There’s no ‘new finds’ post from me this month, as over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing a peek at some of my favourite autumn-winter 2022 interiors collections. And first up is &Tradition.
The Danish brand is known for its mix of contemporary design and Scandinavian classics spanning the 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. This season, its focus is deepening the physical and visual qualities of home and work environments as the distinction between the two becomes increasingly blurred. All the new additions have therefore been carefully selected for their tactility and functionality, and the result is one of &Tradition’s most materially diverse and versatile collections to date.
The standout for me is the ‘HM10’ lounge chair, first created by Danish duo Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen in 1959 and now going back into production. Inspired by an old wooden tennis racket, they spent years experimenting with laminated wooden frames, eventually developing this X-shaped design in oiled oak. It’s finished with a woven rattan seat and a contrasting solid walnut insert, producing a graceful and timeless piece with a wonderful air of honesty.
There’s more new seating in the form of Norwegian pair Anderssen & Voll’s ‘Inland’ sofa, which balances Italian flair and Scandinavian minimalism. The deep seat and generous cushions are offset by a delicate steel base that makes the sofa look almost as if it’s floating above the floor, adding a sense of lightness despite its chunky form. It’s available as a two- or three-seater, with a wide range of upholstery options.
I also love the look of the ‘Alima’ trolley from Stockholm-based Note Design Studio. A response to the ‘creative chaos’ of working from home, it was conceived as a moveable storage unit for books, magazines and other objects, but it works just as well as a bar cart or kitchen trolley. The strong graphic frame comes in chrome or black powder-coated steel, with a tactile leather handle and a distinctive V-shaped section for displaying favourite reads.
Just as versatile is the ‘Rotate’ table by Space Copenhagen. Inspired by the folds of Japanese origami, it’s made from a single sheet of powder-coated steel that’s cut in two, bent into shape and then welded back together. The three separate shelving sections can be accessed from all angles, and it sits on wheels for easy manoeuvrability. It’s available in four earthy colours (‘Terracotta’, ‘Hunter’ green, ‘Ivory’ and ‘Merlot’ red) and can be used as a side table, a nightstand, a storage unit and more.
‘Rotate’ is one of two small tables being introduced this season, the other being the ‘Tung’ by British designer John Astbury. He wanted to play with scale and create a piece that has a sense of sculptural grandeur, while also being suitable for compact spaces. The result features a circular top supported by three pillar-like legs that recall architectural columns, with a lacquered finish in either ‘Steel’ blue or burgundy.
Lighting-wise, &tradition is launching three new table lamps this season. Named after the pioneering French author and designed in house, ‘Collete’ (above) is a modern interpretation of the fabric lamp. It has a hint of Art Deco style, with a base encased in an off-white linen-cotton blend and a matching shade. The contrasting trim adds a crisp graphic element and comes in black or ‘Merlot’ red.
Signe Hytte’s ‘Herman’ lamp pays tribute to another great writer – Danish author Herman Bang, who shone a light on social issues that many others chose to ignore. It emulates the shape of the lamps that would have illuminated his desk in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the walnut stem, marble base and rounded opal-glass shade create a sense of cosy nostalgia.
Sebastian Herkner’s ‘Raku’ lamp, meanwhile, showcases craftsmanship and materiality. It’s named after and inspired by the age-old Japanese pottery technique, with a handmade ceramic base, a crackle glaze and a brass or aluminium shade whose perforated edge spreads soft light into its surroundings. The subtle variations in each piece serve as a reminder to embrace imperfection, and it’s portable for maximum adaptability.
Finally, several existing &Tradition lines are being extended. These include Anderssen & Voll’s elegant ‘Pavilion’ furniture range, designed in homage to the Langline Pavilion overlooking Copenhagen’s waterfront. It now features a desk and three sizes of table, all with the distinctive curved-steel frames of the original chairs. There are also new additions to the ‘Collect’ glassware series, whose textured surface evokes swirling water.
See all &Tradition’s autumn-winter 2022 launches here.
All images courtesy of &Tradition
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