Page 42 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Stockholm

40  in T roducin G ST ockholm

Swedish Style

Swedish design first attracted international attention at the
1925 World Exhibition in Paris, when glassware in particular
took the world by storm, and the concept of “Swedish Grace”
was launched. The nation’s design tradition is characterized by
its simplicity and functionality with an emphasis on natural
materials. Swedish designers and architects are renowned for
creating simple, attractive “human” objects for everyday use.
The 1990s marked the beginning of a new golden age in
which contemporary Swedish design once more won Stoneware, Hans Hedberg
worldwide acclaim. Swedish stoneware from the
1940s, 1950s and 1960s attracts
worldwide attention, and
collectors tend to snap up
anything they can find.

Armchair (1969), Bruno Mathsson
Bruno Mathsson, one of Sweden’s most celebrated
20th-century furniture designers, is one of the
creators of what came to be known as the “Swedish
Modern” style. He designed the first version of the
Pernilla armchair in 1942.
Simplicity is
the concept
most closely
associated with
Swedish style.
Pale wood is
characteristic
of its design.

Rag mats are
produced using an
old Swedish
weaving tradition
taken up by Karin
Larsson, whose
skill as a textile
designer is now
widely recognized.
Bureau (1952), Josef Frank
Frank was born in Austria but worked in
Sweden and was another disciple of the
“Swedish Modern” style. He is best known
for his printed textiles for Svenskt Tenn (see
p186), but also designed furniture.
Carpet (1931), Märta Måås-Fjetterström
From 1919 Måås-Fjetterström wove her highly
regarded carpets at her studio in southern
Sweden. Her work was inspired by folklore and
nature, and she created a design concept that
was new but still deeply rooted in tradition.

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