Adelle’s sister is a regular visitor to Sweden.
On one trip she picked up a selection of Swedish interiors magazines for us.
We’ve enjoyed browsing through them…
…particularly having a peek at the houses and products that haven’t appeared in UK publications.
We wanted to share a few of our favourites with you.
Here are links to the websites of the magazines that we’ve featured:
Swedish ceramic production has been dominated by 3 firms – Gustavsberg, Upsala-Ekeby and the subject of today’s blog… Rorstrand.
Pop series teapot by Inger Persson
Rorstrand is in fact, the 2nd oldest porcelain manufacturer in Europe, having been established in 1726. However, most of its early production was based on successful ranges developed by other factories.
Koka range by Hertha Bengston
The arrival of Alf Wallander as Art Director in 1895 was very significant. The factory began producing original, distinctive and innovative ceramics of its own.
Eden range by Marianne Westman
Rorstrand has attracted some of the most talented artists & designers of the day. Names such as Edward Hald, Louise Adelberg, Carl-Harry Stalhane, Hertha Bengston, Gunnar Nylund, Marianne Westman, Inger Persson and Bertil Vallien.
Stoneware ewers by Gunner Nylund
The mid-twentieth output is our own personal favourite – with its simple stoneware designs & informal tableware ranges such as Picknick and Eden.
Picknick serving tray
Ark plates
There have been various mergers & takeovers within Swedish ceramics – the ‘big three’ firms are today part of a single conglomerate – Designer Oy.
Granada pattern milk jug
Rorstrand is still producing great ceramics – take a look at their current designers & ranges.
Of the recent output we’re fond of the Grade tableware designed by Pia Torwell in 2000 – simple, functional & beautiful.
Grade kitchen/tableware
For more information about Rorstrand & Swedish ceramics in general check out the books listed below. They’re packed full of images!
Additional images courtesy:
Fischler, George & Gould, Barrett: Scandinavian Ceramics and Glass 1940s to 1980s
Fiell, Charlotte and Peter: Scandinavian Design
This is the beautiful, stylised and very desireable fruit & leaf design of the Eden range designed by Marianne Westman for Rorstrand of Sweden in the 1960s. The pattern was used to decorate various pieces of oven and tableware.
We have this lovely, lidded sauceboat from the range available at H is for Home
It can be used for sauces, compotes, relishes… and is gorgeous enough to simply keep on display!
Whether it be the physical landscape itself or the flora & fauna contained within it, artists and designers have been influenced by nature over the centuries.
Inspiration drawn from mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, clouds, trees, birds, fish, plants, flowers are all reflected in their work.
We thought it would be fun to take these broad themes and show their influence on the creative process. For no particular reason, we’re going to start with fish!
vintage 1960s pottery plates
We might feature stuff from any decade, but there will, no doubt be a mid 20th century bias as we love this era and are always drawn to vintage pieces from the 50s, 60s & 70s.
Large 1950s green glass dish
1960s art glass sculptures
Stylised fish were a much-used design motif in this mid 20th century period- in art, design and everyday homewares.
Collage entitled Fish Fossil Sea Bed by Andrew Rob, 1970
1960s iron trivet Swedish serving dish (Dukat)
Aquarius series plates by Washington Pottery
John Clappison, Hornsea Pottery Bernard Moss Pentewan Pottery
Hornsea Pottery wall-mountable fish… who needs flying ducks?
Also, the artistic treatment given in cookbooks etc can be quite magical. Two of our undoubted favourites are Bill Charmatz and Charley Harper.
Bill Charmatz – from the Esquire Cook Book first published in Great Britain in 1956.
Charley Harper – from Betty Crocker’s Dinner for Two first published in 1958.
Finally, to show that nature can do a pretty good job herself, we picked up this fossil from a great little shop in Hastings. Preserved in green river shales, it’s 45 million years old (hopefully you won’t be waiting that long for the launch of our website!).
Knightia alta, Eocene period. Origin: Wyoming
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