Glass dome display cases are very popular right now. If you are looking for an alternative to the round glass domes to display trinkets, souvenirs and other beautiful objects, check out this great KUB A mini vitrine by Eva Lilja Löwenhielm. They are made of lacquered metal and with a thick crust in wood or carrara marble.
They are only available at Asplund Store in Stockholm at the moment, but will soon be at Huset this Fall.

Eva Lilja Löwenhielm founded her design studio in 1995, and she has clients such as IKEA, Alcro, AGA, Asplund,  Filippa K, Hotel Birger Jarl, and ROOM, among others.

The sweet doggy patterns that you see below are from the Tillsammans collection and shows dachshunds from around the world, with hats and hairstyles to symbolize different nationalities.
It was created for a very special purpose: Lisa Bengtsson, one of Sweden’s most prominent designers, recently developed a new collection of wallpaper, textiles and posters exclusively for Save The Children. The products are available only in their design shop.

When buying these products, you are supporting a worthwhile cause – to protect and save little ones against violence and sexual assault and to invest in their future by ensuring that they receive a proper education.
“I think that it is fun and rewarding to work with Save the Children. When I received the request, there was no doubt but only joy. I like to do what I can to help, and what I can is to design… So why not do it for Save the Children!” – Lisa Bengtsson



Huset now has in stock the Tillsammans Wallpaper and the lovely dachshunds posters. Come check them out!

Brita Sweden is a family business with a strong tradition of textile production for many generations. Inside the brand that is great grandma’s name sake, Brita Sweden designs and produces organic fabric, kitchen accessories, plastic runners and other interior items.



If there was ever a company with a pattern-filled collection that could shake the winter blues right off of you, this is it. From their bold colors and whimsical patterns to the kooky product photography, Brita Sweden can’t help but make you smile.

Huset will soon have most of Brita of Sweden’s items online, so check back soon!

3 years in the making, the Molo chair is now launched for the Danish company Duba-B8. Molo is an easy to use and comfortable meeting and conference chair. The chairs in the Molo family is available with a runner frame and 4-leg base for canteen, meeting and conference areas and also includes a bar stool. Both the 4-leg and the runner frame is available with an armrest. Further versions are to be included in the family of chairs during 2012. The seating shell is made out of reusable ABS plastic and is introduced in 5 colours; black, white, lemon, violet and oyster white. For extra comfort one can add an especially designed felt cushion. All chairs are stackable.

Molo is designed by Norwegian design group Norway Says. Molo is most likely the last product from the design group since they decided to split up in the summer of 2009. Today the designers Andreas Engesvik, Torbjørn Anderssen and Espen Voll work out of the designcompanys Andreas Engesvik Design and Anderssen & Voll.

As Holly is on a “Scandinavian shopping spree,” I thought I’d let you know about some of the newest items we’ve added to our shop. Of course, when Holly returns, we’ll have many more items to add and I’ll likely make a new post covering those items in the very near future.

From Design House Stockholm -

Design House Stockholm Box Light by Jonas Hakaniemi

Jonas Hakaniemi’s Box Light is a lamp hidden away in a box, to be drawn out and exposed. A light adjusted with the touch of a hand. Forget about dimmers, this is as straightforward as interactive design can get.

Comes in either a black or silver aluminum finish.

Click here to view our Design House Stockholm collection

From Ferm Living -

(pictured from left to right)

Ferm Living Robot Junior Bedding Set, Ferm Living Stem Vases, Ferm Living Pipper Junior Bedding Set

We love Ferm Living designs and the new bedding products are wonderful. The Stem Vases are real wood and are perfect for bringing the natural warmth of Scandinavia indoors.

Click here to view our Ferm Living collection

From Normann Copenhagen -

(pictured from left to right)

The Mormor collection includes: Mormor Jug, Mormor Large Bowl, Mormor Small Bowl, Mormor Sugarbowl and Mormor Carafe

Mormor means “grandmother” in Swedish and the line is designed to bring the warmth of grandmother’s home straight into yours!

Designed by Gry Fager, a recent graduate of the Danish Design School, the Mormor line of dinnerware is inspired by the patterns found on the humble kitchen tea towel.

Click here to view our Normann Copenhagen collection

From Odd Molly -

(pictured from left to right)

Odd Molly Cheque Dress, Odd Molly Cheque Blouse, Odd Molly Cheque Strap Dress

Three beautiful new offerings from Swedish cult brand Odd Molly! Each are 100% cotton and are as comfortable as they are cute!

Click here to view our Odd Molly collection

Want to see all of our newest products? Click Here!

The 2010 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) were awarded recently at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. While most of the awards went to non-Scandinavian designers, we wanted to make special note of the two Scandinavian winners (and then point out one really great design from a non-Scandinavian designer).

If you’re not familiar with the IDEA Awards, let me give you a little background…

Each year, thousands of designers submit pieces to be judged. The designs are judged based on innovation, benefit to the user, benefit to society and natural ecology, benefit to the client, visual appeal and aesthetics, usability testing (i.e. function and reliability) and implementation.

This year, there were 1,900 entrants from designers representing 28 different countries. While most of the pieces submitted were impressive, only 38 would become a “gold-medal winner.”

Here are three great pieces that caught our eye…

Skybar(TM) Wine Chill Drops

Category: Home Living

Design: Tools Design

Country: Denmark

Medal: Bronze

Credits: Claus Jensen and Henrik Holbaek of Tools Design (Denmark)

This ingenious device was created to chill a single glass of wine. The “drops” are coolant-filled and immersed into the glass of wine.

In keeping with Scandinavian Design, they are sleek, modern and have a great visual appeal. As for function, they can chill a glass of wine up to 20 times faster than using a refrigerator.

CAS Air System

Category: Student Designs

Design: Umeå Institute of Design

Country: Sweden

Medal: Gold

Credits: Malin Grummas of Umeå Institute of Design (Sweden)

The CAS Air System was designed for firefighters or any first-responder that must enter a smoke-filled area.

Research shows that firefighters face much greater risk for many types of cancer, including testicular and prostate cancer as a result of being exposed to high levels of smoke. They also have a higher risk of having children with medical issues such as congenital heart disease.

Of course, these risks increase when they do not use some sort of self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The CAS Air System is more efficient than a filter mask and allows for easier breathing.

The transparent window and voice amplifier is designed to improve communication. To enhance safety, a tube with compressed air will automatically “kick-in” if the carbon monoxide level suddenly increases. The system also warns the user of this event with a signal.

This next piece doesn’t come from a Scandinavian designer but you wouldn’t know it by looking at it. In form, it reminds us of some of the designs by Louise Campbell, Muuto or Sagaform but the function is truly the key.

Who would have thought we’d be so impressed with a device designed to trap mice/rats? The fact that the designer could create such a product… one that is beautiful to look at, efficient and humane/eco-friendly just goes to show what is possible when all three attributes are given their due during the design process.

ONEDOWN

Category: Service Design

Design: DSK ISD International School of Design

Country: India

Medal: Gold

Credits: Aakash Dewan of DSK ISD International School of Design (India)

The designers call ONEDOWN a humane rat trap. Basically, some “yummy” bait is placed inside the form which is rested on its side.

When the mouse/rat enters to get the treat, the weight of the rodent (coupled with the weight of a metal insert) tips the form upright and traps the rodent unharmed.

The rodent can then be released instead of being killed.

Norwegian industrial designers Vibeke Skar and Ida Noemi Vidal created these wonderful ceramic pendants that not only provide light, but convey the story of Norwegian traditions, the contrast between the cold weather and the warm clothing and homes. Story draws inspirations from the fact of going backwards to go forwards.

The lamps are called Story, which have been decorated with Norwegian patterns sandblasted into their unglazed porcelain finish. It’s a modern look on a very traditional pattern. It sheds new light upon traditional Norwegian knitting patterns on woolen sweaters and gives a new and softer expression to the cold hard porcelain surface.


According to the designers, here is Storys, story: Once upon a time there was a porcelain lamp called Story. Born in Norway between high mountains and deep fjords, it dreamed of lighting up small wooden houses in the dark forests. With a translucent pattern depicting Norwegian traditions, it warmed the hearts of the travelers it met on its journey.”

Via Liv Blog Spot

Time for contemplation and calmness – Normann Copenhagen presents Valdemar. Valdemar – a chair in a simple and modern design. The chair’s characteristic sides form a private sphere that gives room for a cozy atmosphere and relaxation. Valdemar is full upholstered and the chair legs are covered with fabric to form an aesthetic graphic whole.

Valdemar is designed by industrial designers Martin Kechayas and Christian Nørgaard. The designers focus has been on designing pieces of furniture with beautiful graphic expression and great sitting comfort. The chair’s inside has an organic round form in contrast to the sharp and edged outside of the chair, which makes the chair exciting both visually and in use. Martin Kechayas and Christian Nørgaard explain:” Nowadays there is a huge need for intimacy, calm and contemplation. For that we need furniture that creates room and space – a place of our own. The point of departure was to design a piece of furniture that is a lounge chair and an easy chair in one. Furthermore, you should be seated great and the comfort should be superb. We believe that a chair should be beautiful from all angles. Valdemar almost embraces the user with its big open arms and welcomes in the user.” The chair is ideal for the home to create time and room. It brings character to the living room either as a part of the couch area or as a freestanding chair.

I want a new bicycle for my birthday this summer, but not just any bicycle will do, I’m in love with the classic Swedish bicycle from Skepphult. I’ve been wanting one of these bicycles for a very long time, actually since the first time I rode one over 12 years ago. The classic Swedish bicycle brand Skeppshult is known for their wonderfully built, super comfortable bikes. Cycles from Skeppshult are renowned for their high quality and good design. As proof of this the Skeppshult bicycle is the only bicycle to receive the prestigious award of Swedish Design Excellence.

I have pedaled around Småland Sweden on one of these bicycles, (always rented), and now I think it’s time to own my very own. The only problem is, which color to chose, which do you think, lavender or classic black?

One of the most interesting young Scandinavian designers today is Johan Lindstén from Sweden. He participates in Stockholm Design Week this week, which is an exhibition under the name Check In 10, which refers to the 10 young designers who are “checked in” and exhibits at Hotel Birger Jarl in Stockholm.

Johan Lindsténs design is conceptual in style, and is based on an interpretation of an ancient occupation, embroidery. Under the name Dream about an idyllic place… Johan Lindstén has made a series of chairs where the upholstered backrest of the chairs all have a wonderful embroidered scene sewn on. In this way he gives historical and cultural narratives on each chair.

Dream about an idyllic place…

Many hours, many days, many weeks and years have women in older generations spent on embroidery to catch the typical Swedish idyll. Many with dreams to be a part of that life with a nice little red cottage close to the water and Bambi watching over us.

These stitches and dreams are for most people forgotten and thrown away to an eternal lost never to been appreciated. This furniture’s destiny is to elevate and promote these neglected pieces of art, bring back a long lost sentimental value and mix it with contemporary ecstatic from Johan Lindstén´s vision.

www.lindstenform.com

www.checkin10.com

www.stockholmdesignweek.com