Spring news
Spring is in the air with an insight into the world of designers as Note Design Studio, Anderssen & Voll and Broberg & Ridderstråle share their thoughts on the 2017 design year.
Susanna Wåhlin,
Note Design Studio
What colours would you like to see more of this spring?
We are trying to think long-lived and take our cue from projects instead of trends. But right now I am mad about terracotta, rich mustard yellow and brown shades. Warm and rich. And we often go for pink, right now faded, dusky pink tones with a touch of gold.
What materials are particularly interesting right now?
Here at Note we use a lot of materials. We like materials with a lot of character such as terrazzo with prominent patterns – we’ll be continuing to work with that. Natural stone, marble and limestone are other favourites. We often use tiles, and they can be used for so much more than just bathrooms and kitchens, such as tiling surfaces on tables and benches. The choice of material always depends on the requirements we have to take into account when working on a project.
What inspires you?
I enjoy looking at other great designers, right now the Bouroullec brothers.
Johan Ridderstråle,
Broberg & Ridderstråle
What materials are particularly exciting right now?
We like contrasts in materials, warm leather alongside cold stone. Transparent glass is fun to juxtapose with something heavy. Contrasts that balance and accentuate one another.
Do you have any interesting products in progress?
We like the Bonnet armchair very much. We have now developed a two and three-seater version. It’s small, neat and easy to arrange, but still very comfy. It’s suitable for both private and public environments and works in a variety of groupings.
What are your primary challenges today?
As designers, we are faced with the challenge of balancing efforts to offer a low price with requirements for products to be manufactured under decent social and environmental conditions. We do our bit, but few are prepared to pay the price. There are two ways to go. Either we produce in low-cost countries, which is a short-term solution. Or we opt for sustainability and require quality to be in proportion to price.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Inspiration comes from different places and at any time. However, when travelling, I’m alert to my surroundings and especially observant. It’s probably chiefly about putting yourself in situations where you have the opportunity to study something minutely and in depth, that’s inspiring.
What do you want to bring to the industry?
Perhaps curiosity about details and materials. That you don’t always need to make a big noise in order to get on. It’s a matter of weighing up what you want to contribute in the context.
What have you seen enough of now?
I think that materials gradually mature and the view of them changes. Brass, for example. It was new and exciting when it first appeared. Now the material is all over and we see it for what properties it actually has. It’s stupid really to say that you get tired of things. The basis of good design is that a product should be enduring.
Torbjørn Anderssen,
Anderssen & Voll
Which colours will we be seeing more of in the coming months?
We have seen a lot of deep blue and bright green. Now brown shades seem to be taking over. Warm beige tones. One colour that we haven’t seen for a long time, but which seems to be coming back is pale purple, tending towards lilac. When we decide on colours, it’s important the colour offers ambiguity. That it can be perceived in numerous different ways and that it has intensity and potential to function in a variety of ways together with other colours.
What materials will we see more of in 2017?
We will first and foremost see greater focus on pure materials. That they are combined in a positive way and that the entire production chain is sustainable. Durability and sustainability have already gone from “nice to have” to “must have”.
Do you have any interesting products in progress?
We have many exciting projects in hand, including a new bench of solid wood for Vestre. The bench is manufactured in Sweden and is intended to be used as outdoor furniture.
What inspires you right now?
The fundamental idea of 100-year products that is the core of our own brand Nedre Foss. Products should be usable for at least 100 years and still stand up, both aesthetically and physically.
What are your primary challenges today?
There are so many suppliers who already make attractive things. The challenge lies in designing beautiful products that also have a strong purpose. I also see phasing out polyurethane foam from upholstered furniture as a major challenge. It’s necessary, but it will demand a brand new way of thinking in order to produce padded furniture in the future.
What have you seen enough of?
Personally, I am tired of velour, brass, bronze and marble – they can be attractive, but it’s time for a change. I would rather see solid wood, leather, wool fabrics and perhaps granite as opposed to marble. Granite is also a much stronger material.
