Stockholm Furniture Fair 2019

During one week in February, Scandinavia meets the rest of the world in Stockholm at the annual Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair. The event attracts thousands of visitors each year, who brave icy temperatures and flock to the fair venue in Älvsjö to see the best in Scandinavian design. Highlights from this year’s fair included ‘The Unfolding Village’ – Guest of Honour Neri & Hu‘s striking installation which aimed to create awareness of the issues facing villages and village culture in China – and Anderssen & Voll‘s pergola-like Design Bar, inspired by Scandinavian atriums and Japanese aesthetics.

We noticed a number of key themes at this year’s fair, one of which was increased texture and tactility in material choices. This emphasis on texture in interiors is linked with the increased focus on health and wellbeing, both at home and at work. As a reaction to the continual connectivity in our lives and our reliance on screens, there is a growing desire for calming, more restorative spaces which allow us to disconnect. These interiors provide sensory stimulation through tactile surfaces and textures, and often include references to nature.

Of course, Scandinavian design is synonymous with the use of natural materials such as wood, leather, clay and ceramics; however, this trend is a warmer interpretation of the typical Scandi style, with highly textured upholstery, ‘imperfect’ surfaces and inherently tactile materials such as cane, wicker and stone. There is also a tendency for layering – mixing light and semi-transparent materials such as linen and textured glass. With this trend comes a deeply soothing colour palette, ranging from light grey and warm tones of white and beige, to rich brown and earthy red and chocolate tones.

Here are 15 products we spotted at this year’s fair that exemplify the increased tactility and texture trend.

Font Regular, Mobel

Designed by Studio David Thulstrup, the Font collection from møbel copenhagen is a family of chairs, lounge chairs and bar stools, available with or without armrests. The Font Regular shown here in a woolen bouclé fabric (a popular fabric choice throughout this year’s fair) can be used as a dining or armchair.

ARV chair, Brdr. Krüger

Head Chef and Founder of gastronomic mecca noma, René Redzepi, commissioned Studio David Thulstrup to design the new home of noma and a series of furniture pieces for the new space. Thulstrup worked with Brdr. Krüger to create the new collection of furniture, which includes the ARV chair. ARV is elegant and light, yet its signature craftsmanship accents make it incredibly tactile.

Barba Armchair, Fogia

Designed by Andreas Engesvik, Swedish brand Fogia’s Barba series is named after the French word for candy floss and includes a sofa and an armchair. Barba has a soft, curvaceous form that hugs the body and yet offers a strong, solid impression.

Loafer Sofa, &Tradition

Designed by design studio Space Copenhagen, the Loafer sofa offers the utmost in comfort, expertly crafted to ensure a solid construction, plush upholstery and detailed stitching. An addition to the Loafer lounge and dining chairs, the Loafer version is available in two- and three-seater versions in a range of textiles and colours.

Nakki Lounge Chair, Woud

Continuing the revival of seventies style design, Danish brand Woud were one of several brands to show products upholstered in corduroy fabrics at this year’s fair. Finnish designer, Mika Tolvanen’s Nakki Lounge Chair has ample and firm padding for a comfortable sit. Its square form and straight legs are contrasted with the soft curves on the seating.

Pal Stool, Northern

Pal’s wicker seat is woven from natural reed fibres and integrated into the frame to sit level with the surface. The solid oak version has a smooth disc in the frame that forms a solid seat. Both versions are available in oiled oak or smoked oak, providing a choice of blond wood or dark wood.