The House in Drammen by Ask og Eng

The Ask og Eng House in Drammen, Norway, is a testament to timeless design and meticulous craftsmanship. Dating back to 1868, this historic residence has undergone an extensive renovation led by Ask og Eng founders Kine Ask Sternersen and Kristoffer Eng whose clear mission was to preserve as much of the house’s original heritage while updating the layout to become a living showroom where they can share stories of their evolving brand. The result? A beautifully inviting home to inspire, imbued with history and warmth.

From the outset, sustainability and longevity were at the forefront of Kine and Kristoffer’s vision—the same ethos behind their architecture and design studio Ask og Eng. Specialising in the creation of interiors, kitchens and furniture all handmade in bamboo at their workshop in Norway, their journey began modestly, with the creation of their first kitchen in a humble garage. Little did they know this endeavor would evolve into a commitment to crafting sustainable, enduring interiors for a wide range of projects, some of which have been featured on TDC previously. 

Muted colors and natural materials feature throughout the home’s interior, with bamboo taking centre stage, creating a serene and calming feel. It's a place where every detail has been carefully considered, from the bespoke furniture to the handcrafted stoneware cups and saucers that grace the kitchen shelves. 

One of my favourite areas is the multifunctional office-dining room, a space that seamlessly transitions from work to play. When they are not in Mallorca, where they are currently residing with their children, Kine and Kristoffer gather for client meetings, design sessions, and intimate dinners with friends and family. Anchoring the room are the striking A9 bench and A10 dining table, beautifully crafted in Ask og Eng's Drammen workshop. 

In addition to branching out from kitchens to include furniture collections, Ask og Eng have created the Object Collection, a curated selection of handmade treasures from around the globe. Each piece tells a story, reflecting the unique vision and values of the brand. From the rustic charm of the Pebble Wall Vase by ceramic artist Viki Weiland to the timeless elegance of the Teotihuacán-inspired wall lamps by NYC-based L'Aviva, every item showcases unique artistry. 

Beyond its role as a showroom, the house embodies the essence of Ask og Eng's ethos in a real, lived experience. It's a place where design and craftsmanship converge, where inspiration flows freely, and where every corner tells a story. It is not just a place to browse, here you can also seek guidance on your kitchen planning and interior design, or just stop by to be inspired.

Open Houses are held on the first Saturday of every month, and you can even book a stay at the house, to fully experience the beautiful world of Ask og Eng.  

Interested in exploring more from? Take a look at these beautiful projects by the Norwegian brand:
Tranquility in Ibiza
Masion Jackie in Antwerp
New Build in Norway

Images courtesy of Ask og Eng

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Studio Stool: A Collaboration Between CHEVRON and Nineties Studio

Through a mindful collaboration, Swedish flooring specialist CHEVRON and Nineties Studio have jointly brought to life the Studio Stool. Designed by Nineties Studio and crafted from European forestry wood collected by CHEVRON, this robust stool showcases distinctive features through its visible details and unique structural elements.

The construction of the white ash follows the same method used by CHEVRON - a family business run by father and sons - to craft their wooden floors. This involves a distinctive three-layer lamellar structure that ensures stability without compromising the authentic feel of solid wood. White ash embodies the enduring cornerstone of Nordic design — clean and calm, yet sturdy and very much alive.

The Studio Stool draws inspiration from enduring woodwork, designed to stand the test of time and embrace the beauty of imperfections. Every Studio Stool has its own unique marks, hues and nuances thanks to wood that would otherwise go to waste. Crafted from exceptionally durable white ash, this piece of furniture becomes a steadfast companion for generations.

Stemming from a desire to blur the line between flooring as a construction material and its role as a distinctive piece of furniture, an integral part of every home, Douglas Bergh, owner and creative director of CHEVRON explains further .’ We had a clear idea that the piece of furniture should showcase the heavy, solid feeling of our three layer flooring while also using waste material. Nineties Studio turned our vision into reality by designing a stool, with a wide range of applications like a side table, bed table or just a piece of art. The ease of use was something very important.’

Photography by Osman Tahir Studio

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New and Noted

There's a lot of design news at the start of the year, so I’ve rounded up some standouts. Stockholm Design Week is back after a long Covid break, there are many newly released furniture, lighting, and homeware collections from Denmark, and an incredible pop-up hotel in Italy to check out…

Stockholm Furniture Fair 2023

After three years, Stockholm Furniture Fair returned last week, delivering plenty of fresh inspiration. A standout exhibition, Älvsjö gård is a new platform for experimental, research-driven, and collectable design in one of Stockholm's oldest manors. The exhibition, spread across 13 rooms set over two floors, featured the work of galleries and independent studios including Tableu from Denmark, Pyton Gallery and Kiosken from Norway and Stockholm Modern, Coulisse Gallery and Veermakers from Sweden. The artist Fredrik Nielsen showcased the installation Mixed Emotions, as shown at the Loewe exhibition in 2022, and the New Narratives exhibition shown below was curated by the fair’s project manager, Hanna Nova Beatrice.

Photography: Jean-Baptiste Beranger

Spring 2023 News from Linie Design

Linie Design is a Danish company that sells handmade rugs in over 70 countries. Combining Nordic design traditions with unique craftsmanship, all rugs are designed by Scandinavian designers and handmade by master artisans in India. They maintain a modern Nordic look in their designs but constantly modify and redefine them to create unexpected expressions and textures. Here is a look at some of my picks from their Spring 2023 collection.

Contrasting bouclé lines create a stunning geometrical effect in Lineal Poem, whilst the tonal palette brings a sense of visual balance and depth. Handcrafted from durable wool, known for its superior softness and warmth, the rug’s quiet poetic presence adds timeless elegance to any interior space.

Lineal Sweep uses changes in height pile and positive and negative contrasts in structure to create a dynamic interplay of curved lines. The meandering rounded forms combined with the deep pile offer visual and tactile appeal, drawing in the eye and inviting touch. The soft, deep pile is made of wool, offering underfoot comfort, warmth, and superior durability.⁠ Designed by Urd Moll Gundermann.

A study in tranquillity, Soft Savannah uses a solid colour in an elegant, neutral tone to create an expanse of uncluttered beauty. Skilfully hand-knotted in pure wool, the short pile offers warmth underfoot and softness to its surroundings for many years to come.

Designed by Urd Moll Gundermann, Cursive Expanse sees a meandering line in contrasting pile length forming a subtle pattern on a neutral background. With an appealing textural and visual effect, this design provides an elegant base for any room. Crafted in pure wool with a GOTS-certified cotton warp, this reinforces the natural, organic expression and ensures superior durability. 

A masterpiece of subtlety, Halo Cloud's clean, minimalistic expression is perfectly framed by the bouclé ends, which add a whisper of visual and textural contrast to the rug's uncluttered aesthetics. Hand-crafted in soft and durable wool with a GOTS-certified cotton warp, Halo Cloud combines the warmth and beauty of wool with cotton yarn to create a classic and elegant floor covering.

Vipp Palazzo Monti Pop-Up Hotel

Vipp has transformed a 13th-century Italian palazzo in Brescia into a pop-up hotel experience, fusing Scandinavian minimalism with Baroque maximalism. The palazzo, which has hosted more than 200 artists in residence since 2017, will be the seventh entry in Vipp's guesthouse portfolio. The Vipp Palazzo Monti, which will open on April 18, 2023, will feature a contemporary suite with minimalist furniture and lighting collections against a backdrop of ornamented décor and art pieces. Danish interior designer Julie Cloos Mølsgaard has realised both the rooms as well as the combined kitchen and dining area occupying the ground floor.

The guesthouse will occupy the first floor, consisting of three consecutive rooms: a hallway, a salon, and a bedroom with an adjacent walk-in and bathroom. Meanwhile, the ground floor will feature a modular V1 kitchen island from Vipp in matte black, taking centre stage in a curious dialogue between contemporary industrial design under a loft of historic Venetian frescoes and over a tiled floor of locally crafted jade tiles. The overall experience of entering the opulent gates of the palazzo is like stepping into an old masters painting. The Vipp Palazzo Monti will be unveiled at the Salone del Mobile, the world's epicentre of design, in April 2023.

Photography: Irina Boersma César Machado

Norm Architects x Malte Gormsen

Norm Architects and Malte Gormsen have collaborated to create a collection of bespoke furniture pieces that reflect their shared belief in tradition, form, and materials. The Malte Gormsen Kollektion emphasizes Norm's soft minimal approach to design and their expertise in craftsmanship. The collection is inspired by a Scandinavian aesthetic rooted in Danish rural culture and references to the centuries-old wood tradition. The pieces are intended to be relevant in their look, shape, function, and quality for generations to come.

Malte Gormsen is known for its fine cabinetmaking craftsmanship and an approach to wood as a living thing rooted in methods used in Ancient Egypt combined with modern technology. The collaboration with Norm Architects aims to create designs that stand alone as sculptures, drawing people to investigate and immerse themselves in the pieces. The collection includes the sculptural wooden MG210 dining table, the decorative and functional MG406 side table/stool, the bronzed brass and leather-clad MG305 credenza, the low tabletop MG211 coffee table, and the large MG407 sculpture available in steel, brass, and copper.

The Malte Gormsen Kollektion pieces are designed with the utmost consideration and respect for the material, adding warmth and homeliness within any interior. The collection represents an everlasting search for improvement and a little twist on the same, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship, quality, and materials. Overall, the collaboration between Norm Architects and Malte Gormsen offers a collection of timeless furniture pieces that reflect their shared approach to design and architecture.

Spring News from 101 Copenhagen

Danish brand 101 Copenhagen has introduced a range of graphic ceramic table lamps. My favourite is Fungus, which features a mushroom-shaped design that provides a distinctive and eye-catching illumination. Inspired by 70's design, and made entirely from ceramic, with the exception of the metal frame, Fungus emphasizes the natural beauty of its material, highlighting the tactile and textured surface. The Fungus Table Lamp was designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen and Tommy Hyldahl, who have expertly blended modern design with natural elements to create this unique and elegant piece.

Sphere Shisen is the latest addition to 101 Copenhagen’s iconic Sphere series of vases. Its intricate texture is created by small circles, reflecting its name's meaning, "mesh" or "way of seeing things" in Japanese. This design evokes delicacy and refinement, and will no doubt add a touch of elegance and beauty to any living space.

101 Copenhagen also recently launched TRIBU, a unique, architectural furniture collection. The collection features a bench and a stool with an enduring fibre concrete base. Paired with linen cushions, the pieces provide an elegant and comfortable place to sit and relax. 

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