DESIGN SPOTLIGHT: 5 NORDIC DESIGNERS TO RE-IMAGINE INDOOR LIVING
MINIMALIST DESIGNS THAT ARE BUILT TO LAST AND STAND THE TEST OF TIME.
“Beauty is the harmony of purpose and form”
FREDERICIA STUDIOS: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Focus: Seating and Upholstery
Fredericia, a family-owned and B Corp-certified design company founded in 1911, stands as a co-founder of Danish Modern Design with a deep commitment to transparency, authentic materials, and human-centered values. With roots in Danish furniture design and manufacturing, their heritage shines through timeless classics and enduring collections that have remained in production for decades. They maintain a remarkable design archive and a wealth of expertise in furniture design, passed down through generations. Their approach to design is ever-evolving, influenced by the dynamic intersections of production, culture, and everyday life. Passionate about creating contemporary originals that honor their heritage while appealing to a global audience, they are devoted to crafting authentic, meaningful, and sustainable designs built to last.
Features the work of notable Scandinavian designers such as Jørgen Gammelgaard, Kaare Klint, Maria Bruun, Nanna Ditzel, and, of course Hans Wegner.
I had the chance to visit the Fredericia company last year. Overlooking the centre of Copenhagen, their showroom is genuinely breathtaking. The quality in their production, as well as form-following-function designs come together to create some of the best furniture I have yet seen in a space.
Click here to see their works.
LE KLINT: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Focus: Lighting
In 2018, Le Klint celebrated its 75th anniversary as one of the most innovative lighting companies in Denmark. Le Klint’s story dates back to the beginning of the 20th century in Copenhagen, where architect Jensen-Klint folded a hand-pleated lamp shade to fit a paraffin lamp which he had designed.
Tage Klint, inspired by his father's design, refined the lampshade's concept and transformed it into a contemporary electric lamp. He established a partnership with skilled artisans and began producing these lamps commercially. The unique feature of the lamp was the hand-folded pleats made of durable, high-quality paper, which gave the lamp its distinct appearance and diffused the light softly. This concept is still in the heart of the 75-year-old company. The craftsmanship of the crossed pleated lamp shade is unique, and it remains a handicraft that is only mastered at their Pleating Studio in Odense. The first Le Klint lamp encapsulates the core values of Danish design: functionality, craft, simplicity, timelessness, and innovation. Its continued success and relevance serve as a testament to these enduring principles that define Danish design philosophy.
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VAARNII: HELSINKI, FINLAND
Focus: Woodworking
At Vaarnii, they draw inspiration from the timeless principles of vernacular design, where objects are crafted to meet the essential needs of many. Their approach is a contemporary vernacular—blending local heritage with global perspectives, and merging traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. The name “Vaarnii” reflects their roots in nature and making; “Vaarna” means dowel, and “saarni” refers to the Ash tree, symbolizing the strength in both materials and the art of creation. Every Vaarnii collection of furniture and accessories begins with natural materials, chosen not for trends but for opportunity and regional availability. Sourced from Finland, their materials are abundant, resilient, and often overlooked. In their hands, these materials transform into essential and inspiring elements of design.
Vaarnii is located in Helsinki, Finland, where it manages its operations, including design and collaboration with expert Finnish craftspeople. The company works with various specialized workshops and factories across Finland, such as the Senkki factory in Jurva, a region known for furniture manufacturing, and other facilities like the Puulon factory in Padasjoki and Verstas Saimaa in Lappeenranta. Each location brings its own craftsmanship expertise to Vaarnii’s product line, emphasizing sustainable, Finnish-sourced materials to produce unique furniture pieces.
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POUL HENNINGSEN: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Focus: Lighting – Featuring the PH5 Lamp
Lamps, by their nature, are inherently dualistic objects. A switch turns them on, and off. Function and form of lighting pieces, hence, may often be cast apart. When a lamp comes alive, however, the way it directs and sculps light shapes its milieu, as well as creates its own internal environment. It must be able to blend into its surroundings, be functionally aesthetic, and contribute an additional dimension to a space. More so, our biological association between light and comfort gives lamps an additionally demanding burden of brightening both our homes and our states of being.
The PH5 was designed as a response to the constant changes made to the size and shapes of “incandescent bulbs” by manufacturers. It was named after the size of the pendant’s primary shade (50 mm in diameter). Henningsen was frustrated by manufacturers’ inconsistencies, and “had lost faith in whether [they] would ever learn to consider common sense.
The PH5 was exhibited––among with numerous other of Henningsen’s designs––at the Glas, lys, og farver (glass, light, and colour) exhibition at the Copenhagen design museum in 1958. It is hence claimed that the lamp itself was designed in 1958, but that is far from the truth. The design was conceptualised two years prior, with only minor modifications leading up to the exhibition. T
he PH5, whose lower shade is fitted with a “frosted-glass diffuser” provides glare-free downlight as well as diffused lateral light to illuminate both itself and its surroundings. It utilizes the careful arrangement of unique shades, the basis of a design which has remained unchanged and consistently popular for the last 60 years. It has become so popular in Denmark that it has been claimed that every Danish family owns “at least one.” The lower shade consists of spun steel, whereas the other shades and anti-glare disc consist of spun aluminum, copper, or brass, depending on the desired finish. The light’s bracing also consists of spun aluminum, which is inserted and threaded through holes in the shades to hold the lamp together. Poulsen utilizes high-quality alloys, and the product itself is incredibly durable. The lamp is relatively light, weighing in at 2.5kg, reducing the strain on its bracing. The PH5 has withstood the ultimate test of use, and acts as a hallmark of Danish design. Its artistic solution to a very technical problem has meshed into a simple, yet elegant product.
STUDIO ARHOJ: Copenhagen, Denmark
Focus: Glassblowing
Studio Arhoj is a ceramics and design studio based in Copenhagen, Denmark, founded by Anders Arhoj. Known for its distinctive blend of Scandinavian simplicity and traditional Japanese culture, the studio produces a wide range of handmade items, including ceramics, homeware, and unique art pieces. Their designs are characterized by playful shapes, bold colors, and a sense of craftsmanship that emphasizes the beauty of imperfection. Studio Arhoj is especially famous for its Ghosts—small ceramic figures with various facial expressions, as well as its functional pottery like mugs, bowls, and vases, all featuring vibrant glazes. The studio's dedication to traditional techniques, combined with a contemporary design approach, has earned it a strong following among design enthusiasts globally. The products are both artistic and functional, making them popular among collectors and everyday users alike.
Check out their works here.
