronts seamlessly tuck away to optimise space and enhance versatility within the kitchen.

Situated between the kitchen-dining area and living room, a grand bookcase with a perforated steel back invites natural light to permeate the space, preserving the connection between zones while defining their distinct purposes. This multifunctional bookcase also displays personal family treasures, adding character to the minimalist design.

Transitioning from the kitchen area, a door opens to reveal the adult suite, encompassing an office, bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the walkway, framing serene views of the terrace greenery, with the graceful drape of sheer curtains adding a gentle layer to the streamlined materials.

The bedroom features a wooden bedframe with a headboard that extends to the ceiling, creating an intimate alcove within the airy, open space. Thoughtfully crafted, it serves a dual purpose as a closet on the reverse side, seamlessly merging function with style. The natural wood draws inspiration from the outdoors, blurring the boundaries between the interior and the surrounding greenery. This connection to nature brings warmth and tranquility, softening the modern design while fostering a deep sense of well-being and relaxation – transforming the room into a serene retreat.

The bathroom is crafted entirely from large grey stone slabs, with elegant silver fixtures that enhance the cool, modern aesthetic. In contrast to the warm wooden tones of the bedroom, the sharp lines of the stone create a bold, minimalist look. Soft curtains, consistent with the rest of the house, introduce a tactile element, casting beautiful shadows from the surrounding trees and greenery. Cleverly hidden storage adds to the clean, streamlined design.

The guest unit is cosy yet spacious. Here, a bespoke steel and wood kitchen is accented with elegant butterfly details, blending modern design with subtle craftsmanship.

There is also a living room, tranquil bedroom, a small office nook, bathroom, and toilet. Designed with the same elegant style as the main apartment, each detail—from the soft colour palette to the clean lines—ensures a harmonious and cohesive flow that feels effortlessly luxurious.

A serene haven where urban life meets tranquil living, the Kent Avenue Penthouse is impeccably designed and thoughtfully curated to cultivate a sense of unity and calm—a perfect blend of urban energy and quiet retreat.

Credits 

Norm Architects: Architect & Partner, Peter Eland / Architect, Hedda Klar 

Photography: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

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