ok get ready for heartbreak.
The new IKEA PS 09 line was announced while I was in Sweden. It’s an exciting line consisting of 70 new products designed by many hot young designers like front and hella jongerius (remember her vases a few years ago?) The inspiration for the new products is Sweden’s nature and heritage. That means lots of whites, blacks, reds, wool, and natural wood finishes. And of course some fun twists on Swedish classics!
Svarva lamps by Front. Turned wood cut into tiny pieces makes these fun lamps flexible… Mikkel wall hanging by Hella Jongerius… Karljohan, a small side table or stool in solid wood… Pendel clock shelf, the old mora clock reinvented… Kvarnsten dining table… Sinka cabinet… Sticka blanket or bedspread, also available in off-white with colored stitches… Spraka peppermills… Bruse bench/coffee table…
Ok now for the bad news.
While these products started rolling out in Sweden in February, it seems the US launch may never be. With the current economic crisis, consumers aren’t buying, products aren’t shipping, blah blah blah. And anyway, apparently it’s just not worth it at this time to expand the new line worldwide.
So… on my next trip to Sweden… any orders??!
:: via emmas designblogg and designboom ::
Oh yes, the fun goes on and on. Don’t think I’m even close to being done posting about the Stockholm Furniture Fair & Design Week yet.
I love it when somebody looks at something we take for granted and rethinks it in a way that gives it a clever little extra bit of functionality, challenges what you think of as the norm, or even just surprises you and makes you smile.
What makes me happier yet is that some of my favs here came from the student exhibitions {she pauses to blink away a gathering tear and ponder the future with renewed sense of hope…}
Ah, so simple. so ingenious.
Last week was the Stockholm Furniture Fair and Design Week. It was mad and wonderful and inspiring, and well… I’m still digesting and only now finding a chance to post any of it here for you. I can definitely see though how I could make a habit of attending these things, so next time I’ll have to make it more snappy.
Considering the sheer amount of good stuff to share, I’ve actually had a really hard time figuring out where to start! Not productive for someone so easily distracted. So I’ve decided to start here. With the things that caught my attention on every pass. The things I’m calling ~my favorites~… for now.
A2 is a new Swedish furniture brand established in 2008. The idea is to source all materials and use only local craftsmen from their Swedish region of Småland. Their colorful “Collect” cabinet in particular caught my eye. 
HAY is a Danish company with all kinds of fun things. It was their DLM (Don’t Leave Me) table though with it’s handle for moving not just your coffee but your entire coffee table around with you that I couldn’t resist. Designed by Thomas Bentzen. 
New Marimekko! Always fun. This is just one of many fab new patterns available in the spring. The theme this year is folklore. Sanna Annukka’s Kanteleen kutsu fabric depicts Finland’s national epic, Kalevala. Forest animals have gathered to hear the joyful tunes played by Väinämöinen, the main character of the story. 
Swedish company Abstracta’s Airflake screen is genius. Not only is it a beautiful addition to any space, it’s also fully customizable and functional! It’s an effective sound absorber and even includes magazine pockets. Create your own snowflake screen here. Designed by Stefan Borselius. 
Italy’s emu does such beautiful outdoor furniture. I saw these Patricia Urquiola retrouvé pieces start popping up in mags over the summer and it was a joy to see them in person. I just love the fun mix and match colors. 
Frederik Mattson’s PXL pendant light for Zero. I think this one’s been around for a couple of years, but it still really stood out. Such bright refreshing colors. And that’s not plastic- it’s aluminum & steel. Top quality. 
It’s Monday and a brand new week.
I have to admit I’ve been bad bad bad. I had an incredible week last week full of inspiration and all kinds of wonderful to show you from the Stockholm Furniture Fair and Design Week, but do you see any of it here? Well no. Not yet. And if it wasn’t such a welcome bright sunny day today I might spend all day here posting it for you.
HOWEVER
I’ve looked at the weather for the rest of the week. And well, let’s just say today is too lucky a fluke to spend another moment indoors.
But good stuff coming soon… promise!
what is passion? who needs it?
This is a subject close to my heart. Knowing passion… appreciating passion… well really, it’s what Roam All Day is all about. This weekend ::scoutie girl:: started a new discussion on just this topic.
According to Jan [scoutie girl herself] …
“i think passion is contagious, distinct, alluring, fearless and eager (and sometimes a naughty, fleeting temptress). when you have it, it’s all you need to keep on keepin’ on with a smile on your face & a skip in your step. when you don’t, work becomes work - it’s uninspired and draining.”
You know what I think. My mantra is right up there in the yellow box on the right. It’s also right here in my very first post.
San Francisco’s famous rock balancing artist Bill Dan’s passion is expressed in particularly stunning ways. I can watch him work for hours. Some more [and much better] photos he’s taken himself are here.
But I really liked the questions raised by scoutie girl. They cast a slightly different slant on it… inspiring us to think about passion in context.
how do you recognize passion?
what does it make you do?
is it different for you than that which you appreciate in others?
Would love to hear what you think!
I don’t know who’s responsible. I don’t know why it’s here. A tiny piece of public art… anonymous and small. So easy to miss. Yet what a joy to find.
Thank you, thank you, thank you… whoever you are. Your little angel made my day.
…
::discovered via Karin Eriksson’s gorgeous shop manos::
My obsession today… these bowls in the most beautiful warm hues that make me feel close to nature without leaving my home. According to design collective Loyal Loot, each bowl is handmade from locally reclaimed trees.
Of course, as is sadly the case with such well-meaning intentions, I kind of blow the whole “locally sourced” thing by wanting to ship them around the world where I can enjoy them in my home.
But what can you do.
5:30 pm and we’re well past twilight. It was lovely.
Really, it’s not the betrayal it seems. But for this month that I’ve decided to immerse myself in all things Swedish, it includes foregoing my usual daily design blog bookmarks for some of the amazing Swedish design blogs I’ve become a recent (and huge!) fan of.
these include:
husmusen
fine little day
karin’s style blog
emma’s designblogg
And what a wonderful world of design to explore!
For someone who appreciates a plain white wall as much as I do, I am a ridiculous sucker for wallpaper. And today thanks to husmusen, I discovered the most creative wallpaper I have ever seen in my life.
Check it out. These are just some of many many new designs at your wallpaper. As is typical here in Sweden, the emphasis is on the talented designers, not just the brand. I love it!
…
:: thank you husmusen! :: i have intentionally chosen different favs, though i heartily endorse frida at husmusen’s choices as well. see them here. or, for the full collection, click here.
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