Visual and mindful pleasure in an often chaotic world
Livingly is a playful and poetic universe of hanging sculptures, decorative mobiles, and sophisticated paper craft with an ambition of creating design, that makes people feel calm, uplifted and at home, even when you’re far away from home.
The story about Livingly started years ago, when the company was built upon a proud heritage from the Danish artist and silversmiths Annie & Bent Knudsen, who put their talents into designing Christmas ornaments and mobiles.
In 2008 the company was sold to the creative couple Kent Sejdelin and Louise Helmersen. Kent has a background in project management and sales and his wife Louise is an architect and designer. They both saw a great potential of fulfilment in starting Livingly, because of the mindful pleasure of designing something with your hands, and the endless opportunities of visual beauty in working with hanging sculptures, decorative mobiles and sophisticated paper craft.
And so Livingly was put into the world for one simple reason; to create a visual and mindful experience in an often chaotic world. The company started as a local idea, but grew quickly into a global company with big intentions and beautiful outcomes.
The ambition of social and environmental responsibility
Livingly is of course rooted in the love for good Danish design and the feast for the eye, but the company is also built upon an ambition of a social and environmental responsibility. This is a very important part of Livingly and the people who are producing Livinglys products are highly valued homeworkers. This means that all products made by Livingly is high standard, handmade luxury products, made by devoted people to create pleasure in peoples’ lives & homes.
One of the key values in Livingly´s vision, is to care for people and care for the environment. Therefore all material used in Livingly´s production originates from sustainable and environment friendly production. This means that all paper and wood used in production originates from sustainable forestry and environmental responsible companies in Europe.
Proud supplier of high quality products and custom-made projects
Since 2008 Livingly has grown from local to global and today the company is the proud supplier of high quality products, which are being sold at different profiled wholesalers in more than 20 countries. The customers include art and design museums, gift and department stores, interior and furniture stores, book stores, hotels and city monuments.
For Livingly, it´s all about the love of decoration, the satisfaction of the senses to the eye of the beholder and seeking new creative possibilities within their own products and custom-made projects. It is with great pride, that Livingly have made the decoration of the high end department store John Lewis and Partners in UK, Christmas decorations for Hotêl de Crillon in Paris, custom-made greeting cards for Christian Dior and custom-made products and co-branding for COS, Bauhaus Museum in Dessau and Tivoli in Copenhagen.
Nothing is too creative, too fun or too ambitious for Livingly.
Folded paper butterflies
Flying butterflies of paper are beautiful and poetic elements to add to your interior decoration. Create a light and summer-like feeling when in a window or above a plant.
The butterflies come as mobiles and a selection of single ornaments in pastel colors.
ANNIVERSARY
In 2022 we celebrated the 70 year’s anniversary of Anni & Bent Knudsen by making a series of anniversary mobiles – the “Bubble Mobiles”. Each mobile have 7 “bubbles” representing the 7 decades passing, and it is meant to add a funny, colourful and bubbling detail to your interior.
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Klimt Mobile ·
10 1/4" x 14 1/8"
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Density
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Gustav Klimt was a great Austrian artist who worked with characteristic patterns and often used gold in his artworks. This Livingly mobile is created as a tribute to Klimt and his importance to history.
“Black sun” is the term Danes use for the large flocks of birds flying in beautiful formations over the marshland by the coasts of Denmark. The always moving swarms look amazing and make a great attraction. In spring and autumn the birds stop by the Danish coasts on their journey through Europe.
Letter Mobiles
Livingly has developed a series of letter mobiles with specific words. Livingly also produces customized letter mobiles – where you choose your own word.
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In 1956 Bent Knudsen designed the UFO Mobile, Circle Frame Mobile and Fish Mobile, and in 1964 they were exhibited at World Expo in New York. These mobiles were also amongst the first designs Anni & Bent Knudsen created and exported through the Danish organization “Den Permanente”.
Anno 1991 · 5 1/2" x 9 7/8" 5 710185 002007
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Elephant Mobile
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Swallow Mobile Anno 1983 · 8 5/8" x 11"
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Bird Mobile, blue
Anno 1978 · 6" x 11 7/8"
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Bird Mobile, black
Anno 1978 · 6" x 11 7/8"
201-07-1054-1 · Mermaid · 4 3/8" 201-07-1053-1· Spiral Cat · 4 3/8"
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Mobile · 17 3/4" x 15 3/4"
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Bird Mobile · White/grey/silver 29 5/8" x 27 1/2"
23 5/8"
Hans Christian Andersen Bouquet Holder
Paper cutting cuff for flower bouquetsor place it in a frame for display.
Fairy Tales, Paper Cuttings and Flowers
Floral artist Bjarne Als from Bering House of Flowers has rediscovered the enchanting paper cutting by Hans Christian Andersen called “Paper for bouquet of flowerswith hearts. On the edge, Ole Lukoie with umbrella and candle - ballerinas and ladies with umbrellas are dancing”.
Bering House of Flowers is using the paper cuff with their own flower creations.
Livingly is reproducing the beautiful paper cutting - and it is available to all our customers.
• Artist: Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875)
• Reproduction by Livingly
• Produced in Denmark
• FSC-certified paper
Heart Flag cards
Send a heart-felt greeting with these paper cut hearts with flags. Perfect for souvenirs, birthday greetings and for celebrating international connections.
Each package includes
- Heart Flag with string 3 3/4”
- Hook for hanging
- Writing sheet
- Envelope 4 3/8”
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The Star Mobile with 7 stars is one of Livingly’s most popular designs. Simple geometric shapes with a smart folding technique.
The design is available in two sizes:
• 47 1/4” - In triangular gift box
• 27” - In flat gift packaging
Design by Louise Helmersen
Anni & Bent Knudsen Collection
In 1952 Anni & Bent Knudsen were assigned to redesign the traditional Danish Christmas ornaments. Since then thousands of designs have been created by the couple, and today many of their designs have become collector’s items.
Annual Season’s Design
In 1953 Anni & Bent Knudsen created an elf mobile as an annual season’s design
EST Collection
- a subbrand of Livingly
In 2010 Livingly acquired the paper product collection of EST, short for “Erstad & Stubbe-Teglbjærg”. It consists of traditional window paper cuts and the designs express traditional Danish “hygge”. The themes are fairytales by Hans Christian Andersen, nature, cosy homes and of course lots of “nisser”the Danish word for elves or pixies.
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The Ugly Duckling · 6"
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“Nisse” Playing in the Snow, Assorted · 4 3/8"
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(Yellow/green) Cat in a Window · 4 3/4"
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“Nisse” House · 6 5/8"
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“Nisse” in Heart Window 6 7/8"
“Nisse” in window, assorted · 6 1/4"
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Ice Skating “Nisser”, green · 12 1/4"
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Miniature “Nisser” in Window, Ass. · 2 3/4"
201-05-152-62
“Nisser” Decorating the Christmas Tree · 6 1/4"
References, short list
Royal Danish Collection - Denmark
Illums Bolighus, department stores - Denmark
Design Museum Denmark
ARoS Aarhus Art Museum - Denmark
H.C. Andersen’s House - Denmark
National Museum - Denmark
Kunsten, Museum of Modern Art - Denmark
Tinga Tango, interior store - Denmark
Visit Denmark - Denmark
The Getty Center, Los Angeles - USA
Museum of Modern Art, New York - USA
Guggenheim, New York - USA
National Gallery of Art - USA
Hôtel de Crillon
Christian Dior - France
Le Bon Marché, department store - France
Centre Pompidou - France
Picasso Museum - France
Fabriano Boutique, paper workshops - Italy
Guggenheim, Venice - Italy
Victoria & Albert Museum - UK
SCP, interior stores - UK
TATE Modern - UK
Twentytwentyone, design store - UK
John Lewis, department stores - UK
Deutsche Bank Kunsthalle - Germany
BAUHAUS Museum Dessau - Germany
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia - Australia
MoMA shop in Tokyo - Japan
ACTUS, interior stores - Japan
Fundacio Joan Miró - Spain
Basilica Sagrada Familia - Spain
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia Shop - Spain
2022 70 year’s celebration - Anni & Bent Knudsen Collection 1952-2022
2020 Participation in a Christmas show on Danish TV, making Christmas paper mobiles and ornaments.
2019 Decoration project at Hôtel de Crillon, Paris using Scandinavian Snowflakes in a large installation.
2018 The city of Kolding orders a series of special edition UFO Mobiles for their 750 years anniversary. Presented to the Queen of Denmark at the celebration.
Livingly introduces RectoVerso Poster - a series of paper art posters.
Louise Helmersen is commissioned by Stelton to design a series of Christmas ornaments, Figura
2016 Livingly introduces its first collection of wooden mobiles
Cooperation with Bauhaus Museum Dessau about a collection of cards.
Special exhibition at Kulturøen, Middelfart.
2015 Louise Helmersen from Livingly participates in the Danish TV show “Made in Denmark” on DR1.
2013 John Lewis, UK, decorate all their shops with Livingly designs.
2012 Livingly moves to a larger warehouse and office within Brenderup.
Celebration of Anni & Bent Knudsen Collection’s 60 years anniversary
Livingly produces Christian Dior new year’s greeting cards
2011 Livingly takes over the papercraft and mobile company EST Mobiles.
John Lewis, UK, decorate all their department stores with Livingly designs.
2010 Relaunching Anni & Bent Knudsen Collection™ is a success. Products sell in Denmark, while exporting to Europe, Asia and North America.
2009 Easter exhibition, Koldinghus.
Livingly moves to Brenderup.
Christmas exhibition, Koldinghus
2008 Livingly ApS is established with the sole vision of adding inspiring and original creative Danish artistry to the home.
Livingly buys Anni & Bent Knudsen’s papercraft and mobile activities and rents the old workshop and storage building in Kolding.
Livingly relaunches a selection of classic designs named Anni & Bent Knudsen Collection™
2002 Exhibiting at Koldinghus “50 years of paper art”
1997 Bent Knudsen passes away. Sales and design activities are gradually put at rest Kolding City issues a series of Christmas stamps using Anni & Bent Knudsen Christmas designs (Kolding-julemærket).
Repeated in 2002 with new designs.
1996 Exhibiting at Koldinghus (Royal castle from the 13th century, now a museum)
1994 Danish Television makes a documentary of the creation of the Season’s design.
Repeatedly broadcasted for many years.
1988 Anni & Bent Knudsen recieves the design award “European Gold Star for Quality” in Madrid by CIEMIP.
1987 March 26 Bent Knudsen recieves the design award “Faxe’s Designpris”.
154 home workers are employed and 20 extra in busy seasons.
1975 Exhibiting at The Danish Museum of Art & Design (Kunstindustrimuseet).
1974 The Royal Couple pays Anni & Bent Knudsen an official visit.
1972 Exporting to 75 countries.
1971 Anni & Bent Knudsen participate in a workshop in Githa Nørby’s and Dario Campeotto’s design shop “Dinamarca” in Torino.
Commission from“Gimble” in New York of large Hans Christian Andersen figures for their “Danish Fairytales” theme.
1970 Bent Knudsen creates Viborg’s mayor’s chain.
1969 Anni & Bent Knudsen receive an award from the Danish Trade Council for their creation of and success with their version of the Guardsman Mobile from the Royal Danish Life Guards.
1968 Exporting to 40 countries.
1966 Opening of the new architect made workshop building next to their home. 7.000 visitors within the first year!
1964 Exhibiting at World Expo in New York with 10 products, i.e. the Guardsman Mobile and the UFO Mobile.
Bent Knudsen is commissioned by the Danish Crown Princess Couple to create a silver toilet set as a wedding gift for HRH Princess Anne Marie
1963 Bent Knudsen is assigned by the Danish Crown Princess Couple to create a set of jewelry as a gift for the Queen Sirikit of Thailand.
1962 45 full time home workers are employed, and 120 extra in busy seasons.
1959 Aquire a 20 room bungalow in Kolding, working in the basement. An air-raid shelter from World War 2 in the garden is used as showroom. The product range reaches 189 designs.
1958 Commission of more than two tons of leather elephants and donkeys for the American Presidential Election in 1960. Repeated in 1964 and 1968.
1956 Bent Knudsen works full time with Anni Knudsen in their family company.
Bent Knudsen designs (both in paper and silver) while Anni Knudsen sells the products with great success.
Supplier at the exclusive sales and export organization “Den Permanente” in Copenhagen.
Supplier at “Danish Handcraft Guild” (Håndarbejdets Fremme).
Exhibiting at Charlottenborg (State Institution –Gallery of Contemporary Art).
1952 Mrs. Hansen at Hans Hansen encourages Bent Knudsen to renew the traditional Danish Christmas ornamentation.
Anni & Bent Knudsen begin the production of Christmas ornaments.
Bent Knudsen works part time at Hans Hansen and part time at home.
1950 Anni and Bent Knudsen marry.
1946 Bent Knudsen employed at Hans Hansen Silversmith in Kolding until 1956. (today: Georg Jensen)
1945 Bent Knudsen completes his education as silversmith at COHR in Fredericia.
1938 Bent Knudsen (14 yrs) designs his first commercial mobile, the milking cow “Maren Malkeko”.
1926 Anni Knudsen is born.
1924 Bent Knudsen is born.
