Sea Curve

Furniture designer and product developer Katrine Bjørn has found inspiration wherever she goes, from Denmark to Vietnam and beyond.

“I have always been very curious and I think that is a natural characteristic for most designers,”

says Katrine Bjørn, creator of Kardiel’s popular Izzah Series sofas. Bjørn grew up in a small city in Denmark, Aars, with her parents and a twin sister she’s very close to. “In Aars, most people know each other and you always kindly say hello when passing each other,” she says. She studied visual merchandising, then she studied furniture design before receiving her bachelor’s degree in furniture design. She moved to Copenhagen to immerse herself in the business side of design and to be able to participate in events. In 2019, she moved to Vietnam to work as a designer. There, she says, “I work with all positions in the development of a design, from the first ideas and sketches to the product development and with customers around the world, including Kardiel.” She’s recently announced she will return to Denmark to work in a similar capacity. Let’s learn more about this talented designer, and her inspiration for the Izzah.

The Izzah 101" Fabric Sofa in Blanc Bouclé

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“GOOD DESIGN CAN EVOKE A FEELING.”

— KATRINE BJØRN

KARDIEL FURNITURE SHOWN HERE

Izzah 101" Fabric Sofa in Blanc Bouclé • Buttercup 30" Fabric Ottoman in Blanc Bouclé • Laguna Chair and Ottoman in Walnut • Leon 28" Fabric Chairs in Rust velvet • Boho Wicker 63" Sideboard Cabinet in Walnut • Kilm 78" Dining Table in Walnut • Berki 23" Dining Chairs in Walnut/Blanc Bouclé • Mid-Century 2-Pc. Orb Pillows in Blanc Bouclé

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Kardiel Modern Home: HOW DID LIVING IN VIETNAM INFLUENCE YOUR WORK?

Katrine Bjørn: I experienced all from a di erent culture, and in my profession, it is important to be able to adapt its designs to di erent cultures and continents, and design according to each individual market. I am inspired from many things, but specially the beauty and organic shapes of nature. Living in Vietnam, there was a lot of inspiration to be found in nature.

KMH: WHAT DOES “GOOD DESIGN” MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY?

KB: A design that can evoke a feeling— both visually and through the tactility, and at the same time fulfi ll the needs of everyday use. Most of all I think a design should have personality. A good design also has a focus on details. The details need to be aesthetic and precise, bringing important value to a design.

KMH: WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE IZZAH DESIGN?

Furniture designer/product developer Katrine Bjørn shares her design process, from observing the natural world, to sketches, to the final results (at right).

KB: The Izzah Series is inspired by the curved shapes the sea creates when it hits the beach. These shapes

create a comfortable feeling that evokes the sense of being one with nature. Everyday life can be busy, but many people feel relaxed and free when in nature. Additionally, the curved sofa makes it easier to face each other having a conversation with three or four people sitting on it. I also draw inspiration from history and architecture. Normally I get a lot of inspiration at Milan design week, which is normally held every year in April. Because of the Covid situation, it has unfortunately not been a possibility the last two years, so I am looking very much forward to the next one.

KMH: HOW DO YOU LIKE HUMANS TO INTERACT WITH YOUR DESIGNS?

KB: I want my designs to bring value for the users, in terms of comfort, tactility and the visual essence of the design. We all have personalities, that we show through our look, our clothes, and also through our

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Izzah 101” Fabric Sofa in Noir Bouclé

THE IZZAH SERIES IS INSPIRED BY THE CURVED SHAPES THE SEA CREATES WHEN IT HITS THE BEACH.

home and furniture. So, I hope my designs help users express their unique personality. That is why I put so much e ort in to do a design aesthetic, making it sculptural and giving it personality and making it eye-catching—but in a minimalist way, keeping the Scandinavian touch. One quote that I always keep in my mind is: “Less is more,” [the famous phrase from mid-century design icon Ludwig Mies van der Rohe].

KMH: SPEAKING OF THE MID CENTURY, WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNERS FROM THAT ERA?

KB: One of my favorite designs is the Wassily Chair, also known as the Model B3 chair, by Marcel Breuer, that was inspired by the tubular frame of a bicycle.

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KMH: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO FRETS, “I DON’T KNOW HOW TO DESIGN

MY HOME!”

KB: Trust what style you like and feel comfortable in. Then attach personality into your home, with things that mean a lot to you, things from your story of life. Contrasts often work well in home design, whether that is contrasts of color, shape, the direction furniture is placed, or contrasts in the choice of designs. Personally, I love the mix of modern/trendy styles with classic designs with a long history. But keep it simple, so you can enjoy every part of your home and focus on the things you love.

KMH: WHAT KINDS OF THINGS DO YOU SEE YOURSELF WORKING ON IN THE FUTURE?

KB: Working with design every day is a pleasure and a lifestyle to me and hopefully I will continue this journey. I am very passionate and curious in this business, and I just love to work with design that makes people happy and makes sense.

Want more? Check out her Katrine Bjørn’s Instagram at @bjoerndesign for more from this talented designer.

The Izzah 101" Fabric Sofa in Sand velvet, paired with Mid-Century 2-Pc. Orb Pillows in Sand velvet.

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The Izzah 101" Fabric Sofa in Blanc Bouclé reveals a sea-inspired, flowing design.

“TRUST WHAT STYLE YOU LIKE AND FEEL COMFORTABLE IN.”

— KATRINE BJØRN

20 BIG INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS

“With a greater focus on staying home, there’s been move in design toward mindfulness and the desire to move more slowly,” observes Katrine Bjørn.

She shares some of the other key trends she’s seeing in furniture and home décor:

1. Floating furniture styles 2. Lower furniture 3. More comfort. Think soft cushions, wrinkles and softness. 4. Touchable fabric with more textures 5. Sculptural shapes 6. Details in focus 7. Emphasis on sustainability 8. Romantic touch 9. Layer on layer 10. Volume and “fat” designs 11. Contrasts 12. Organic shapes 13. Geometrical shapes 14. Japandi style (a hybrid of Japanese and Scandanavian design infl uences) 15. Embracing balance 16. “Less is more” 17. Asymmetry 18. Matte surfaces 19. Bright colors, especially white and light beige 20. Natural colors, especially brown and caramel

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