Tag: Sweden

Designer Desire: Barbro Nilsson

Mosaic of Barbro Nilsson rugs | H is for Home

We’ve featured quite a few Scandinavian designers in this series however, we think Barbro Nilsson is the first textile designer.

Barbro Nilsson (1899-1983) was a Swedish designer who specialised in weaving floor rugs, wall hangings and carpets. Her pieces are hugely commercial and sought after; some selling for over $100,000 at auction and over double that at retail outlets!

The Swedish Rug Blog has a very in-depth article about Nilsson and many of her works – go check it out!

Portrait of Barbro Nilssoncredit

Additional image credits:

Bukowskis | FJ Hakimian

Scandinavian pottery picks

Trio of Scandinavian pottery items: Egersund, Rorstrand and Gustavsberg | H is for Home

Having not found any for a while, we’ve picked up some very nice pieces of vintage Scandinavian pottery recently. And hailing from Scandinavia isn’t all they have in common. Gorgeous, colourful patterns also link them!

Small vintage Egersund lidded casserole pot with daisy decoration | H is for Home

Up first, we have the pretty yellow daisies on a lidded dish produced by Egersund of Norway.

Vintage Arabia Sirpa salt pot with blue heart and flower decoration | H is for Home

Then we have blue hearts and flowers of the Sirpa pattern designed by Raija Uosikkinen on this lovely salt pot by Arabia of Finland.

Vintage Gustavsberg bowl - Bersa pattern designed by Stig Lindberg | H is for Home

And finally, one of our favourite designs – the repeating, stylised green leaves of this Bersa bowl produced by Gustavsberg of Sweden – designed by the wonderful Stig Lindberg, of course.

So, three different countries of manufacture however, a distinct collective look. And if you really like them, check out our webshop – at least two of these pieces will be appearing for sale very soon.

Designer Desire: Bertil Vallien

Collage of Bertil Vallien designs | H is for Home

I had a really tough time short-listing images of the works of Bertil Vallien – there are so many magnificent ones!

Swedish artist, Vallien (b. 1938) worked in the Kosta Boda glassworks for over half a century. He has also produced glass, ceramics and metalware for well-known companies such as Åfors, Gustavsberg, Rörstrand and Hal Fromhold.

1st Dibs, eBay and Etsy always have examples of his vast back-catalogue for sale.

Have a watch of the short film showing Vallien at work in 2016, producing the huge glass piece – Passage – for Kosta Boda in celebration of their long-standing relationship and the company’s 275th anniversary.

Portrait of Bertil Valliencredit

Additional image credits:

Bukowskis

Designer Desire: Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist

Mosaic of Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist furniture designs | H is for Home

We’re back in Scandinavia for this week’s Designer Desire subject matter. Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist (1925-1997) was a Swedish furniture designer and architect.

Arguably, many of her furniture designs have a distinct, feminine feel with their organic, curvaceous silhouettes. For example, her Paradiset range that she produced in the 1950s for department store, Nordiska Kompaniet (NK). The line consisted of Little Eva, Big Eve, Small Adam, Great Adam, Uncle Adam, The Sofa, The Purple Paradise, the Lustgården chaise longue and Fikonlövet footstool.

In the 1960s, she designed the Charlotte dining set for Finnish design firm, Asko and the Skrindan range for OPE Möbler.

A small selection of her work is sold new on the Clippings website and via specialist vintage design sites such as Bukowski’s and 1st Dibs.

Portrait of Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquistcredit

Additional image credits:

1st Dibs | Artnet | Bukowskis