Top 10: Danish design objects

By Penny Craswell

On a recent visit to Denmark, I was totally overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of beautiful Danish design objects. Probably my favourite store was Illums Bolighus, which is conveniently located next door to Georg Jensen and Royal Copenhagen in Copenhagen’s main square (opposite the excellent Cafe Norden).

From ceramics to glass, metalwork to leather, I have included my favourite Danish design pieces and brands in a handy list for those travelling to Denmark or just wanting some design inspiration.

Hammershøi vase by Hans-Christian Bauer for Kähler, Finnish Design Shop

Kähler first started creating ceramics in Denmark in 1889. The Hammershøi series, designed by Norwegian designer Hans-Christian Bauer, is a modern interpretation of the classic ceramic vases that Dane Svend Hammershøi created for Kähler in the early 19th century. The new version features the same distinctive vertical ribs.

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Object Stories: Blue-Fluted Mega ceramics by Royal Copenhagen

By Penny Craswell

When Danish ceramicist Karen Kjældgård-Larsen was in her final year of university, she had an idea for a pattern that was not only ingenious, but also would make her one of the most successful designers for historic Danish brand Royal Copenhagen.

Blue-Fluted Mega by Danish ceramicist Karen Kjældgård-Larsen. Image: Royal Copenhagen

Kjældgård-Larsen had grown up with Royal Copenhagen porcelain, in particular the classic Blue Fluted pattern her grandmother owned – this iconic pattern was designed for the Danish royal family in 1775 and is still in use today. Read more

Milan 2016: Ex.t thinks beyond the bathroom

By Penny Craswell

Based in Florence, Italy, ex.t has always pushed boundaries when it comes to bathroom design, striving for simplicity and elegance while thinking outside the basics of bath, basin and bowl. This year, they launched two new ranges, in both cases commissioning a non-bathroom designer to create something different to go alongside their bathroom products.

Plateau and Raso designed by Sebastian Herkner for ex.t. Image: supplied
Plateau and Raso designed by Sebastian Herkner for ex.t. Image: supplied

In the case of the new Plataeu and Raso collection, German furniture designer Sebastian Herkner was approached to design a range that includes mirrors and pendant lights in addition to washbasin, console and bathtub. An architectural language is created through the use of a shelf that sits just behind and below the rim of the basin, console and bath, creating a functional space to rest bathroom items, while also adding the illusion of a shadow or extra dimension. The mirror features the same shadow, an extension to the oval shape by way of a transparent frame on one side only. Meanwhile, the Raso lighting pendants in pink, grey, white and transparent glass offer a complementary design object that softens the bathroom interior. Read more