Lolly stool by Gridy // Photo by Kaja Bruskeland
Norwegian design is hotter than ever, and I really wish I could visit the annual Norwegian design exhibition 100% Norway at the London Design Festival that starts tomorrow.
The line-up is set to be stronger than ever, with 33 of the country’s most talented designers presenting their products and prototypes at the exhibition, which once again forms part of Tent London – the international design event at the Old Truman Brewery in East London. 100% Norway 2015 is focused not only on Norwegian designers, but on the complete process of design and production. Every product exhibited this year is ‘100% Norwegian’, i.e. both designed and manufactured within Norway’s borders.
Here are a few of my favorites products by the Designers & Manufacturers that will presented at the 100%Norway. Wood is a very important material as you can see….
Find more information about 100% Norway here.
Hegne // Photo by Kaja Bruskeland
HEGNE by Kristine Bjaadal is a container in turned wood with a ceramic dome lid. The dome has an oculus serving as a knob. The bowls are turned in solid ash and walnut, and the lids are made in stoneware.
The Duplé table // Photo by Siren Lauvdal
THE DUPLÉ table by Alexander E. Åsgård is a diverse table that allows for both serving and seating. The tables are designed to serve the owner needs in as many situations as possible. With the intention to increase its lifespan, and the owner’s connection to it. It is easy to understand and diverse to use.
TREFJØLA (Norwegian for ‘wooden plank’) has been founded with the aim of breathing life into an essential but overlooked kitchen utensil: the cutting board. Using reclaimed wood as a material and employing sustainable local production, the initiative seeks to elevate the cutting board’s status from forgettable tool to prized lifestyle object, with a range of cutting board collections from some of Norway’s most innovative designers, targeting both the domestic and professional market. The boards will span different sizes, colours, patterns and materials, and many will be able to be used for both preparing and serving. 100% Norway exhibits the first Trefjøla collection, designed by Henrik Bie and Lars Ernst Hole, founder of Holedesign, alongside board designs by fellow exhibitors Runa Klock, Sverre Uhnger, Camilla Akersveen and more.
Blossom // Photo by Siren Lauvdal
BLOSSOM by Andreas Bergsaker. Two mirrors and one lamp each attached to a handle which is placed in a wooden tray with slightly elevated edges to keep small accessories and things ready for use. The lamp shaped in the same design as the mirror holders is fixed to the tray, but the mirrors can easily be lifted up and used separately, or angled in the wanted position by a flexible joint. One mirror is normal, the other is magnifying. Inspired by flowers growing up and raising from the soil, facing the new day and stretching for the sun to bloom for everyone. Like ways the user may find Blossom to be an inspirational object to start blooming and blossoming whenever needed!
As Long As You Like // Photo by Siren Lauvdal
AS LONG AS YOU LIKE by Sverre Uhnger and Thomas Jenkins is the two designers’ first collaboration. It is an archetypal long table that can be tailored to any length through the introduction of additional leg modules and tabletops. Made from oak and Larvikite (a stone unique to Norway sourced from the Lundhs quarry in Larvik), the table is their attempt to create a surface composed of contrasting materials, achieving an aesthetic effect while illustrating the table’s modularity. It is available in two widths, and lengths stretching from 1600mm to ‘as long as you like’.
Are you going to the London Design Festival this year?