Striking a balance between aesthetics and function.
Scandinavian design has always captivated an international audience.
Starting in the early 1950s, architects and interior designers in Europe and America were drawn towards the clean, light, elegant lines that characterised 'Scandinavian'. And architects and interior designers are turning once again to applying 'Scandinavian' in homes and offices.
Chris Watson, MD, Kinnarps (UAE and Qatar) says, "The clean light lines of Swedish furniture offer an alternative to heavier, more traditional furniture. Natural materials such as oak, beech and birch are very much in use, offering a harmonious result that brings to mind the crisp cold forests of Sweden itself. These types of materials make people feel good about living and working in their environment."
In addition to a high prevalence of wood, Swedish furniture also uses the most modern technology and materials. Fabrics are simple, clear and attractive. While Swedish furniture has become a 'must have' in many homes around the world, it has simultaneously built a strong reputation for itself in the office also.
Swedish, Danish and Finnish furniture is the first choice in European and American offices of web designers, e-trade companies, consultants and others in the booming new media sector. These buyers are attracted to clean designs and precision workmanship that have always been Scandinavian hallmarks.
Clean designs
"The clean designs of Swedish furniture are emphasised by high quality precision workmanship," says Watson. "The quality is ensured when Swedish companies manufacture their products in Sweden."
In Sweden, quality goes hand-in-hand with environmental thinking.
Companies manage their resources in order to reduce their negative impact on the environment. Oak, beech and birch are grown in sustainable forests, promising many more years of beautiful furniture. "We at Kinnarps are pioneers in environmental matters," says Watson. "We don't use disposable packaging for our products. We actually ship back the packaging to Sweden to be recycled."
A key feature of many Swedish pieces is the simple way they deviate from traditional furniture, adding extra elements which make them more comfortable or stylish. Scandinavian furniture hasn't got as popular as it is simply because of how good it looks, although that's a bonus.
Swedish furniture designers are always looking at the functionality of the products they design. There's no point of looking good if the furniture doesn't make life easier for people.
Who wants an uncomfortable chair or a table at the wrong level?
"Swedish design pays great attention to human needs and ergonomics," explains Watson. "If you are designing an office, it needs to look good, but the most important thing is actually to increase the efficiency and productivity of the workforce. You have to choose a balance between aesthetics and function, and this is something that Swedish designers do with every product they create."
