Truly, madly, Scandi The Sideways sofa by Rikke Frost artist Per Kirkeby’s paintings and reflect the raw beauty of nature. Their names, including Seaweed, Clay and Barley, nod to the landscapes that inspired them. Slightly transparent, when combined with wood grains, the effect is one of sophisticated nuance. Design synergy Scandi’s versatility has led to the style often being blended with others, from Boho to Industrial, and interpreted in a number of ways. One of the most enduring is Japanese ‘wabi-sabi’, resulting in the pleasing portmanteau of Japandi: a style that blends the modern rustic feel of Scandinavian design with a sleek simplicity. Rather than key pieces that could dominate, the aim is to create harmony. There’s a greater emphasis on complementary neutral tones, with the introduction of dark stained or painted woods. The two styles work well together because they’re both rooted in comfort but with a minimal, clutter-free approach. This is often borne out by collaborations: Tadao Ando’s Dream chair, created as a tribute to Wegner, as well as Offecct’s furniture collaborations with Jin Kuramoto and Teruhiro Yanagihara. Looking to the future The final piece of the Scandi success story comes in the form of sustainability. Unlike design styles that have leaned on artificial textiles, bright synthetic dyes and plastics, Scandi was in many ways ‘future ready’ before ideas of minimal waste and eco materials took hold. “Wegner was phenomenal at creating fantastic designs in a minimalistic way and using raw materials,” explains Hansen. “If we, our children and our grandchildren are going to survive, we had better think about being conscious of everything what we do. For example, at Carl Hansen & Son, whenever we make a tabletop that is rounded, the triangle we cut off is used for making accessories: we make plates, we make small ornaments. We’ve been sustainable for 114 years: all our waste is used for heating for the factory as well as 470 houses around it.” Design that lasts is also essential: furniture that can be repaired and refinished if damaged, products that fit seamlessly into different interiors and be passed down through families or find new owners are all part of the ‘buy better, buy less’ ethos. Even as Scandi evolves with new architects, the design DNA remains the same. Rikke Frost’s Sideways sofa is a perfect example of a future classic. Created from wood and paper cord, like Wegner’s Wishbone chair, but with the addition of wool upholstery, it features a 45-degree curve to invite both comfort and face-to-face conversation. It’s a gentle appeal to human connection in a digital world. This kind of harmony ensures Scandi design’s continued appeal. We might not agree on when Scandi style began its global trajectory but one thing is certain: its place in the future of design. 24 Magazine 04
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