Scandinavian designs working with makers around the world

Scandinavian designs - projecting an image of purity often characterised by stripped-back looks highlighting clean lines - has been a major influence on fashion as well as interiors, promoting a lifestyle of simplicity and function.

Curly knitted throw on a Nest easy chair - all from Design House Stockholm.

As Anders Fardig, founder of Design House Stockholm has put it, Scandinavian design is "the bearer of certain values" and "expressing characteristics that mostly have to do with practical matters: Scandinavian design is ergonomic, functional and relaxed in expression.

"Today Scandinavian design is a global concept", said the founder and DesignHouse Stockholm's collection covers a wide range of products united by the fact that they form part of the Scandinavian tradition of design.

Indeed Simplicity and function are the main attributes of Scandinavian designs.  At the London DesignJunction2016 fair held at King's Cross in September, new products on show also demonstrated that Design House Stockholm work with designers and manufacturers from around the world.

Here is a selection of textile products from Design House Stockholm.

The Curly Collection

The characteristic of a Curly throw is that it is over-spun in a manner that creates a three-dimensional surface.

Designed by Margot Barolo and Ultrika Martensson, the Curly collection of scarfs, shawls and throws show off a sculptural pattern.  Thanks to its billowing form the fabric feels airy  on  one's skin.
Made in a blend of 50% wool and 50% acrylic, the knitted products are made in Lithuania.

The Knot Cushion

Icelandic designer Ragnheiour Osp Siguroardottir's Knot cushion was created  with tubular knitting on a machine.  The tubes are several metres in length which are then tied up to create a compact knot.  Looking sculptural the unconventional cushions are available in an array of colours.

The Melange Cushion

Melange cushions on show at designjunction2016 in September 2016. © Lucia Carpio.

Designed by Nina Jobs, th Melange cushions represent a fushion of Scandinavian design and traditional Thai crafts, a result of the designer's long-term collaboration with the Kids Ark organisation in Chiang Mai, north-western Thailand.  Founded in 2000 by Allan Gustafsson, Kids Ark is a sponsorship programme to help improve the lives of children who have lost parents to HIV/Aids.  Melange has a tweed effect, made of twisted yarn which varies in colour and as there is no front or back, the weave can be used according to one's mood.  However since no loom is used in the traditional Thai method, there are limitations.  The threads are fastened to a tree thus resulting in warps that are no wider than the weaver's hips, thus limiting as to what can be made.

The Pleece Collection

Created in 1997 by Marianne Abersson, the Pleece collection of ponchos, beenie hats and scarfs, the Pleece collection hhas changed very little over the years, according to Design House Scandinavia.

The colours change slightly from season to season, but the range includes mainly mud, black, loight grey, dark grey and midnight blue, with a new green colour added this season.

Made of a unique blend of 75% polyester and 25% visose, the Pleece products showcases a pleating process that adds volume as well as softness.

Suitable for both men and women, for indoor as well as outdoor use, the Pleece range is considered to be a modern classic.