It's time for the second installment of our new Design Spotlight series where we look at all those classic, iconic as well as up-and-coming design pieces we covet, and the creative minds behind them.
The first installment came from our very own Lisbeth's wishlist. Officially called the Product & Production Manager, Lisbeth is the Bemz in-house design specialist so suffice it say, she knows design. And what a great start it was with a look at some stunningly beautiful and timeless, retro inspired Royal Copenhagen dinnerware.
But let's move onto our next feature which comes from the wishlist of the person I work most closely with - our fabulous marketing extraordinaire, Sara. Project Manager Sara has also chosen a piece from an iconically Scandinavian design house, Svenskt Tenn. More iconic still, Sara has chosen a piece by the superlative of designers, Josef Frank and his Cabinet 2192, pictured below.
What makes this cabinet design so unusual and fresh is the shadow effect formed from the corrugated cardboard-like doors. Josef Frank designed this in 1954, yet it still looks contemporary and fresh. That's talent.
Svenskt Tenn is an interior design shop located on Strandvägen in Stockholm, Sweden, but a shop with a great history. It was founded in 1924 by Estrid Ericson, who recruited Austrian architect and designer, Josef Frank to the company 10 years later. The pairing of Viennese elegance and Swedish functionalism, brightly coloured patterns, unabashed borrowing from high and low cultures and eras defined Svenskt Tenn’s design philosophy and completely went against the ideals of the day. This creative duo designed the elegant and boldly patterned style that continues to pervade the collection today.
In 1958, Josef Frank wrote in the magazine Form: “There’s nothing wrong with mixing old and new, with combining different furniture styles, colours and patterns. Anything that is in your taste will automatically fuse to form an entire relaxing environment. A home does not need to be planned down to the smallest detail or contrived; it should be an amalgamation of the things that the owner loves and feels at home with.” A sentiment that is as current today as his creations.
Josef Frank is still held in great repute and continues to be a source of inspiration for many young designers today. In fact, textile designer Stig Lindberg, whose creations are included in the Bemz Designer Collections (pictured above), quoted Josef Frank as one of his sources of inspiration.
Estrid Ericson and Josef Frank have succeeded in creating that timelessness which so many strive for but few manage to achieve.
Thank you Sara for your wonderful choice and providing such a fascinating Design Spotlight!
Read more about the history of Svenskt Tenn, about shop founder Estrid Ericson, and Josef Frank.
Love those beautiful and very colorful prints! I like the green ones! Love it a lot!
Posted by: Car Insurance Tacoma | February 02, 2012 at 06:04 PM
Amazing designs at home.It really increase beauty in the home.This different thinks are attractive to increase beauty in the home.
Posted by: kit homes | February 03, 2012 at 01:52 PM