New Lighting Designs from Denmark

Interior lamps are one of my design obsessions due to their ability to provide both function and artistry in an interior space. Today I'm sharing two new collections from Denmark that infuse beauty, sculpture and elegance into the home. 

Fritz Hansen Introduces the MS Series by Mette Schelde

The Danish architect and designer Mette Schelde is behind the latest series of lamps from Fritz Hansen. Crafted in steel and comprising a floor, desk and table lamp, the MS Series is infused with Shelde's signature functionality and style.

“The MS Series is function packaged in a minimalist design language that harmoniously balances stringency with soft curves. Functionally and visually, the series builds upon Fritz Hansen’s extraordinary design tradition while at the same time reflects the now.” says Mette Schelde.

A Modern and minimal reinvention of classic lamp designs, the series centres around the circle, with each lamp featuring a dimmable function via the integrated on-off dial. Adaptable in height and direction, the floor and desk iterations direct the light where needed, while the table lamp is designed with the same rotational curvilinear shade for angled light, albeit set on a static arm. All three designs feature replaceable LED light technology, ensuring the purposeful pieces last for generations.

“The starting point was the need for a desk lamp in my studio. I wanted a lamp head which, in all its simplicity, would emit optimal, glare-free task light on my desk while being minimal in size. The design is simple and functional and juxtaposes the stringency of the arm with the softness of the shade. That represents harmony to me, which is part of the series’ DNA.” Schelde adds.

Nuura Launches Petalii by Nika Zupanc

Designed for Nuura by Nika Zupanc, Petalii reimagines traditional lighting through the Slovenian designer's modern, subversive lens. The emotive series, comprising a chandelier, floor lamp and pendant light, is the result of Zupanc's ongoing search for an icon.

Taking its name from the botanical word for petal, the series presents the universal form of the flower in a minimal aesthetic, juxtaposing traditional and contemporary materials and shapes to illuminating effect.

Stripped of unnecessary details, white powder-coated metal shades resembling the open heads of flowers emit and reflect soft, ambient light. Polished brass 'stems' on each design add warmth and depth.

"Creating an interior is like writing a novel: different sentences are put together to create a beautiful narrative. The Petalii series is a chapter in the story of the space in which it is placed,'' notes Zupanc on the collection.

The thoughtfully designed lamps work in a range of environments, from hotel lobbies to private dining rooms. Now available to purchase, take a look here. 

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Space Copenhagen Reveals Interiors for The Largo

Space Copenhagen, the Danish design studio, has just completed the interiors for a new hotel in Porto, Portugal. Located on the historic Largo de São Domingos, the 18-room hotel, restaurant and bar occupy five interconnected 15th, 16th and 19th century buildings that Space Copenhagen has carefully stripped back and restored to reveal, and maintain, many of its original features. The Largo is an exciting new hotel concept that playfully subverts the standard notions of luxury hospitality and is the brainchild of Annassurra, a Copenhagen based travel and hospitality group.

The collection of historical buildings was first lovingly restored by architect Frederico Valsassina and is situated in a prime position with views across the Douro River, which runs through the city of Porto. One of the key objectives of the renovation, which has steadily been taking place over the last three years, has been the conservation of hundreds of years of history and the preservation of the crafts and traditions embedded within the architecture of the building.

The Largo’s interiors have been conceived by Space Copenhagen founders Peter Bundgaard Rützou and Signe Bindslev Henriksento to inspire connection; between guests, hosts, the Portuguese community and the space itself. Soft, slightly nostalgic yet timeless, the interiors are orchestrated by a modern design perspective with an overarching sense of slow design and travel.

“For The Largo, we have applied a refined, historically detailed design language that celebrates modernity combined with a sense of an aesthetic slowness in celebration of the city, its legacy and the local traditions of Porto", explains Peter Bundgaard Rützou. This play, at the intersection of tradition and modernity with attention to detail and authenticity, is executed through thoughtful elements of craft, materiality, texture and art. "The materials used throughout are local, subdued, warm, intimate, tactile, and natural. Where possible we have collaborated with local artisans to create an experience, an environment that is elegant, distinctly discreet, sensuous and comfortable." As a result, you will find stone, wood, brass, and soft fabrics recurring consistently throughout the design.

The suites at The Largo are all generously proportioned with thoughtfully considered layouts that consequently encourage a longer stay at a slower pace. All rooms mimic the intimacy of an apartment living room and private quarters. The beds are the centrepiece of the room and are framed by a Renaissance feature of elaborate headboards reinterpreted in a modern way to pay respect to its origin. Ceilings bear the same level of diluted ornamentation bringing the historic context of the buildings into a new and repurposed setting. Paying homage to local craft and tradition each element has been carefully and exclusively designed for The Largo and executed by Portuguese artisans. The millwork, stone and metalwork throughout were carefully created by local artisans, as well as tiling sourced from local tile manufacturers. The wooden flooring, granite portal, entry passage and plastered walls in subdued colour tones further enhance the slow and warm pace, while the ornate ceilings have been preserved with the historical building's original design.

The bathrooms feature large tile stone flooring and bathtubs carved as a singular piece in local Portuguese stone. Each room includes a lounge and table settings that facilitate the experience of luxury in-room dining. The penthouses and townhouses have their own kitchens, and all suites have extensive pantry storage and wine fridges to welcome a longer stay.

The lounge, where guests are greeted at ground level, has a secluded feel. Located towards the back of the building, there is an opportunity to interact and engage, dwell or listen to an intimate performance or talk. Guests can also enjoy the outside courtyard, which is impressively suspended between the building and rock, at five stories deep.

Adjoining The Largo are sister projects Cozinha das Flores and Flôr, a restaurant and a bar, both also under the direction of Nuno Mendes. The restaurant, Cozinha das Flores, celebrates the food, culture, wines, techniques and ingredients of Porto and the surrounding region. The adjacent twelve-seat bar, Flôr, has fast become a cornerstone of the local neighbourhood.

Speaking further on the design, Peter Bundgaard Rützou says "Our wish has been to create a soft and charming oasis in the heart of Porto – a place and destination where you can feel at home, sense the honest and genuine atmosphere of the historic buildings and neighbourhood…A place of discovery, and a place to recharge for new adventures in the beautiful city and surrounding nature.” A beautiful fusion between old and new, The Largo invites visitors to embark on a journey of both inner and outer exploration, weaving together the tapestry of Porto's rich history, culture, and natural beauty.

Photography by Joachim Wichmann

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Mater Launches Børge Mogensen Conscious

Danish brand Mater is known for their strong design philosophy, exquisite craftsmanship as well as sustainable and ethical production methods. Their latest launch is a collection of of chairs and tables designed in 1958 by the renowned Danish furniture designer and architect Børge Mogensen. What makes this unique, is that it is the first time a collection from Børge Mogensen has been relaunched in a different material than the original. A new sustainable and circular material made from waste and developed by Mater forms the seat and backrest of the chair. Keep reading to find out more...

The development of the innovative new material finishes is the result of a close collaboration with two of Børge Mogensen's grandchildren, Emilie Ventujol Mogensen and Sarah Alexandra Moutouh. The visual campaign also bears a unique Mogensen mark, as Emilie Ventujol Mogensen and her brother Rasmus Mogensen act as creative director and photographer.

It is no coincidence that the three grandchildren are deeply involved in this collection. Emilie Ventujol Mogensen and Sarah Alexandra Moutouh are both designers, and together with the other four grandchildren, they are now more involved in the design legacy from their grandfather. A task they approach in a very humble way because, as they say, " It is not just our family's heritage, but Denmark's.”

"Our family shares the understanding that just because you can produce some of Børge's designs, it does not mean that you have to. It needs to make sense in ways that cannot necessarily be measured. It must be driven by visionaries who do not accept the world's status quo. This is how we perceive Mater. They are on an important mission working with circular production. The future calls for companies that take that responsibility and manage to make it into a solid and lucrative business. We would like to support that with our family's name and values." —Grand daughter of Børge Mogensen, Emilie Ventujol Mogensen

"Working with the Mogensen family has been a fantastic opportunity for Mater. It has been very motivating to put a collection from the 1950s into production in new circular materials. It gives the furniture a completely new expression and materiality.” —Founder of Mater and Head of Circular Transformation, Henrik Marstrand

Launching Mater Circular Material //— A circular waste composite

The seat and the backrest of the new chair are made from upcycled fibre-based waste materials and plastic waste mixed with sawdust from the FSC wooden base of the chair, in short, Mater Circular Material.

Mater has developed this innovative technology for press moulding many kinds of furniture. The technique allows efficient upcycling of industrial waste and, at the same time, reduces carbon emissions. For this collection, industrial waste from Grohe and BKI Kaffe get mixed with sawdust.

Henrik Marstrand is also responsible for the product development of the collection and the cooperation with Emilie and Sarah. He says; "When launching a new collection, we always make sure that it supports our vision to use upcycled plastic and other waste materials. We are confident that The Børge Mogensen Conscious collection will make a significant positive impression in our industry.”

The new composite material is designed to be reprocessed again and again. Anything made with Mater Circular Material can be recycled and made into new furniture up to five times. This is an essential step towards Mater's vision of becoming one hundred percent circular.

The chair is available in three editions, each with a different combination of finish and material.  Find out more here. All wood is 100% FSC certified oak or beech, and the dining table is produced in 100% FSC soaped certified oak.

Credits

Creative Direction by Emilie Ventujol Mogensen 

Photography by Rasmus Mogensen

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