Scan Magazine, Issue 160, November 2023 by Scan Client Publishing

SCAN CLARA LIDSTRÖM ON HOW TO EMBRACE WINTER A GETAWAY TO LOOK FORWARD TO FROM SCANDINAVIA WITH LOVE MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS GIFTS

PROMOTING BRAND SCANDINAVIA ISSUE 160 NOVEMBER 2023

M A G A Z I N E

ARCTIC PERFUMES www.norranorrland.com @norranorrland

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Editor’s Note

Editor’s Note At this point, there is no escaping it – we’re slap bang in the middle of autumn, and here in the Northern part of Norway, where I live, that means a good deal of icy rain, gusty winds and runny noses. Undeniably, it can be a bit glum. But looking at the bright side, when this magazine reaches your hands, we won’t actually be in the midst of autumn anymore, we will be heading towards the end of it – and that means a new season to look forward to. Winter with its many lights, snow-covered streets, and crystal-clear air, may be the darkest season, but it also brings with it many great joys, including Christmas. In this issue’s cover story, we talk to Sweden’s most popular lifestyle blogger and book author, Clara Lidström, about the many ways she finds joy throughout the winter, whether it’s ice-skating, baking or creating beautiful homemade Christmas decorations. For many, one of the biggest highlights of winter is, of course, Christmas, and in this issue, we dedicate our special theme to the greatest joy of this festive season - giving. Looking at gifts from Scandinavia’s famously vibrant interior design sector, creative product developers, and talented jewellery designers, it be-

comes clear that, this year, gifting is all about finding that special something that will last and make a real difference. Indeed the Scandinavian Christmas presents in our theme are all about quality, care, craft, and sustainability. On top of that, as always, we explore a host of beautiful and captivating places to visit, cultural events to attend and places to eat. And, if you are already beginning to dream of spring, why not flip ahead to our Hotel of the Month, where you will find Denmark’s most charming boutique seaside hotel. Indeed whether you are searching for inspiration to enjoy winter, or to find something to look forward to when it is over, you shall not look in vain. As always, we hope you enjoy reading this issue of Scan Magazine as much as we enjoyed making it.

Signe Hansen, Editor

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Contents

In this issue COVER FEATURE 8

Clara Lidström on how to embrace winter The creator of UnderbaraClara, Sweden’s most popular lifestyle blog, talks to Scan Magazine about her new book Underbara vinter, the secret behind her success and why she strongly believes that we need to embrace all the seasons, even the coldest and darkest days of winter.

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How curtain tracks may become the centrepiece in interior design The way Stilling A/S operates its business goes decidedly against the global manufacturing trend of outsourcing production to Asia. In contrast, Stilling A/S, a third-generation family-owned business, does everything in Denmark and takes pride in its role in the society it operates in.

Rainwear from the rainiest city in Europe From Europe’s rainiest city, Bergen, comes what some might say is the world’s most fashionable rainwear. For more than a decade, Norwegian Rain has worked to redefine what rainwear means - the founders tell us how their brand went from a small local store to including flagship stores in Paris, Tokyo, Oslo and Bergen.

FOOD COLUMN

Scan Magazine’s new food columnist Katharina Kjeldgaard, the creator of one of Denmark’s mostread vegetarian food blogs, shows us the most delicious and sustainable way to spice up autumn.

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Contents

SPECIAL THEME 22

Meaningful Christmas gifts from Scandinavia Christmas in Scandinavia is magical, and most magical of all is the possibility of finding that very special something that will bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. In this theme, we look at a number of deliciously beautiful, innovative and thoughtful gift ideas from Scandinavia. Gifts that will not just light up Christmas night for your special someone, but stay with them for years because, this year, it’s all about quality, care and sustainability - about presents that will last and make a difference.

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Art experience of the month Free and poetic – that’s how one might try to describe the unbound nature of Icelandic art, and there is nowhere better to experience it than the National Gallery of Iceland. Comprising three unique venues, worthy of a visit on their own, the gallery allows visitors to explore the world of Icelandic art in each their own way.

The best new events and music in Scandinavia Where to go? What to see? It’s all happening here in this month’s Culture Calendar of the best arts events in the Nordics. Meanwhile, our music columnist Karl Batterbee picks out the best new tunes in the region, and illustrator Maria Smedstad ponders why Swedish feel-good novels are so bleak.

BEST OF THE MONTH

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Hotel Experience Architecture Profile Restaurant Design Studio Brewery November 2023

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Design

Fashion Diary

Fashion Diary November means the first excitement of fall has slightly worn off, the colourful leaves turning sludgy and brown. But while November might be a dark time of year in Scandinavia, it provides us with all the more reason to dress and invest in colourful and comfy garments to brighten the mood. If there ever was a time to snuggle up and keep the ambience cosy, it’s now. By Åsa H. Aaberge

Press photos

Warm, weighty and easygoing, everything we wish for in a superb wool sweater. The Filippa K “Twotone” sweater is crafted from an alpaca wool blend and features a ribbed texture. Opt for a shirt layered under or a lighter cashmere blend roller neck as pictured. Filippa K, two-tone knit, €460 Jersey roller neck , €175 www.filippa-k.com

If this is not a cherry on top, then what is? The Norwegian heritage brand O.A.Devold has a new beanie in stock this season, and we love the ribbed cashmere. The colour is inspired by Devolds heritage “Rødlua”, a red knit cap, rooted in Norwegian folklore that has become a symbol of adventure and exploration. O.A.Devold, “Rødlua” €170 www.oadevold.com

Wool socks are essential to feel all snuggled. The recycled wool socks from the Danish brand Colorful Standard fit above the ankle and have a chunky wool blend made from recycled fibres of wool sweaters. They come in a ray of colours, so you can pick a new colour every day of the week if you wish. Colorful Standard, green merino wool blend sock, €16 www.colorfulstandard.com

The signature jacket from SoftGoat offers a unisex design made in a wool and cashmere blend. The relaxed fit is adequate for late autumn walks in nature layered with something warm underneath or worn as a light overshirt on milder November days or other seasons. The jacket comes in navy, beige and black variations, but we adore the pine hue. Softgoat, signature jacket in pine, €585 www.softgoat.com

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A plush beanie is a must to cover up on cold mornings. The “Oma” beanie in amazon green adds warmth and colour to dark days. Beck Söndergaard, “Oma” beanie, €95 www.becksondergaard.com

Design

Fashion Diary

A classic wrap coat might be an obvious choice for colder days. A bright red one might not be as obvious, but why not? The “Trullem” coat from Danish By Malene Birger feels like the right, elegant mood booster. Crafted from soft wool, the lax wrap silhouette with dropped shoulders makes layering easy. Clinch it around with the detachable belt. Finish off the relaxed style with warm shearling slippers. By Malene Birger, “Trullem” coat in red, €830 Suede shearling slippers, €550 www.bymalenebirger.com

By emphasising accessories, you can refresh your wardrobe. You might be a tad weary of your black coat, but it does not mean you need to buy a new one. Add a colourful accessory, like a scarf and the vibe will shift. The “Kay” wool scarf from Aiayu features classic tartan patterns, its large proportions making it excellent for comfy wrap-around layering. Plus, it is made from recycled materials. Aiayu, “Kay” wool scarf, €145 www.aiayu.com

Add a smooth, long layer with a cashmere cable knit dress from Swedish Softgoat. The deep Bordeaux red adds a sophisticated touch, yet the dress feels soothing for slouching around all winter. Dress it up with sparkling jewellery and pointed leather boots. Softgoat, cable knit dress, €475 www.softgoat.com

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Cover Story

Clara Lidstrøm

Clara Lidström’s blog Underbaraclaras is one of Scandinavia’s most popular blogs.

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Cover Story

Clara Lidstrøm

CLARA LIDSTRÖM, SWEDEN’S MOST POPULAR LIFESTYLE BLOGGER ON HOW TO EMBRACE THE SEASONS Author, photographer and blogger, Clara Lidström shares her life at a homestead in Northern Sweden with an army of faithful followers. Doing so, she inspires an eco-conscious lifestyle through growing, cooking, baking and making, and she is adamant that joy can be found through this in all seasons - even the darkest corner of winter. The proof is found in her new book, Underbara Vinter (Wonderful winter), an enchanting and inspiring collection of stories, recipes and gorgeous images. By Emma Rodin

Photos: Clara Lidström

Back when the blog phenomenon first took hold in Sweden, Clara Lidström was one of the first to gain serious traction with her blog Underbaraclaras. As a keen diary writer, she saw the allure of sharing her thoughts and life online and quickly realised the joy of receiving instant response to her posts and being able to communicate directly with readers. “I remember staying up late at night to write because I enjoyed it so much. The format was perfect and today, some 17 years on, I still get that same sense of satisfaction from sharing content as I did at the very beginning,” Clara tells Scan Magazine. Perhaps that’s why Underbaraclaras has stayed on top of the charts for so long; today it is dubbed Sweden’s leading lifestyle blog. But of course, credit should also be given to the content, which is like a magazine filled with beautiful

Clara’s new book on the beauty of winter is out now.

photography, delicious recipes, DIY tips and inspiration for interiors and decorations, but also personal reflections and opinions on broader subjects. When asked why she thinks her blog has remained steadfast while other influencers have ditched theirs in favour of social media, she says that she may not always have been the best, but she’s always been the most stubborn. “When others have stopped, I’ve just kept going and going. Plus, I’ve never been afraid to speak my mind which I think makes people respect me”. Clara’s platform allows her to utilise all her interests and hobbies which she finds incredibly rewarding. And the same goes for her authorship. She has released several books over the years, on subjects ranging from kids’ baking to how to tackle burnouts, and now she’s brightening up November 2023

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Cover Story

Clara Lidstrøm

The winter bible

tent simply by living life and embracing traditions. But the book is also born from Clara’s desire to continue growing and developing her literary language.

As its title may reveal, Underbara Vinter is an ode to winter, including Christmas, the lead-up to it and the weeks that follow. A project very dear to Clara, it is a book that has been in the making for most of her adult life as she has gathered its con-

Thus, its pages are filled with more than just recipes and inviting photography. It also tells the story of Swedish traditions, supported by snippets of historical events and includes diary-style inserts

the bookstores with her newest addition – just in time for the darkest time of year.

from Clara’s life during winter in Sweden’s north, which is synonymous with coldness and darkness. “Many find winters hard, including myself sometimes. But there is a lot to love and that’s what I want to encourage,” she explains. “I want people to use this book to make friends with winter and the darkness that comes with it. To let it be a friendly reminder of everything that makes winter, winter and accept it for what it is”. Timeless and comforting, the book is designed to be used again and again – whether that’s making Clara’s saffron rusks for the tenth time or going back to the story of her family’s day out on the frozen village lake, ice skating in freezing temperatures with their hearts warmed by the thrill and adventure. “I believe that text can inspire creativity by simply being read, and I want this book to be enjoyed in the same way you’d cosy up in an armchair with a cup of hot chocolate to read your favourite book,” explains Clara. The value of tradition It’s fair to say that Clara is synonymous with tradition and celebrating accordingly. Whether it’s midsummer or Christmas Eve, she embraces the event with open arms, making it memorable both for herself and the people around her. Asked what tradition means to her, she responds 10

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Cover Story

Clara Lidstrøm

“I like the idea of following rituals, and the older I get, the more interested I get. Plus, there’s something special about becoming an adult and having the chance to create your own traditions. I think they’re an excellent way for us humans to dig deeper into the season and really allow ourselves to be present”. In Clara’s world, the traditions around Christmas are especially important and it’s not just about the main event. The magic starts when the first snow falls, lasts through December’s Advent, school plays, Christmas carols in the church, to the slow, pyjama-wearing days around New Year’s and all the way through to St. Knut’s Day when the Christmas tree is traditionally taken down. “It’s about comfort food, people and rest. And I do emphasise the latter. As a community, we tend to work our hardest during the darkest part of the year which, when you think about it, makes little sense. So, I encourage people to embrace winter and make the most of it. Whether that’s lighting candles every morning and evening or spending more time indoors with the people you love,” reflects Clara. “The key is to make the most of what you have right now. That way you’ll not only see the beauty of the present, but also the beauty of what’s to come”, she concludes. November 2023

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Cover Story

Clara Lidstrøm

Saffron rusks: a classic Swedish Christmas treat.

Clara’s book Underbara Vinter is out now and you can find it in most Swedish bookstores. Follow Clara on: Instagram: @underbaraclaras Blog (also available in English): www.underbaraclaras.se

Clara’s saffron rusks Excerpt from Underbara Vinter An enormous glass jar filled to the brim with saffron rusks, wrapped in a beautiful, crocheted ribbon. It was a gift from my aunt Inger one Christmas many moons ago. Simple, yet refined. Since then, I bake saffron rusks every December and store them in a tin jar on the kitchen counter. Ingredients (makes roughly 100): 1 g saffron 1 tsp granulated sugar 100 g butter 2 eggs 2 dl brown sugar 5 dl plain flour 1 ½ tsp baking powder Instruction: Preheat the oven to 175 degrees. Use a pestle and mortar to combine the saffron with the granulated sugar. Melt the butter in a pan, then add the saffron mix. Transfer to a large bowl, crack in the eggs and use a whisk to mix. Mix the dry ingredients, then add them to the egg mixture. Place baking paper on a baking tray. Split the dough into three pieces and shape them into logs on the baking tray. Bake in the oven for around 25 minutes. Remove the baking tray and lower the temperature to 125 degrees. Cut the logs on the baking tray into 1 ½ cm thick slices, then allow them to bake for another 10 minutes. Turn the oven off and let the rusks dry in the remaining heat. 12

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Clara Lidstrøm

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Roomdivision is a popular use of bespoke curtain tracks. Especially for commercial projects, where ceilings are often obstructed by ventilation systems or structures. Here a bespoke system is need to ensure an aesthetic and functional solution. Photo: Pernille Greve

Stilling, the bespoke curtain tracks you never knew existed Curtain tracks might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Danish design, but the story behind Stilling A/S is about much more than just producing curtain tracks. It is about honouring and valuing a craft and about how curtain track installations can play a lead role in interior design and provide the foundation for an ethical approach to employees and the planet. By Anders Lorenzen

The way Stilling A/S operates its business goes decidedly against the global manufacturing trend of outsourcing production to Asia. In contrast, Stilling A/S, a family-owned business running on its third generation, does everything by hand, making attention to detail and a respect for handcraft essential. This approach dates back to the company’s foundation in 1949 when Preben Stilling produced his first Venetian blind, one he developed in his family’s basement and began selling in his spare time. This kickstarted many decades of handcraft traditions on Danish soil. Today, 14

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that is an inheritance the company works hard to carefully guide into the future. The product The bespoke curtain tracks Stilling A/S produces are exported globally and adopted to everything from private homes to bigger projects such as hotels as well as in art installations and scenographies. Based in Brondby – one of Copenhagen’s suburbs – the company tailors its curtain tracks to a degree that allows them to have a powerful and positive design impact, for instance, they’re used to separate rooms to create flexible spaces and seating.

Through the design and implementation process, employees take great pride in working and collaborating closely with architects. According to Stilling A/S that makes them experts in realising complicated as well as creative solutions using curtain tracks. As a consequence, Stilling A/S also strives for its products to be used where the aesthetics and design are at full display, where care has been taken to use the product as a key design tool rather than just another component in mass adaptation. It is the focus on attention to detail rather than quantity that is integral to the brand’s DNA. Humanity at the core of business In 2018, as the two stepbrothers Rasmus Stillling-Schütz and Thomas Trads Hansen took control of Stilling A/S, the company refocused efforts on highlighting the importance of handcraft as well

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as creating an atmosphere in which employees could find value in their product and pride in their craft. To achieve this, they hired a pedagogical assistant specialised in developmental disorders, with the primary task of creating a working environment which was inclusive for people with special needs. Working together with the local council in Brondby, the objective of this initiative was to provide individuals with special needs protection while enabling them to take part in their daily jobs, be trained in the company’s handcraft, and over time establish a successful and meaningful relation to both their work and workplace. Sustainability and social responsibility as a core strategy While it has been the norm for some time now for Danish companies to be amongst the world’s leading companies in incorporating sustainability into their operations and business models, Stilling A/S takes this to a whole new level. “When we took over the business in 2018, we were in total agreement that we should do everything we could to continue the inheritance of the tradition-rich craft in the most responsible way for both the environment and the people we are in touch with,” Rasmus Stillling-Schütz and Thomas Trads Hansen, Owner and CCO and CEO respectively at Stilling A/S tell Scan Magazine.

Design Profile

Stilling A/S

not stop there - the goal is to reach 100 points by 2025. To reach that end, the company is in an intense process of going through all aspects of the business and analysing key responsibilities and initiatives taken to create a positive change for the planet. In essence, a B-Corp certification measures a company’s entire social and environmental impact. Brothers and third generation owners, Rasmus Stilling-Schütz (left) and Thomas Trends Hansen (right). Based on a legacy from 1949, the brothers have invested heavily in securing the continuation of the heritage crafts needed to produce bespoke items. Photo: Emil Lyders

The company has pioneered the usage of recycled post-consumer aluminium within their industry and has undertaken the huge and complicated task of moving its aluminium production to mainly Sweden alongside other European locations. Doing so is no mean feat, not only because of the added cost and the pressure of being globally cost-competitive but also because of the fact that the world’s largest aluminium producer, China, in 2022 produced 40 million metric tons compared with Sweden’s 126,000 2019 (the most recent data) – Sweden expects that number to rise in the coming years. In addition, the company was recently certified as a B-Corp with an impressive score of 89 points, and the ambition does

A critical component of the B-Corp certification is also the company’s approach to not only creating optimal working conditions but also to its responsibility to society in the hiring process. As mentioned earlier, the key focus in that regard is to employ people with social and work difficulties, giving them the right tools and working conditions to not only thrive at the company but also develop skills they can take with them for life. The future Moving forward Stilling A/S aims to expand its global reach while strengthening its ethical standards to a level where society as a whole can take inspiration from its approach to materials and sustainability. The hope is to prove that even in today’s global economy producing products as locally as possible might not be completely far-fetched, but it requires visionary thinking as well as bravery. www.stilling.dk

Left: Bespoke Stilling® curtain tracks serving as the perfect compliment to the iceblue fabrics in the home of Danish designer, Majbrit Weidemann. Middle: Double-layered ‘hotel’ curtains have long been the favourite of many hospitality projects, where a sheer and a heavy curtain are combined to enable better control of the sunlight. ‘Hotel’ curtains can be achieved with either two separate curtain tracks or a single curtain track with multiple grooves. Right: Stillings ‘Perfect Wave™’ system ensures that every ripple fold on the curtain is evenly sized and spaced out for a perfected look. Many believe that this technology is attributed to the curtain fabric, when instead it is also achieved with the right drapery hardware. Photos: Maja Karen

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Design Profile

Tirillm

“Celina” pullover in 70 per cent wool and 30 per cent cashmere.

“Soy” handknitted chunky cardigan, “Alexa” 100 per cent merino wool turtleneck and “Lilli” lambskin cross-body bag.

“Camilla”, a luxurious 100 per cent cashmere dressing gown/long coat.

tirillm. – Timeless design with quality in focus Tirill Mikkelsen received her education as a Fashion Designer from Parsons School of Design in New York and has worked in design and product development since the early 80s. Today, her company, tirillm, is known for providing high-quality, classic pieces that last. By Maria Sødal Vole

Photos: tirillm.

“Our main focus is on quality,” says Tirill. “Our garments should be timeless. My vision has always been that people should be able to put away our pieces for a season or two and bring them out again later to find that they’re just as wearable.” As a brand, tirillm. has a strong focus on comfortable, classic and easy to wear designs with an emphasis on climate friendly materials. “The need to reduce carbon emissions is more urgent than ever, and we think that by using high quality natural materials we are moving a step towards a lower carbon footprint,” says Tirill. At tirillm., all clothes are made with natural materials such as silk, cashmere, mohair, yak fibre wool and merino wool. Interior and home decor textiles are also produced using natural fibres such as wool, cotton, cashmere, linen and mohair. 16

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“A lot of our customers value our use of natural, sustainable fibres and appreciate the quality of our pieces,” Tirill says. “More and more people tell us that they’d rather invest in a high-quality garment that

will last a long time than impulse buying cheap items that are less durable.” tirillm. collaborates with a group of women in India on a line of lambskin bags and cushions. These pieces are produced using leftover materials from other productions which would otherwise go to waste. All tirillm. products are available on their online shop and can also be purchased by and shipped to customers outside Norway (to do so email post@tirillm.no). The pieces can also be viewed and tried at the brand’s showroom/shop in central Oslo. The showroom opens its doors several times a month, often on Wednesday afternoons and also welcomes visitors on request. “I love meeting customers, and a lot of people appreciate being able to touch the pieces to get a feel for the fabric and try clothes on in different sizes,” Tirill says. “We have a lot of returning customers, and it’s so rewarding to get positive feedback!”

Designer Tirill Mikkelsen wearing “Anna”, a warm and soft ribbed sweater and “Sue”, 100 per cent silk trousers.

www.tirillm.no Instagram: @tirillm.no

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Taskula uses nature as inspiration for the colours and materials she uses.

Taskula adapts the interior design to seamlessly match the surrounding nature.

Design Profile

Design Johanna Taskula

Using lighting in the stairwell to create a soothing atmosphere.

Bringing Lapland’s magic indoors Holiday homes in Finland’s Lapland are ever-increasing in popularity, and in them, interior designer Johanna Taskula wants to create spaces that promote holistic wellbeing and reflect the beauty of the surrounding nature. By Ndéla Faye

each client. We want to create spaces and homes with a memorable atmosphere, and each project has its own distinct identity,” she explains.

Photos: Esa Kapila

People from all over the world are drawn to Finnish Lapland’s untouched forests, clear lakes, and clean air; the midnight sun in the summer and the Northern Lights in the winter. “Companies within the tourism industry and private clients want to buy our interior design services so that that the magic of Lapland can also be experienced indoors,” Taskula states. Eco-luxury in interior design is about using nature as a way to enhance luxury. This is done through the materials and colours Taskula uses. For her and her team, the most important aspect is authenticity. “I want to experience the world with all my senses. That’s how experiences become holistic, and this is also reflected in the interiors I design.” Taskula draws inspiration from the Aurora Borealis, as well as Lapland’s fells, trees and rivers, and a key aspect of her designs is merging the interior to match seamlessly with the surrounding nature. “When

the feel and atmosphere of the materials is just right, the whole space becomes a holistic experience. Simplicity and authenticity help to add to our wellness, happiness and peace of mind,” she adds. Respecting nature Taskula founded her interior design office in 2012, and she has an experienced team around her. She is inspired by the world around her, and in decorating, she is inspired by clean lines, neutral natural colours, balance and warmth, as well as successful lighting, which is, she says, one of the most important elements of interior design. ‘Eco-luxury’ refers to spaces that are designed to have a minimal impact on the environment, without compromising on the level of indulgence or quality. For Taskula, one way to ensure this is through creating functional spaces that withstand the test of time. “We design unique spaces tailored to the needs and tastes of

Using high-quality, authentic and ecological materials, Taskula likes to promote Finnish design and handicraft in the interiors she creates. “The new kind of luxury is about savouring experiences and harmonious views – indoors as well as outdoors. It’s all about slowing down and truly enjoying the moment.” www.johannataskula.fi Instagram: @designjohannataskula

Johanna Taskula.

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Norwegian Rain’s Paris flagship studio. Photo: shehanhanwellage

Norwegian Rain Stylish and functional global raingear If you’ve experienced the seemingly never-ending rain in Bergen, Norway, the rainiest city in Europe, you’ll know the importance of sturdy rainwear. In 2008, Bergen residents Alexander T. Helle and Michael T. Nartey known as T-Michael identified the need for a reliable raincoat that also fulfilled a desire to remain stylish. This led them to create Bergen-based Norwegian Rain, a functionally fashionable rainwear label. Meticulously researched and developed, today, Norwegian Rain is a go-to collection for customers looking for iconic and practical rainwear. By Molly McPharlin

Photos: Norwegian Rain

Helle, a master’s student in business school, believes Norwegian Rain solves a problem not just for people in Bergen, but globally as well. “People have different styles, lives, jobs, body shapes. If what you’re wearing does not reflect your personal style, then it doesn’t work for you,” says Helle. “We knew that if you want to make something, it has to work everywhere and not be limited to just a local market or a certain location. Our mission was to create a collection that spanned all the way from classic to experimental.” Helle believes Norwegian Rain offers extreme function in a stylish garment. “This way you don’t need 18

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Alexander T. Helle and Michael T. Nartey, the duo behind Norwegian Rain.

to choose between style and function in your varied urban life. It’s two categories in one. It’s outerwear that is just as suitable for nice weather as storms. It’s comfortable to wear in either.” International Flagship Stores Norwegian Rain has four flagship stores. The first was set up in Bergen, where Nartey, a local tailor and designer, already ran a successful tailoring studio and his own design brand, T-Michael. After this, Norwegian Rain expanded to Oslo, the capital of Norway. In 2017, Norwegian Rain moved outside Norway’s borders to open their third flagship store in London. Britain proved a successful market, but when the building’s landlord refurbished the building, Norwegian Rain had to move. While looking for new premises, they heard about a fantastic building in Paris, in the Marais district. Nartey says, “We put the whole shop in a truck and moved everything across the channel to France.”

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Norwegian Rain’s fourth flagship store is in Tokyo, in the Kanda neighbourhood. “Since day one, Japan has been our biggest market, and it was the right time to expand into a flagship,” says Nartey. “Besides our label, we included unique things from Norway that we really cherish – vintage, mid-century Norwegian furniture and design, as well as art and other objects of interest from Michael’s [country of birth] Ghana. We’ve even set up a hidden bar upstairs behind the garden where we serve Ghanaian beer! Our bar was awarded the honour of being one of the seven best hidden bars in Tokyo by Time Out Magazine.” A New Approach to Retail Like most retailers, Norwegian Rain was challenged during the Covid pandemic. Their answer was to create the Concept Store initiative. “For twelve years we had focused our energy on the products,” remembers Nartey. “We now understood that we had to confront how goods were sold as well. We decided to challenge everything – from opening hours and card payments to the entire concept of retail.” Industry research told Helle and Nartey that 27 per cent of everything made in the world goes unsold. This was a problem for retailers, customers, and the environment. “We asked ourselves – can we do sales with no till, no gambling on how much stock to create, no risk for the retailer?”

Single Breasted Homme Mixed Black.

The answer was launching the Compact Store initiative in Store du Nord, an established boutique in The Hague in the Netherlands. It’s a showroom in a shop. Three styles are presented per season. They are all in black but accompanied by a fabric book with an app that allows customers to view each style in every colour. Customers can also see what materials and what styles are available in the flagship stores at that time. This way they can either choose to order one of these and receive it in two days or begin a bespoke production with the colour they want and receive delivery within 6 weeks. Norwegian Rain feels the Concept Store initiative helps them build a more sustainable business and future. “We believe that A waterproof suit bag and a Walker Homme jacket from Norwegian Rain.

Design Profile

Norwegian Rain

concepts like this are a giant step in the right direction and part of the solution for the future. Being environmentally conscious is not just about making a product out of eco-friendly materials. The whole business model has to be eco-friendly. As a result, we’ve stopped selling in many multibrand stores the traditional way. We feel that the only way forward for retail is this new, sustainable sales model,” asserts Helle. Many other retailers have shown a great deal of support and enthusiasm. “We’ve received a lot of interest in our new Compact Store initiative from other fashion and design retailers, as well as art museums and boutique hotels.” Norwegian Rain’s Global Future For the future, Norwegian Rain will continue to build interest globally in their label. “We have come to the stage where we think if someone is going to invest in a quality coat that is comfortable wherever they are in the world, they should know Norwegian Rain. We will make it our mission to be visible worldwide,” says Helle. The fact that they began in the rainiest corner of Europe is something they share with pride. “To us, Norway is the hidden treasure in the Nordics when it comes to design.” Norwegianrain.com Instagram: @norwegianrain @tmichael_Bergen Facebook: Norwegian Rain A Raincho unisex jacket from Norwegian Rain.

A padded Harmatten unisex cropped jacket from Norwegian Rain.

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Lifestyle

Food Column

The velvety pumpkin soup perfect for fall This velvety pumpkin soup is full of rich, nutty flavours combined with subtle hints of coconut, ginger, and citrus. It’s easy to make and a perfect dish for those fall evenings. I’ve added red lentils for extra protein and creaminess - and, they make you feel fuller for longer. By Katharina Kjeldgaard

Butternut squash is one of many vegetables that I really enjoy using as it is amazingly versatile - it can be boiled, baked, mashed, or sautéed, and you don’t even have to remove the skin as it becomes incredibly tender when cooked.

Easy butternut squash soup with red lentils Amount: 3-4 portions Easy to make Time: 40-50 minutes Ingredients: 1 butternut squash (leave the skin on) 1 onion 3 cloves of garlic 2 cm fresh ginger 1 can of coconut milk 400 ml water 1 vegetable bouillon cube ½ a lemon, the juice

Soup is all about the toppings and here are some ideas. Pick your favourites and don’t hold back! • Sour cream • Apple pieces • Herbs • Pasta • Fried halloumi • Kale chips • Roasted bread croutons • Roasted nuts and seeds

250 ml red dried lentils Olive oil for frying Salt and pepper Instruction: Cut the butternut squash into cubes. They will be blended later, so they don’t need to be perfect. You can leave the skin on as it becomes soft and tender when you cook it. Chop the onion and garlic into chunks. Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil in a large pot. Add the butternut squash and chopped ginger. Sauté everything for about 5 minutes. Then add water, coconut milk, bouillon, lemon juice. Wash the red lentils and add them as well. Let the soup simmer for about 30 minutes. Blend it with a blender and season with salt and pepper. Top with your favourite toppings. 20

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Katharina Kjeldgaard is a Danish food blogger, influencer and cookbook author from Copenhagen., Her blog is one of the most-read vegetarian food blogs in Denmark, always focused on locally sourced ingredients, full of delicious recipes and never boring. She has three little kids and loves going to markets, being in nature – and all kinds of vegetables and legumes. Blog: beetrootbakery.dk Instagram: @Beetrootbakery

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C H R I S T M A S TA B L E I N S T O C K H O L M Join us for a traditional Swedish Christmas feast featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of your favorite dishes, served in a beautiful setting by the coast. Make this holiday unforgettable with a Christmas buffet at Vår Gård. Book between 1 – 22 december.

T H E D E ST I N AT I O N W I T H P E O P L E I N F O C U S S I N C E 1 9 2 4 Vår Gård is a historic conference facility beautifully located in Saltsjöbaden. Already in 1924, Vår Gård was acquired by the Cooperative Federation and bec ame a training center for educ ation of the Cooperative’s store personnel and managers. Today, Vår Gård is a modern, people oriented, Swan-labeled conference and hotel facility.

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From Scandinavia with love – the perfect Christmas present Christmas in Scandinavia is all about getting together in warm cosy settings, lighting candles, and spreading joy. And, when it comes to the joy of giving, this year, what everyone seems to want is to find that special gift that will make a difference, not just for one night but for years to come. By Signe Hansen

Photo: dreamstime.com

Nowhere is Christmas more magical than Scandinavia, where snow-covered peaks, huge pine forests, and flocks of reindeer all come together to create the perfect winter landscape. Of course, not all parts of Scandinavia are EXACTLY 22

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like that, but one thing is the same all over the region - Christmas prompts the greatest celebration of the year. Homes are flooded with candlelight, Christmas elves invade shops and living rooms, and everywhere, the sweet and spicy scent

of mulled wine and freshly baked Christmas treats steam through the cold air. Originally, a Viking celebration of the shortest day of the year – or rather of the end of the shortest day of the year

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Glød Glas Studio. Page 24.

– Christmas is still the Scandinavian highlight of a long and dark winter. And it is not just for children, oh no, the occurrence of mulled wine and the myriad of accompanying home-baked sweets such as the Danish ‘æbleskiver’ (think of it as a round, fluffy slightly spicy pancake) and the Swedish delicious saffron rusks (find the recipe in this magazine’s cover story), will make any adult feel the child inside them somersault.

Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Scandinavia

Golightly. Page 29.

for years, because this year, Scandinavian Christmas presents are all about quality, care and sustainability - about presents that will last and make a differ-

ence. So, if that is what you are looking for, flip ahead to the following pages, and don’t worry if that special someone ends up being you.

Happily. Page 54.

Of course, with Christmas also comes the joy of gifting someone you love that special something, and with Scandinavia’s famously vibrant interior design sector, creative product developers, and talented jewellery designers, grownups may be just as excited to open their presents as their little ones. In this theme, we have a look at a number of deliciously beautiful, innovative and thoughtful gift ideas. Gifts that will not just light up Christmas night for your special someone, but stay with them November 2023

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More art than craft, Glød Glas Studio presents a beautiful display of unique glassworks.

The spark of creation Entering Glød Glas Studio just outside Nexø is like walking into a candy store for the eyes. Underneath the wooden beams in glass cases soaked in natural light, are striking displays of the owners’ unique glasswork. More art than craft, the vases and bowls combine colours, translucent patterns and soft shapes into unique little demonstrations of human creativity and century-old handcraft. By Signe Hansen

Photos: Kristoffer Linus

Directly translated, the name Glød means ‘ember’, but it also carries within it the meaning of a spark that keeps something alive; that spark is what has nourished Danish Tobias Sode and Norwegian Lene Dahl Jacobsen’s passion for glass for decades. Last spring, it ignited fully as the couple opened their own glass studio. “Since opening, we have had a lot of people who seem quite blown away when they enter our studio; they are surprised by what they see. That’s a good feeling 24

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when people see the beauty in what you do,” says Sode. ”There is a lot of glass on Bornholm, and many people walk in here expecting a display of glasses and water carafes, and we don’t have that at all – we do vases and bowls. But what really captures people’s attention is the technique.” The technique which creates the striking colours on display is known as the Venetian technique and has been practised for centuries on the small island of Murano in Italy. It is, however, a highly challeng-

ing technique, which it has taken the two glassblowers years to refine. A journey of learning Having met at the Swedish glass-blowing school in Kosta (now closed) in 2001, Sode and Jacobsen quickly realised that they were both keen to do more with their craft than work in a regular glass factory. Thus, after graduating, they set out to explore new schools and techniques around the world. Along the way, they got more experience with the Venetian technique. “We worked with glass blowers that worked with the Venetian technique, and took a number of courses in the US and Venice,” explains Sode. “I have always been fascinated by that way of working with glass; it is extremely advanced, and I longed to master it. But it takes a lot of practice, and practice is hard to get when it costs 2500 kroner a

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Denmark

Working in their new workshop, glassblowers Tobias Sode and Lene Dahl Jacobsen are happy to demonstrate their craft and explain the techniques involved.

day,” he says, referring to the cost of energy used by the high-energy ovens necessary in glass manufacturing. Glass as an art form Upon completing their travels, the couple ended up in Ebeltoft in Denmark, where Sode worked with Finn Lynggaard, one of the first Danes to work with glass as an art form. “All of a sudden, a new type of highly insulated ovens had made it possible to make glass outside the big factories, but none of the people working with glass within ‘the studio glass movement’ in Denmark were glassblowers, they were ceramicists and sculptors,” explains Sode. “Lynggaard was a ceramist, but he became the leader within the movement and published several books, so I just knew that I had to work with him.” Jacobsen too found work with another glassblower in Ebeltoft, and soon after the couple had their first son. However, as Jacobsen started to long for her

home country, the couple decided to look for work in Norway. They ended up in Ålesund, but soon realised that it was nothing like Northern Norway where Jacobsen grew up. “I realised we might as well be in Denmark, and as Tobias was keen to move back to Bornholm, where he lived as a child, I agreed to give it a chance,” says Jacobsen. Fifteen years and three more children later, the trial can only be said to have been a success, with the couple well-settled in the famously artistic community of the island. The Studio Seven years ago, Sode and Jacobsen bought the old bus garage on Balka beach, just outside Nexø, which they have, today, turned into a stunning glass studio. Here, visitors can view not only their work but also the workshop and work process. “We love having visitors and are very happy to answer ques-

tions and explain stuff as we work,” says Jacobsen. In the studio, the glassworks are artistically presented in glass cases lined with the smooth sand of the neighbouring beaches. “When you work with glass the way we do, it is inevitable that each piece turns into a unique little work of art,” explains Sode. “And that is also the way we see and present them.” Along with the unique glassworks, the studio also presents a design line of stylish craft pieces affordable for everyone. Works can also be viewed via the studio’s Instagram and website, and if you are interested in a product, but not able to visit the studio, the makers can be contacted via email. www.glodglasstudio.dk Instagram: @glodglasstudio Facebook: glodglasstudio Email: balkaglas@gmail.com Photo: Kasper Agergaard Kristensen

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The stylish and comfortable sweaters from Tingvoll Ull are made from Norwegian wool in its natural colours.

Tingvoll Ull - from fields to fashion Natural, green, and fashionable - Tingvoll Ull is the maker of tradition and culture in the form of knitwear. Every step of the company’s process, from pasture to the patterns, pays homage to Norwegian nature without harming it. By Celina Tran

Photos: Tingvoll Ull

Knitting in Norway traces its history back to the 1600s, though it’s widely assumed that the technique has been part of the Norwegian culture since the Viking Age. No matter its origins, knitting and knitwear have weaved their way into culture and society, becoming an essential part of the country’s history. Today, Norwegian knitwear is famous worldwide, with patterns such as the åttebladsrose and colourful sweaters finding their way into homes everywhere. “There is, however, one thing the Norwegian market misses, and that is knitwear 26

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produced locally, from local wool,” says Arnar Lyche, manager and founder of Tingvoll Ull.

Lyche explains that most of the knitwear sold in Norway, today, is produced abroad with foreign wool. It was therefore important to Tingvoll Ull that their production was entirely Norwegian. “We source our wool from local sheep, clean it, take it to a local business that spins the yarn, before knitting it in our own workshop,” he explains. Rose Bergslid, who’s the co-founder of Tingvoll Ull, explains that because they don’t use any added colouring in their wool, Tingvoll Ull’s products are 100 per cent biodegradable, “The Norwegian wool industry already uses white wool extensively, but we’ve noticed that the sheep with coloured wool don’t get the same appreciation. So instead of colouring white wool, we source our colours naturally from local sheep,” she says.

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Norway

“The great thing about our sweaters is that because they’re all-natural, they don’t harm nature. By the time they’re worn out and ready to return to the earth, they can do so without impacting the environment,” she says. Both Lyche and Bergslid note that Tingvoll Ull is a company that prioritises the community, locality, and the planet, which is why its products are sourced and produced locally, from fields to fashion. Knitwear: A small piece of history and identity When Lyche started out as a sheep farmer 10 years ago, he had no idea that the economy in naturally coloured wool was measly. A novice in the industry, he was shocked to learn that he was to receive only 930NOK for a whopping 230kg of wool, especially as the shearing of the sheep had cost him several thousand kroner. Later, during a trip to Iceland, he saw how the locals made and sold wool clothing on every corner, and a lightbulb flashed. The idea of a Tingvoll Ull began to blossom. Along with Bergslid, whom he had previously worked with, he set out on a journey to start a fashion fairytale. “We’ve both worked many years in an office and felt ready to do something prac-

tical, but also concrete for the environment. The fashion industry already takes a massive toll on the planet, so we figured that Tingvoll Ull would be our way of taking action, offering a green fashion option,” says Bergslid. Everything about Tingvoll Ull’s production is by the community, for the community, with patterns being designed by the local area’s avid knitting enthusiasts. Its collections, Fornybar, Kystgenseren and Jorddyrkeren all represent different parts of nature or community, with Jorddyrkeren being a tribute to the coun-

try’s farmers and food-producers, while Kystgenseren represents Tingvoll’s local coastal culture. “Norwegian wool is high-quality, strong, and warm. Historically, it was also essential to survival, so it quickly became a part of our heritage and culture,” says Lyche. “When you buy a Tingvoll Ull sweater, you’re essentially buying a tiny bit of the area - a piece of Norway. ” www.tingvoll-ull.no Instagram: @tingvoll_ull Facebook: Tingvoll Ull

Randulf the Ram is domineering and self-willed. His main interests are food and “women”. Photo: Åse Tronstad

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Norway

Using ancient methods and tools, Brísingamen creates jewellery identical to, or inspired by, archaeological finds from the Viking Age.

Brit Elin Ildhusøy at the Viking festival in Wolin, Poland. Photo: Damian Kozybski

Brísingamen – treasures from the past Born from curiosity and passion, Brísingamen is a small Norwegian jewellery company inspired by Nordic history and culture. Using ancient methods and tools, Brísingamen creates treasures from the past. By Celina Tran

Photos: Brisingamen

In Norse mythology, ‘Brísingamen’ is the necklace of Freja, welded by Brisingene, four dwarves that forged many of the Norse gods’ most treasured belongings. Named after the ethereal necklace, Brísingamen was started by Norway-based filigree silversmith and goldsmith, Brit Elin Ildhusøy, as an homage not only to her Nordic heritage but also to her passion for jewellery, experimental archaeology and knowledge sharing. “I’ve always been fascinated by the past, the purpose of jewellery, and its long creation process,” says Ildhusøy. “Forging and welding is a magical experience. I get to watch this hard, nearly unbreakable metal turn and bend, shaping itself under my hand. It’s truly mesmerising.” Along with her passion for arts and creation, Ildhusøy has also had a life-long interest in historic techniques and tools. She explains that the path that led to Brísingamen has been educational. 28

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“When I got my journeyman letter in 2015, I realized that this was a great way to combine my passion for archaeology and my skills to create something new,” says Ildhusøy. “I’m very lucky to have found a whole society of like-minded people in the re-enactment scene that have supported and encouraged me to create my jewellery. Had it not been for this community, Brísingamen would not have existed.” Ancient designs for a modern audience The Viking Age makes up a significant part of Norwegian history, with many elements still present in modern society. Through Brísingamen, Ildhusøy is doing her part in preserving the cultural heritage in a modern age. “Using the same tools and techniques, I make both identical and Viking-inspired jewellery. I don’t think anyone else in the country does it this way,” she says. “I take my time and put my entire soul into each

individual piece, making it by hand – it’s literally slow fashion.” Ildhusøy says that few people know about the implications of the jewellery industry on the environment. Many mining companies use hazardous chemicals to leach minerals out from the earth, often leaving a devastating impact on local ecosystems. “I want to leave as small of a footprint as possible, so I keep all aspects of production local. All my metal suppliers are Norwegian, and my silver supplier uses recycled silver,” she says. “It also allows me to ensure good quality jewellery that will last generations to come, because there’s little point in promoting historical art if there aren’t future generations to enjoy it.” www.brisingamen.jewelry Instagram: @_brisingamen_ Facebook: Brísingamen

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Christmas Gifts from Norway

Golightly: A Norwegian fashion fairytale Based in Trondheim, Norway, Golightly was established in 2021 as an homage to the timeless fashionista of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Holly Golightly, and seeks to create and encourage slow fashion through long-lasting, high-quality designs. By Celina Tran

Photos: Golightly

Golightly is an independent fashion brand and homage to Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) main character, Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn. Like its namesake, timeless fashion is an important part of Golightly’s designs and goals. Owner and designer at Golightly, Elin Fjeldseth, explains that in addition to designing and creating timeless fashion, Golightly values passion and quality in everything they do. “When we design something, profit is not what we think of. The important thing to us is that the clothes look and feel just as great and that when the customer tries it, it fits in all the right places,” Fjeldseth says.

from customers who have finally found the perfect-fitting dream dress in a Golightly product, long nights and work days vanish from my mind.”

“Some stand there with tears in their eyes, weeping because they finally feel as beautiful as they really are. Those are magical moments to us,” she smiles.

“Creating clothes that fit different shapes and sizes is an art that takes time to develop, but when we receive messages

Many customers often pop by the brand’s showroom in Trondheim to try the clothes on.

The adventure of a lifetime Fjeldseth explains that her fashion fairytale began early in childhood - the first November 2023

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Norway

day of school. Her grandmother had knitted her a sweater. “It was white with a pattern in a stunning colour I had never seen before. People around me called it pink, and I’d never seen anything more beautiful,” she says, explaining that those born in the 70s or earlier might remember that clothes were mostly in brown, green, navy or earthy tones. When pastels and softer colours finally reached Norway’s shores in the 80s, Fjeldseth became enthralled. “My initial meeting with this pink and white knitted sweater allowed me to see clothes as something beyond useful - as something beautiful. The interest was sparked immediately,” she explains. Fjeldseth has always loved creating, so the sewing machine quickly became one of her best friends. She’s thankful her parents supported and encouraged her creativity, noting that her mother was happy to share her fabrics so Fjeldseth and her siblings could explore a whole new passion. “To create good products, you need knowledge. In addition to knowledge, love for the craft certainly helps, and it was essentially what drove me to start 30

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Golightly’s collection is designed to inspire joy and confidence in the women who wear it.

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Norway

Golightly,” she says. “I always knew I wanted to make clothes for a living. Because it requires that you give 200 per cent of yourself, a burning passion is necessary.” Since its establishment, Golightly’s team has transcended beyond anything they could imagine. Today, Golightly has several employees and around fourty retailers across the country. Their website has put them on the map, and the brand is expanding across the European continent from next autumn on. “We’ve had a lot of inquiries and demand from other European countries, and we feel ready and mature enough to take the next step,” she says. Quality, confidence and care As everyone knows, the fashion industry is an environmental villain, with fast-fashion brands doing the most damage. Golightly wants to be a positive alternative to this, allowing people guilt-free, high-quality and long-lasting products. “I’m very proud of who we’ve become. As people continue to get to know us, we’re becoming more and more established on the market. It’s therefore important to us that we continue going forward with both quality and environment in mind, as both go hand in hand. With over three decades in the fashion industry, Fjeldseth continues to be driven by the confidence Golightly’s clothes inspire in customers. “I’ve been in all parts of the fashion industry, starting as a shop assistant and then manager. I’ve also run my own store and worked within marketing. Now, I design, import, and sell my products, which is only really the last steps of my fashion fairytale.” “I’m also very happy that many people find beauty in what I create, and it’s truly an honour that people want to wear my designs.” www.golightly.no Instagram: @golightlynorge Facebook: Golightly November 2023

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Performance coffee maker, a test winner with a unique pump technology, ensures every brew starts with 100 per cent fresh water.

Wilfa - luxurious home brews made simple Whether you’re a parent, student, someone who works long shifts, or simply a coffee enthusiast, you’ll know that a good cup of coffee can make all the difference in the world. Why start your day with a bland and boring brew when Wilfa offers the perfect, simple solution? By Celina Tran

Photos: Wilfa

Wilfa, a Norwegian company that specialises in kitchen appliances, has long been part of millions of homes all over the Nordic countries. In recent years, its Nordic innovation and designs have also won the hearts of many homes outside of Scandinavia, with its coffee machines taking the top spot. “We want to put the Norwegian flag on the coffee map by showcasing our investment in technology and design, as well as relevance and knowledge,” says David Vilchis, the man in charge of Wilfa’s coffee development. 32

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He explains that despite being a smaller company in the great world of coffee, people who know and care about the beverage gravitate towards Wilfa be-

cause its team knows the local market and understands the wants and needs of the consumers. “We are passionate about what we do, and we also understand all the important elements in making the perfect cup of coffee,” he says. “Sure, good beans and fresh water are, of course, incredibly important components, but there is also temperature, flow, intensity, and so many unnoticed codes we’ve managed to crack. Our machines give the same results every time, which is also incredibly important.” Style and attention to details

David Vilchis shows of Wilfa’s newest development, the Performance Thermo.

In many of the coffee machines on today’s market, there is a disadvantage that affects the taste significantly. If water remains in the machine, every new

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Norway

The Performance Compact is a new launch with the same technology as the original Performance, with a compact platform to fit every countertop.

cup of coffee is made with old water, which is why Wilfa has invented a unique empty pump system.” “You wouldn’t want to buy a cup of coffee if you knew the water in it was old, which is why the pump empties our machines completely each time. The next cup will always have fresh water, improving the taste,” says Vilchis. For enthusiasts and others who wish to elevate their coffee experience, Wilfa also has several grinders. “All our home appliances, but especially our coffee machines, are supposed to make people’s lives easier. Everyone should be able to enjoy a good, homemade cup of coffee without any hassle,” he says. Furthermore, Wilfa’s machines encapsulate the sleek Scandinavian style, making every appliance fit for the modern home. The continuous search for a better experience Wilfa’s adventure began in 1948, but back then, it was a vacuum cleaner factory. A few years down the line, the company dedicated itself to expanding and growing. Through trial and error, it has become one of Scandinavia’s largest appliance providers, with most Norwegian homes owning a classic Wilfa waffle iron. As a company that is in constant pursuit of local knowledge, Wilfa’s employees quickly understood that Scandinavians are heavy coffee drinkers. “Norway has a great coffee culture, in fact,

Norwegian coffee drinkers consume an average of 1860 cups every year!” says Vilchis. “We naturally had to develop coffee machines and grinders, and they’ve grown in popularity outside of the Nordic countries as well.” Despite its existing popularity and award-winning innovations, Wilfa is set on improving, constantly pursuing new and better technology. “We always search for ways to improve our appliances, exploring technology and new materials. It’s important to us that our customers trust us to provide the very best quality, which is why we also offer 5-year guarantees, unlike most other companies in the industry,” Vilchis adds. Alongside the improvements of products, Wilfa continues to search for ways to reduce waste, packaging, and other things that might be harmful to the environment. Vilchis explains that they have switched out polystyrene entirely, use recyclable packaging, and are developing app-alternatives to user manuals to avoid paper waste. “Quality is definitely our top priority, not only because we transfer trust through it, but also because we have a social responsibility as a company. We want our products to last, sparing the planet unnecessary harm that comes with production, packaging, and so on.” www.wilfa.com Instagram: @wilfanorge Facebook: Wilfa Norge

International award-winning coffee grinder with exceptional precision.

7 tips for the perfect coffee 1. Use clean equipment – remember to use proper cleaning agents to clean the filter basket every 14 days 2. Use fresh coffee beans for the richest taste 3. Rinse the coffee filter before brewing to prevent the unfavourable paper taste – we recommend white over brown filters! 4. Use clean, cold water 5. Ensure correct amount and ratio - 60g beans to 1L water is recommended 6. Be sure to control the temperature and brewing time – the optimal temperature for water is 92-96°C throughout the process, it should brew for 4-6 minutes. 7. For the best taste, brew new batches instead of storing the coffee for too long. If you do store it, however, use a thermal bottle.

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ing m wA a ig ft An appreciated gift for everyone Hand-crafted, Scandinavian slippers in genuine sheepskin and wool See the entire collection at shepherdofsweden.com

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Lovely Linen Page 42.

Snö of Sweden Page 40.

We welcome you to experience the Swedish retail experience Sweden is known worldwide for its entrepreneurship. Many have heard about retailers such as H&M and IKEA, prominent chains which can be found all over the world. We are immensely proud of these companies, but Swedish retail has so much more to offer! By CEO of the Swedish Trade Federation

Visitors to Sweden rarely leave empty-handed, as retail is an important pillar of Swedish society, which means that you, no matter your destination, never will have to look far to enjoy the Swedish retail experience. Whether you are looking for traditional Swedish goods or the 36

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latest in fashion or technology, you have come to the right place. Shopping in Sweden also gives you a glimpse into what’s important for us Swedes. In recent years, the interest (and demand) for sustainable goods

CEO of the Swedish Trade Federation, Sofia Larsen. Photo: PMAGI AB

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Lusta Cast Iron. Page 38.

have increased dramatically, and Swedish retailers are up for the task, which is something that you will notice rather quickly while browsing goods during your visit. Also, second-hand is truly in fashion, as we have seen plenty of stores open all around Sweden, and I highly recommend you experience it yourself. The Swedish Trade Federation, representing 9000 retailers, would like to take this opportunity to welcome you as a visitor to Sweden, and we hope that you will enjoy your stay, and of course, the Swedish retail experience! www.svenskhandel.se

Mumbaistockholm. Page 44.

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The Arvet pancake pan is a celebration of Swedish food culture. Photo: David Elg Moob

Lursta Cast Iron Swedish handicraft to last generations Forged in tradition - the team behind Lursta Cast Iron combines knowledge, innovative design and a passion for food to create handmade products full of stories. Made with repurposed local scraps, each piece is designed for longevity and sparks joy at each use.

tom-made frying pan for a restaurant that I realised I wanted to continue down the food route and create something new,” explains Stridqvist.

By Emma Rodin

Simultaneously, John Andersson had discovered an interest in iron as a material and was looking for an opportunity to develop his designs. Eventually, the two founders’ paths crossed, and Lursta was born, based on the duo’s shared values of quality and drive, and of course, passion for food.

The backstory of Lursta is perhaps best described as a happy coincidence, or a being-in-the right-place-at–thethe-right-time sort of thing. Launched in 2021, by Andreas Stridqvist, a third-generation caster, and John Andersson, an architect and industrial designer, the young brand is based at the Lyrestads foundry, which Stridqvist’s granddad started in the 1950s. “I’ve always done iron casting, but it wasn’t until I was asked to create a cus38

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Made by Lursta

Photo: Lursta

With only a few products in its range, Lursta is synonymous with innovative, detailed designs and uncompromising quality that showcases the brand’s Swedish heritage. Often the products

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are inspired by chefs and their needs in the kitchen. But no function comes without form, and at Lursta form is central. Through his designs, Andersson is always striving to update the form language of cast iron and make it relevant for the future. One of Lursta’s products is the Gravitas mortar. The brainchild of Andersson, this was the brand’s very first launch, now patented for its clever way of using iron’s natural weight to crush herbs and spices. Additionally, there’s the Lyrestad frying table. This original design is made with the user in mind and can easily be moved from stove to oven thanks to its strategically placed, detachable handles. “Some see the weight of cast iron as a hindrance, so I use my designs as a means to turn that negative into a positive. Take our mortar, which relies on weight to function. On the contrary, the weight of the Lyrestad frying table is easier to manoeuvre than you might expect, assisted by the clever handle design. So, we’re essentially challenging people’s preconceptions and educating them at the same time,” Andersson explains. The taste of childhood A great depiction of the Lursta brand and values is the Arvet pancake pan. Developed in partnership with the Swedish chef Stefan Ekengren, the pan, which is

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induction-friendly, is a wonderful celebration of national food culture and gives the humble pancake the respect it deserves. “We meant to make something completely different, but when we first met Stefan, we quickly started discussing childhood memories and what foods we associate with those,” tells Stridqvist. “Everyone has a relation to pancakes, whether it’s the smell, the people or the taste, so we decided to make a product purely dedicated to pancakes, good enough to last for generations. It’s a project we hold very close to our hearts”. Partners in food Always pushing the boundaries for what’s possible, the Lursta team also creates products by request from chefs and restaurants, such as the serving smoke bowl for renowned chef Niklas Ekstedt. “Working closely with our customers and partners is essential to the way we function,” says Andersson. “We’re constantly learning and growing from people in the industry and strive to be better every day”. Speaking of partners, Lursta will team up with Gustav Leonhardt as he competes in next year’s edition of Bocuse D’or, the prestigious gastronomic competition which attracts the world’s top chefs. The idea is for the Lursta team to work close-

Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Sweden

ly with Leonhardt to create custom-made products for his team. Closing the loop As mentioned, the team behind Lursta takes local scrap to make their products, simply melting it down and reshaping it. Well, simple may be an overstatement as the process of iron casting is rigorous and require both patience, dedication and expertise. “We have a local-first approach to everything we do and work with nearby scrapyards to source material, plus we reuse leftovers from our own production. That’s the beauty of iron, that you can remake it again and again,” says Stridqvist. To ensure the highest quality at Lursta, the Novacast computer system is used to analyse melted iron (like tasting food during cooking). The contents are checked against predetermined values and the software then shows what needs to be added for the perfect mix. With lots in the pipeline for Lursta, keep your eyes peeled for more. Oh, and do pick up a curious mortar for Christmas, or maybe a pancake pan for someone you love? It’d be the gift that keeps on giving, year after year (and pancake after pancake). www.lursta.se Instagram: @lurstacastiron Photo: David Elg Moob

Photo: Lursta

Photo: David Elg Moob

November 2023

Issue 160

Snö of Sweden - classic jewellery with a twist A familiar face on the Swedish jewellery scene, Snö of Sweden has helped shape the industry for more than 20 years. Worn by everyone from grandmothers to teens, Snö jewellery is made with style and longevity in mind, celebrating both everyday moments and once-in-a-lifetime occasions. By Emma Rodin

Photos: Snö of Sweden

Whether you’re looking to elevate an outfit or encapsulate your personality, there’s a Snö piece of jewellery to take on the job. 40

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The brand, which was one of the first in Sweden to establish fashion jewellery as a core offering, makes necklaces, rings,

bracelets and earrings, designed for those curious souls searching for a match. “Much like clothing brands, we’re led by the seasons and create four main collections each year with around 200 unique pieces per launch,” says marketing manager Emma Hilvander. “Each of these collections is built around a theme, or a thought, which we approach from various

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Sweden

directions, from materials and colours to size and compatibility”. Tales to Tell Speaking of themes, the winter collection from Snö has just launched; it is greatly inspired by fairy tales and the mystery that often surrounds them. Accompanied by the expression ‘From a spinning world to a place where everything is possible’, the collection, aptly named Tales to Tell, is designed to encourage peace and a sense of calm. ”Sometimes in life, you just need a break. That’s why this new collection is inspired by the escape to fairy tales, to a place where everything is possible and your imagination can roam free,” explains Hilvander. “In a way, I guess the collection is also a source of energy, helping you manage whatever life throws at you”. Never stop growing Across all products and collections, there’s a built-in versatility. Indeed, Snö jewellery tends to be designed with two looks in one, meaning that a part of the jewellery can often be removed if and when the user wants to. For instance, there are earrings with stones that can be unhooked, creating a semi-new look with close to zero effort. This clever feature is ideal for those living busy lives, going straight from the office to their evening dos. Speaking of change and versatility, as a brand, Snö is both highly adaptable and open to change. As a long-term player in the jewellery market, it would be easy to get stuck in old ways and get comfortable. Snö, however, is quite the opposite. “I like to tell people who haven’t shopped with us for a while to look at our website. Many are surprised to see how

Emma Hilvander.

much we’ve changed over the years, though they still recognise the core elements we’ve kept since the start,” says Hilvander. “We’re flexible and responsive, always listening to what the customer wants while keeping in tune with current and upcoming trends. Instead of creating demand, we simply meet it”. If Snö jewellery was previously known as big and bold, it is today, more pared back and clean (though always with a twist), leaning more towards fine jewellery in its expression. This makes Snö a go-to brand for those sourcing gifts for special events, such as birthdays, graduations and anniversaries. “Although we relate to customers of all ages, I would describe our typical customer as a woman who’s looking to add something extra to her style. She will either base her outfit on her Snö earrings, necklace or bracelet, or she will simply complement her outfit with it,” says Hilvander. Innovation and quality With the brand launched in Östersund, its creative studio based in Stockholm

and its production in Beijing, the team behind Snö takes pride in maintaining a closeness within both team and production. “We have our own factory in China with Swedish management on site, so even though we’re somewhat spread out, everything we do is defined by Swedish culture and quality,” explains Hilvander. “We work hard to quality-control our entire production chain, which includes reviewing our sustainability efforts in terms of materials and volume of production, but also the working conditions for all employees”. The brand philosophy is that Snö should always be a friendly workplace with high ceilings, where creativity is encouraged, curiosity is welcome and joy is sparked. A belief which, of course, also translates to the jewellery itself. So, why not give someone a little box of joy this Christmas? Even if that ‘someone’ is, in fact, you. www.snoofsweden.com Instagram: @snoofsweden

November 2023

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Sweden

Soft, sturdy, sustainable – all the benefits of linen Lovely Linen provides beautiful products made with 100 per cent linen sourced in Europe and designed in Sweden, with collections consisting of quality products made for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. With a lineage stemming back thousands of years, the unique properties of linen, provide a luxurious and soft touch that will last. By Nina Bressler

Photos: Lovely Linen

The company that was to become Lovely Linen was founded by the Bergström family in 1992 and is, today, co-managed by the Bergström and Svedulf families. The establishment of the company happened after Mats Bergström journeyed to Lithuania to acquire a sawmill factory; instead, he returned with a textile busi-

ness. ”The Baltic states are famous for their textile production, and it was upon the advice from my grandmother that my father decided to invest in a textile factory. I took over in 2013, changed the name to Lovely Linen and we’ve since developed our online shop and expanded exponentially into exciting new markets,” says Erik Bergström, CEO and owner. Linen is a fabric with deep roots in history, having been used and valued for its unique and robust features in ancient Egypt. It is derived from the flax plant, a plant that needs less nutrition and water than, for instance, cotton, and no pesticides. This makes it an environmentally superior product compared to many other materials on the market. The quality of the finished product also adds to its environmental credentials - all items are made to last for a long

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Used by the ancient Egyptians, linen has a long history and is one of the more sustainable natural fabrics available on the market.

time, while functional and easily maintained. The people behind Lovely Linen are also strongly dedicated to improving the company’s processes to lessen other environmental impacts - plastic is replaced for paper, solar cells and batteries are used in their factories, and suppliers are carefully selected based on their sustainability approach. Lovely Linen’s products are a lovely combination of textiles made for the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and everyday life: napkins, cloths, kitchen towels, sheets, bedspreads, towels, mats, kimonos, blankets and more are included in their collection. ”Linen is often considered to be the brick of the textile world: it’s a material that lasts for a long time and it is a stable component in everyday life. Its longevity is a great part of its appeal, but it’s also incredibly soft, absorbent and a beautiful design detail. The interest for this fabric is increasing and we’re gearing up for expansion, sustainably and comfortably,” Bergström concludes. www.lovelylinen.com Instagram: @lovely.linen

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If you want to, you should put a ring on it Once upon a time, a precious ring on a woman’s finger was instinctually perceived as a symbol of her being loved by a man. But, today, it can be so much more than that - actually, it can be quite the opposite. It can be a sign that a woman feels independent and confident enough to buy herself her dream ring, and that is exactly what Swedish fine jewellery studio Mumbaistockholm wants. By Signe Hansen and Nina Bressler

Photos: Mumbaistockholm

If you want fine jewellery, do you need to wait for a man to gift it to you? This question, or rather the answer – no you absolutely don’t – is what has motivated jewellery designer Cecilia Kores since she founded Mumbaistockholm. Nine years and a successful jewellery studio later, Kores is still on a mission to make women comfortable investing in fine jewellery for themselves. “Two months after I started Mumbaistockholm, I broke up with my boyfriend. It was around that time that I also realised that most jewellery is simply love gifts from a man to a woman. But do 44

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Founder Cecilia Kores.

you need a man to wear fine jewellery? At that time, I myself didn’t even want a man in my life! I was tired of relationships. But I wanted to wear fine jewellery. So it has almost become political,” she explains. “I wanted to create fun, delicate, sensual jewellery that women wanted and could buy for themselves! It’s about confidence and independence.” Inspired by an eight-month-long visit to India when Kores was 24 years old (she is now 34), the jewellery from Mumbaistockholm fuses Scandinavian minimalism with the intricate and colourful details characteristic of the jewellery you find in India, Sri Lanka and even countries near the Mediterranean Sea. Today, the studio’s collection includes every piece of jewellery you can possibly dream of, but it is still best known for its signature “everyday” diamond rings. Noteworthily, the rings are not always

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Sweden

How to take care of your fine jewellery - Clean your jewellery at home once a week. - Hand in your jewellery for professional cleaning once a year. - Hand in your jewellery for a full service every second year. Cleaning at home: You can clean your jewellery simply by using hot water, dishwashing soap and a soft toothbrush. Make sure to brush in the prongs of the stone setting as dirt often gathers here. Rinse with water, dry with a kitchen towel and finish by polishing with a polishing cloth.

made with diamonds but all kinds of gemstones. “A fun thing that we have realised is that when women buy jewellery for themselves, they often choose colour: coloured gemstones and brown or black diamonds,” says Kores, and adds pointedly: ”When men buy jewellery for women, they almost always choose white diamonds!” No guilt, no stress While we are, hopefully, long past the societal notion that a piece of jewellery needs to be gifted from a man to a woman, or from one partner to another, recently, a new hindrance has popped up causing some people to feel guilty when buying fine jewellery. It is the much more meaningful question of the social and environmental sustainability of their new treasure. Making all parts of its jewellery in Sweden and using only recycled gold and natural gemstones that have undergone as little treatment as possible, Mumbaistockholm is also dedicated to eliminating this concern. Moreover, all pieces are made to last for generations, and thus come with a lifetime warranty and include a yearly jewellery cleaning and a biannual general service. “If you want to, fine jewellery should be a natural part of your everyday life, and that is why we do not only want to make fine jewellery available to everyone but also want to make women comfortable

buying fine jewellery,” says Kores. “And, one of the ways to do that is through education. We want to educate people about what fine jewellery is and what makes it different from ordinary non-precious jewellery (so-called custom jewellery).” As part of her quest to do so, Kores has also created Smyckespodden (Eng: The Jewelry Podcast), where she and invited guests educate the listeners about anything related to the intricate science of fine jewellery. Indeed, the vision of Kores is diamond clear - she wants women to know that they don’t have to wait for someone to make them feel special. Mumbaistockholm ships its jewellery worldwide. www.mumbaistockholm.com Instagram: @mumbaistockholm Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/ smyckespodden https://shows.acast.com/the-jewelrypodcast

Why fine jewellery - Made of precious metals and gemstones, fine jewellery has a very long lifespan, and most of the pieces are made to be worn every day. Often you can both sleep in and swim with them. - Fine jewellery can be passed down through generations. - Fine jewellery can be repaired and amended again and again. You can change the size of the ring, replace gemstones and add a diamond to an old wedding band. - If a piece of fine jewellery breaks it can be fixed in a jewellery studio. - Fine jewellery carries most of its value in its materials and is thus considered a good investment. - You don’t need to worry about wearing your fine jewellery. The gemstones are selected for their durability, the gold can be repolished again and again. If you take care of your jewellery, they will be just as gorgeous in ten or fifty years’ time.

November 2023

Issue 160

Well-designed children’s wear and accessories that are made to last.

Elodie – Premium essentials for life with children With beautiful designs, road-tested quality and functionality at heart, Elodie has pioneered kids wear and accessories for over 15 years. Known to cater as much for parents as their little ones, Elodie’s versatile products have become the go-tos for families who won’t compromise style for need all around the world. By Emma Rodin

Photos: Elodie Details

What started as a neat hobby during founder Linda Sätterström’s maternity leave quickly turned into something much bigger. And it was all thanks to a clever little dummy clip. “After I had my first daughter, Elodie, I realised the overall lack of well-designed products for life with kids. And I’m not just talking about clothes, but all the other things you need to make those early years a bit easier to manage,” explains Sätterström. 46

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Linda Satterstrom.

An experienced seamstress and product developer within the fashion industry, Sätterström took things into her own hands to develop a simple, high-quality dummy clip. As it caught the eye of other parents around her, she then started selling it, and the rest is history. Today, Elodie is a well-established international brand offering over 30 sorts of baby and toddler must-haves, from pramsuits and footmuffs to bibs and hats. And of course, strollers. Eco travelling with Mondo Elodie’s Mondo travel stroller is a widely popular stroller designed to take the faff out of travelling with kids, with its light weight and smart features. It’s been voted ‘best in test’ by numerous test provid-

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ers, and its fabrics are made with 100 per cent recycled PET plastic bottles which sets it apart from competitors.

Once you’ve reached your destination, you simply fold your Mondo back out again, and you’re ready to stroll, made even easier with one-handed steering and silent wheels. Additionally, Mondo is designed with a “paparazzi canopy” which has UPF 50+ for a peaceful and safe resting environment for your child. What’s not to love? Responsible production The team behind Elodie strives to make the brand 100 per cent responsible by

Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Sweden

The second principle is to use plantbased materials. A principle Elodie meets by continuously introducing the use of natural plant-based fibres in products, such as bamboo and corn.

“We developed Mondo about three years ago, and the response since launch has been incredible,” says Sätterström. “I think people love it partly because it just doesn’t feel like a traditional travel stroller”. Mondo is light and sturdy, yet easy to collapse into a handy size which is ideal for flying (when folded up, it fits most airlines’ overhead compartments). It also comes with a backpack which sits neatly underneath the stroller seat where you’d normally find a basket. So, when it’s time to board the plane, you just take out the bag and wear it on your back. Alternatively, you can attach it to your cabin bag, thanks to the handy strap at the back of the backpack.

The third principle is to upcycle existing products, something the team at Elodie works towards by sharing great tips on their website. Because the longer you use a product, the lower its environmental impact gets.

2026, which means that every product in the assortment will be produced according to one or several of Elodie’s four production principles. “Instead of identifying as a sustainable brand, we want to show how we aim at becoming the most responsible version of ourselves, making better choices to minimise our environmental impact. We can’t do everything at once, but we can promise to always strive to be better,” explains Sätterström. The first principle is to use recycled materials, meaning Elodie aims to use 80 per cent recycled polyester by 2026, and, after that, phase out non-recycled polyester entirely.

“I’m a strong believer that the best thing you can do for the environment as a business, is to make your products as durable as possible. That’s why ‘made to last’ is our fourth production principle, which means we’re always developing our products to be better and stronger, ensuring they’ll last for not one, but three kids,” tells Sätterström. Share the joy If you are looking to send someone a Birthday gift or a Christmas present, you can try Elodie’s special gift service. Simply ask to have a product giftwrapped as you check out, and the Elodie team will send your gift wrapped in a beautiful green gift box along with a card signed by you. It’s a lovely way to make someone’s day just that little bit brighter. www.elodiedetails.com Instagram: @elodiedetails

November 2023

Issue 160

Happy Ears earplugs a silent confidant in a loud world With more than a billion single-use earplugs thrown away each year, it’s only fair to say the planet is in dire need of change. Good thing then, Happy Ears exists to show the world how a product, broadly known as an ugly, throw-away bit of plastic, can be successfully re-designed, re-used and re-appreciated for its health benefits. By Emma Rodin

Photos: Happy Ears

The team behind Happy Ears is on a mission, a mission to change the preconception of earplugs being synonymous with foam, a terrible fit and loud, shrieky col48

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ours. Why? Well, the idea was sparked after founder Karl Berglund suffered temporary hearing loss as the result of a surfing accident.

“After his injury, Karl was forced to wear these really bright-looking earplugs for a full year to protect his hearing, and let’s just say he grew tired of it,” explains CEO Michael Smith. “He was stood in the pharmacy and just couldn’t work out why the selection was so one-sided, and that spurred him on to create an alternative, which allowed him to hear while still being protected from excessive noise”.

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Launched in 2021, the Ocean Plastics earplug is Happy Ears’ newest eco-friendly product made of postconsumer ocean plastics.

The Happy Ears fit Happy Ears is all about functional design for one very simple reason: ears are complex. There’s no ‘one size fits all’, however, that’s been the idea for earplugs in general, which explains why expandable foam options have been widely accepted. The Happy Ears earplug, on the other hand, is not made of foam, doesn’t expand in the ear and doesn’t fall out after some time wearing it. So, how does it work? Simple, quiet and dependable, the earplug has a unique, oval shape and a short, soft stem. A design which was made to replicate the inner ear canal to ensure comfort and effectiveness for the user. It is also made in Sweden with an FDA-approved medical-grade plastic to ensure the highest quality possible. “We offer our earplugs in small, medium and large sizes, and to help new customers figure out their best fit, they can order discovery packs with samples of each size to try at home,” says Smith. “The product is designed with longevity in mind, so it’s important that we help customers find their best option”. It’s also worth noting that all Happy Ears products are suitable for all purposes. In other words, you won’t have to purchase different types of earplugs for say, concerts and swimming. Once you’ve found the perfect fit for you, that’s it.

Moreover, if you use a pair of Happy Ears daily, you can expect them to last about a year. But when used only occasionally for sporting activities or cutting the lawn, one pair will last a lot longer than that. Eco-friendly leaders The Happy Ears earplugs are available in three different styles, with the Original being one. Discrete and unassuming, this was, as the name suggests, the first earplug launched by the brand and was designed to maximise comfort and effectiveness without any wasteful replacement parts, such as foam tips. Then, in 2020, Happy Ears launched its Recycled line, the brand’s very first sustainable earplug made of 100 per cent recycled plastics which have been upcycled from the brand’s own production waste, helping to further reduce its environmental footprint. “It wasn’t easy though,” says Smith. “Re-heating and changing the properties of plastic is no easy feat, and it took us a few years to get it right before we felt comfortable to set the product free”. Another industry first, there’s also the Ocean Plastics variant. Launched in 2021, this is Happy Ears’ newest eco-friendly earplug which is made of post-consumer ocean plastics sourced from the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans.

“Then, of course, there’s our packaging. We figured we can’t pride ourselves on selling eco-friendly earplugs and then deliver them in packaging that’s not. So today, our packaging isn’t just recyclable, but also compostable and biodegradable. It’s a real gamechanger,” explains Smith. Earplugs in daily life Historically, earplugs have carried somewhat negative connotations due to their style and purpose, something that has affected ear health overall. “Today, it’s fully acceptable to wear earplugs at concerts, especially here in Scandinavia. But you must remember that’s not always been the case,” says Smith. “Luckily, the attitude has changed and earplugs are now used for more than just concerts and sleeping. In fact, we’re getting a lot of orders from schools where the volume is generally quite high. I suffer from tinnitus myself, so introducing earplugs to more everyday situations makes perfect sense”. As the world is getting louder, it’s clear that we need to protect ourselves and let our precious ears rest. And speaking of care, you could help protect the ears of someone you love, too. In fact, it would be the perfect Christmas gift. www.happyearsearplugs.com Instagram: @happyearsearplugs November 2023

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Sweden

Ewa Roslin with her handmade jewellery.

Nordic Jewelry Design - quality, style and elegance A family-run business with roots in Kiruna in the far north of Sweden, Nordic Jewelry Design is the fruit of a great handicraft tradition spanning centuries. As its name suggests, jewellery is at the heart of the brand’s offerings, with each piece made entirely by hand and always by demand. By Emma Rodin

Photos: Nordic Jewelry Design

Inspired by her late grandmother’s creative flair, Nordic Jewelry Design’s founder Ewa Roslin started crafting her own pieces long before establishing her business in 2010. And although Roslin has since relocated to Gotland, an island

in Sweden’s south, her jewellery designs are still very much inspired by Kiruna – which is the territory of the indigenous Sami people, and where Roslin’s style of craft originates from. Roslin makes each piece herself, mainly bracelets, and the materials used are carefully chosen and include naturally tanned reindeer leather, 925 sterling silver and pewter. Even the pewter button at the back of the bracelets is hand-cast and stands as a trademark for Nordic Jewelry Design. “All of my designs have that Nordic detail about them. Even when I make something especially elegant, I never compromise on implementing that sense of origin in my work,” says Roslin.

Materials.

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Made from scratch, the materials used for the products are all sourced from Lapland, such as the bracelets’ signature

thread – made with a strong, tin core and with a thinner, silver-infused thread spun around it. Made by experts in the area, the thread has a higher level of silver compared to other options which makes it extra durable. And because the jewellery is made by hand with the best materials and only by demand, the quality is fantastic and they last for years and years. “If a piece does break further down the line, customers can send it back to me to be repaired. It doesn’t matter if that’s five or twenty years after purchase, it’s just part of my service and I love helping my customers,” tells Roslin. The classic look of Roslin’s jewellery makes them timeless and elegant and means that they can be worn every day as well as on special occasions. They’re suitable for newborns and 90-yearolds alike and are perfect as gifts for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and everything in between – including Christmas. www.nordicjewelrydesign.com Instagram: @nordicjewelrydesign

The ultimate stand mixer for your home. Made in Sweden since 1940. ankarsrum.com

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Dopamine attack! Are you looking for interior details that can bring a breath of fresh air and add a little colour to your home? Look no further: Forslundska Form is the antidote to dull interiors, with an exciting range of home accessories that will add some sparkle to even the darkest of winter days.

Forslundska Form consists of home products that have been created to elevate the happiness in your home: textiles, pillowcases, trays, tote bags, rugs, decoration details and more are available in colourful, playful patterns, inspired by the 70s. The main objective behind the design is simple: to spread as much joy as possible through quality products made

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responsibly. ”Scandinavian design is famously monochrome and cool, which is great, but it doesn’t necessarily make me happy. When I started this company in 2019, I set out with a mission: I wanted to add that colour splash that will add personality to a room - a unique piece that makes your home stand out,” says Sophia Forslund, founder.

By Nina Bressler

Photos: Forslundska Form

Her bestsellers include the Merry Gentlefemme brass Christmas ornaments created as an ode to all the women who do the real job of bringing together a memorable and peaceful holiday for everyone. ”It isn’t Santa bringing the real Christmas feeling, it’s the generations of women that work hard every year to make it special, and it’s time that they get a place of honour around the Christmas tree too,” says Forslund. Indeed, skip online - and the perfect recipe for winter, a little cheerier, is in your hands. www.forslundska.com Instagram: @forslundskaform

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Sweden

Your cat’s next favourite hideaway Tail Living is a new player on the market for cat accessories with a unique offer to the feline fur balls and their human friends - comfortable cat caves, cat beds and toys that are not only the perfect nest but also look great in your home. Despite its young age, the company has already been acknowledged and awarded for its products. By Nina Bressler

Photos: Tail Living

The first requirement when starting your own brand for cat accessories? Knowledge about product development along with, of course, an ardent interest in and love for cats. Charlotte Tholsby, the founder of Tail Living, has all of the above. ”I’ve always been a cat person, an interest that made me start breeding the majestic Maine coon cats, and that’s how it all started. When I’ve been looking for accessories, anything from cat beds to food bowls and scratching boards, I’ve always found the existing range limited and lacking stylish options, often produced with synthetic materials or other alternatives that are poor from an environmental perspective. The idea of creating my own business had been brewing at the back of my mind

for years so when the opportunity arose, I decided to take the leap,” says Tholsby. Tail Living was founded in the beginning of 2023, making it a fresh addition to the market and an exciting expansion of what’s on offer for cats and their owners. Its range consists of soft and expertly fashioned cat beds, cat caves and toys that have proven to become an instant favourite for the famously picky felines, with more products waiting in the pipeline.

– from the choice of wool to the finished product and its expected longevity - is made with sustainability in mind. ”The products are unique in terms of how they combine the cat’s comfort with a Scandinavian design that will fit into any home. Our vision is to provide cat furnishings that are not only functional but also beautiful - that both cats and humans will love,” Tholsby concludes. www.tailliving.com Instagram: @tail_living The perfect hideaway that cats love.

All products are handmade with organic wool and a high degree of social responsibility. They’re produced by a manufacturer in Nepal that has been handpicked for its dedication to safe working conditions, community development and sustainable livelihoods. Every step of the production November 2023

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Meaningful Christmas Gifts from Sweden

Soft, cute and durable – Happily’s flower pots are sure to help grow your child’s interest in plants.

Let your plants grow with your children Filling your home with flowers and plants provides many health benefits - they help with oxygen levels, create better harmony, and can reduce stress. Still, many forget to bring plants, and their wonderful benefits, into their children’s rooms, and this realisation was the soil of Happily, an interior brand with green fingers. By Hanna Andersson

Photos: Happily

Happily, founded by sisters Rebecca and Paula, creates silicon pots that are soft, sweet, and fun for children. Accompanied by cute and easy-to-use watering cans, they are the perfect way to bring life into kid’s rooms in a way that they can enjoy to the fullest. “The idea came as we started decorating our children’s rooms. We wanted to

bring life, plants and flowers, into their space and wanted the pots to be intriguing and playful,” says Rebecca Fribrock, co-founder of Happily. “And beyond that, we wanted to allow children to have an interest in their plants and in how to help them grow big and strong. We wanted them to learn about forests, our environment, how they need light and water to live, and how they can help us too,” she says. Best Buddies

Owners Rebecca and Paula.

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Happily’s first collection is called Best Buddies, and that is exactly what they want these charismatic and cute pots to be for children. “Our pots represent friendship, and we want them to encourage children to take care of one another, whether it’s a lovely green plant, or a friend in need,” explains Rebecca. The pots and watering cans are made of recyclable silicon, a natural material that

feels soft and won’t break if dropped on the floor. Rebecca says, “They can withhold heat, cold, and water and are therefore perfect to use both inside and outside. You can use them on your balcony, let them decorate the garden, and you never have to worry about them breaking or looking worn down.” Creating strong bonds The founders of Happily also believe that allowing children to help out and get involved in the maintenance and care of their plants will increase their confidence, awareness, and willingness to take responsibility. “We designed them for children. We want them to be the little seed that grows into interest and knowledge,” says Rebecca. She finishes by saying: “Taking care of your plants is a great way to build a strong relationship between both adults and children, but also between children and the world.” www.happily.nu Instagram: @Happily.nu

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Art Profile of the Month, Iceland

Installation shots from the exhibition Resistance, Interplay of Art and Science. Photo: Sigurður Gunnarsson © the National Gallery of Iceland

Free and poetic – an exploration of Icelandic art With a short classic art history to refer to – or be confined by – the modern and contemporary artists of Iceland have created on their own terms. Their free approach, often inspired by nature and immediate surroundings or context, can be explored in the three equally distinct venues of the National Gallery of Iceland in Reykjavik. By Signe Hansen

A humble artist abode, an old icehouse restored with modern exhibition units, and a library building that was known as the largest and finest building in Iceland in the early 20th century – just as the artworks they house, the three exhibition venues of the National Gallery of Iceland represent a diverse and free approach to the world of visual art. Asked what defines the Icelandic artists presented in the gallery’s large collection and many special exhibitions, director of marketing and development, Dorothée Kirch, says: “It’s difficult to say because Icelandic artists don’t want to be pinned down, but nature appears to play a crucial role and people also often talk about a characteristically poetic ap56

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proach. Moreover, we have a rather short classic art history in terms of visual arts and that is reflected in what is done now – it is very free, very experimental, and it can be very abstract.”

Indeed, while artists of other cultures might be influenced by their culture’s art history through periods such as the Renaissance, in Iceland, the first formally trained artists appeared only at the turn of the last century, when they left, mostly to Copenhagen, around 1900 to study art or sculpturing. It was only then that the visual arts started developing as an offspring of the island nation’s strong craft traditions. Icelandic art from the 19th and 20th century By purchasing one combined ticket, visitors can visit all three of the National Gallery’s locations, the main gallery, the House of Collections, and Home of an Artist. The latter is, as the name indicates, the former home of Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876– 1958), one of the pioneers in the history of Icelandic art and the first Icelandic painter to make a career in art. In his humble abode, visitors can explore an exhibition

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Art Profile of the Month

Iceland

of his artworks but also experience his home like it was when he was still alive. “It’s a tiny house, he didn’t have a wife or any children, so the house is just his own living quarters downstairs and his workspace on the upper floor,” explains Kirch. “But everything, from the colour on the floor and so on is like it was when he was still alive; you get the feeling that he just went out and could pop back in any time.” Meanwhile, the exhibition at the House of Collections, the city’s old national library, reflects the gallery’s increased effort to strengthen its offers to children and families. As the gallery’s only permanent exhibition, Resistance – Interplay of Art and Science presents an “interdisciplinary exhibition for children of all ages, that bridges the gap between visual arts and science”. “It’s about the connection between humans and nature, how nature influences us and how we influence nature and is created to be accessible for families and children,” explains Kirch. The exhibition opened last year and will run for three more years. Friends of the universe For those who want to explore the collection of the National Gallery of Iceland in-depth, of course, a visit to its main venue, the old icehouse in Fríkirkjuvegur 7, is also a must. In the many exhibition halls of the three-storey building, visitors can experience a number of

Installation shots from the exhibition Some Recent Works - New Acquisitions Photo: Sigurður Gunnarsson © the National Gallery of Iceland

temporary exhibitions based on the gallery’s own collection as well as solo and group exhibitions by Icelandic and international artists. Currently, the gallery is hosting Egill Sæbjörnsson and Infinite Friends of the Universe, an exhibition by the characteristically playful Icelandic artist Egill Sæbjörnsson. As the title of the show reveals, Sæbjörnsson has invited a number of his “very real imaginary” travel companions to take part in the exhibition. “Egill lives in Berlin and has built up a very exciting and interesting career. He works in installations, video work, and music, and, through his

years, he has created a number of characters that appear in his work like living entities, the infinite friends of the universe,” Kirch explains. Parallel to Sæbjörnsson’s show, the gallery is presenting, Some Recent Works new acquisitions, an exhibition presenting a broad range of works by 12 male and female artists from Iceland, all of them address, in one way or another, the relationship between humans and nature. www.listasafn.is Instagram: @listasafnislands

Egill Sæbjörnsson, The Egg or The Hen, Us or Them, 2011 Installation view STUK 2018. Photo: Kristof Vrancken © Egill Sæbjörnsson

The national Gallery of Iceland includes the former home of Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876–1958) where visitors can also view his works. Photo: Sigurður Gunnarsson © the National Gallery of Iceland

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Set in a beautifully renovated 18th-century house, Allinge Badehotel oozes historic charm and romance.

Hotel of the Month, Denmark

A getaway to look forward to Set in a beautifully renovated 18th-century house on the coast of Bornholm, Allinge Badehotel has so much natural charm that guests would probably come even if it had nothing else to offer. It does, however, have a lot more to offer. Indeed, as proven by numerous top placements on rating sites, the small boutique hotel’s warm and unpretentious hospitality has added that extra something that makes for the perfect getaway. By Signe Hansen

Photos: Allinge Badehotel

Next year, Allinge Badehotel will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the building that houses it, an impossibly charming timber-framed building tucked away on the coast of Northern Bornholm. But though it has kept its charm and history, the interior of Allinge Badehotel has all the comforts of the perfect getaway, without being over the top. “Down-toearth luxury” the owners call it. “When we took over the hotel, we ripped out all the old interiors of the rooms and the dining hall and renovated and refur58

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and everything is the best quality, from the Auping beds to the local and organic produce used in our breakfast,” explains Cathrine Andersen who bought and renovated the hotel together with business partner Christian Rasmussen in 2020.

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bished it all. We wanted to create a peaceful and stylish experience. It is not over the top, but you still get the feeling of luxury because you are so close to the water

Apart from its proximity to the water, the hotel is also located just a few minutes’ walk from Allinge, an old market town built around the harbour. Guests can thus easily stroll into town for lunch or dinner at one of the town’s many restaurants, including the local smokehouse. Lovely, charming and relaxing “Lovely, charming and relaxing” are some of the words often used to describe Allinge Badehotel by its guests. But on top of being lovely and relaxing, the place also has a historical significance in the local community. Among locals, the house is com-

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Hotel of the Month

Denmark

monly referred to as “Byskrivergården” (the home of the scrivener). “It is called so because the town clerk moved into the building in 1831,” explains Cathrine Andersen. “Throughout its history, it has had many different functions - it has also been a sort of inn, and there is even a bit of a royal twist in its story as King Frederik VII and his wife Countess Danner stayed here at one time.” Today, guests can stay in one of the hotel’s 24 small, cosy rooms, some with unparalleled sea views, others with views of the charming courtyard and the town of Allinge. Inspired by the hotel’s royal association, the hotel has also recently added a suite, aptly named the Countess Danner Suite. But despite the charm and history of the hotel, the absolute greatest attraction is, says Andersen, its location. “We have sofas and sun loungers located outside for guests to sit and relax while enjoying the sea view. Having a nap right there on a sunny summer day – it doesn’t get better,” she says. Four of the hotel’s rooms have direct sea views, and as the hotel literally sits a stone’s throw away from the water, that, indeed, does not get any better when it comes to location in Denmark. Always improving Having started up several high-growth tech companies in Silicon Valley, Rasmus-

sen and Andersen are no ordinary hotel owners. However, in 2020 the two tech entrepreneurs decided it was time to invest in something new, to create the hotel of their dreams. “When working in tech companies, one of the things we enjoyed was the customer contact, making people happy every day,” explains Andersen. “So, when Christian, who has lived on Bornholm, saw that the hotel was for sale he quickly convinced me. The hotel is very much a passion project – while we want it to be profitable, we are not in it to make millions, and we hope that our guests feel that it is not a moneymaking machine, but about making people happy.” Perhaps surprisingly, the couple has been able to successfully transfer their experience with customer feedback and product improvement directly from the tech world to the hotel. This means that every time a guest mentions something

The Countess Danner Suite suite features a stylish living room with stunning views of the sea as well as the small town of Allinge and the garden.

that is not ideal, the issue is improved. The result has been that, last year, Allinge Badehotel almost exclusively received five-star reviews and was nominated as the Best Hotel on Bornholm on booking.com. But while the two owners’ approach has created the perfect setting for a getaway, the real credit goes to the daily manager Mie Lavine, stresses Andersen. “Mie runs the hotel as if it was her own, and she takes great care of all details – she is the kind of person who gets joy from making people happy.” Allinge Badehotel is open from April to October, so now is the time to book the perfect getaway to look forward to through winter. www.allingebadehotel.dk Instagram: @allingebadehotel

Stunning proximity to the sea and comfortable Auping beds.

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Experience of the Month, Finland

Where Finnish art, design and architecture meet The history of the Kauttua Ironworks can be traced back over 330 years, which makes it one of Finland’s oldest industrial sites. Today, the area is home to hotels, saunas and houses designed by the renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, making it a must-visit destination for fans of Finnish architecture, design and art from around the world. By Ndéla Faye

Photos: Tomi Glad/Glad Media Oy

Located in the Eura region of western Finland, the Kauttua Ironworks area is best known for its architecture; from the red ochre of the ironworks to the modernism of Alvar Aalto, who worked in Kauttua between 1937 and 1946. The iconic Ironworks was built around an iron industry dating back more than 330 years and, in the 20th century, the area also became known for its paper industry. 60

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Today, the Ironworks is home to a vibrant community of around 200 permanent residents and a number of small local businesses. The Ironworks has its own unique atmosphere of a tiny village steeped in history. In addition to the ironworks area itself, visitors can explore the local architecture, art exhibitions, cafés and restaurants, as well as the region’s beautiful nature throughout the year. The new Visitor

Centre is a meeting place for all residents and tourists in Kauttua, and its exhibition presents the history of Kauttua from the birth of the village to the present day. In the summer, the area is a bustling place, with a number of cultural events, including concerts as well as art exhibitions organised in conjunction with Rauma Art Museum. This is a place where visitors get to experience some of Finland’s most iconic architecture, art exhibitions and design first-hand. Tracing the footsteps of Alvar Aalto Kauttua is the place where Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto was given free hands to master his craft. His first

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Experience of the Month

Finland

job was designing the town plan, which covered the historic industrial area as well as the surrounding area and housing. Kauttua was set to become a stage where Aalto could exhibit a new era in architecture. The Eura region is part of the Alvar Aalto Cities Network, which includes some 40 Alvar Aalto Cities from around the world, defined as being significant Alvar Aalto architectural sites. Aalto designed the streets and buildings to match the forms of the surrounding nature. The most prominent of the Alvar Aalto sites is the Terraced House building, built in 1938, which tourists can still visit. “The Terraced House at the Kauttua Ironworks is a perfect example of the architect’s desire to integrate buildings into the natural environment: the multi-storey residential building adapts to the slope it’s situated on, so the entrance of each apartment is at ground level,” says Sirpa Wahlqvist, cultural manager at the municipality of Eura. There are plenty of places to choose from when it comes to accommodation, which is available throughout the year. In addition to hotels, a manor house and an apartment hotel, accommodation is also available in Villa Aalto, which is the former residence of female office employees, or in the other cosy rooms of the beautiful Ironworks area. “What makes Kauttua unique is that here, you can live and breathe Alvar Aalto’s architecture, as well as the area’s rich broader history,” Wahlqvist says.

The Visitor Centre presents the history of Kauttua from the birth of the village to the present day.

Wintery ironworks. Photo: Harri Nurminen

A haven of cultural experiences Any visit to Finland wouldn’t be complete without going to a sauna, and Kauttua has visitors covered on that front too: the Aalto Riverside Sauna, designed by Alvar and his wife Aino, is a one-of-akind experience, where visitors can combine Finnish sauna and delicious homecooked food and designer furniture. There are a number of relaxing herbal treatments available, and visitors can take a dip in the river, or enjoy soaking in an outdoor hot tub,” Wahlqvist explains. The region is renowned for its beautiful nature and the nearby lake, and there are plenty of outdoor activities available, such as canoeing on the lake, to explore the region and its untouched forests and stunning lakeside. There are also a number of guided walking tours available; perhaps the most

famous of which is the City Nomad walking tour. “The best way to get a thorough insight into the Ironworks is to go on a guided walking tour. Led by a trained local guide, visitors will learn about the Ironworks’ history from the 1600s to the present day. Pre-booked individual and group tours are organised all year round,” Wahlqvist says and she continues. “All the businesses in the Ironworks region are proud of their rich cultural heritage, and we are proud to show visitors what our community is all about.” www.ruukinpuisto.fi Instagram: @kauttuanruukinpuisto Facebook: Kauttuan Ruukinpuisto

Try the Citynomadi mobile tour, The Captivating houses of Kauttua: https://urly.fi/2PpC

The most prominent of the Alvar Aalto sites around Kauttua is the Terraced House building, built in 1938, which tourists can still visit.

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The Seaweed pavilion. Photo: Joakim Züger

The design of Avlsgårdsvænget in Nyborg, Funen, is inspired by a desire to use local materials and connect the site with the surrounding landscape.

The Seaweed pavilion. Photo: Joakim Züger

Seaweed roofs originate from Læsø where seaweed was one of the few available materials.

Architecture Profile of the Month, Denmark

A new starting point for architectural design Creating structures and spaces based on site-specific conditions, local materials and an in-depth understanding of building techniques, Danish architecture studio Rex Skov Arkitekter is exploring a new starting point for architectural design. By Signe Hansen

Photos: Rex Skov Arkitekter

With a background as a carpenter and a Master of Science in Engineering (Architecture) from Aalborg University, Michael Skov, the founder of Rex Skov Arkitekter, approaches architecture slightly differently than many of his fellows. “The way I see architecture, the end product is not a drawing, but a building, and that means a much greater focus on how to actually build what is drawn; on the materials, and the technical aspects,” he explains. “I feel like a lot of things are very theoretical and abstract, created on paper or computer, not through a manual understanding of, or respect for, the available materials and their possibilities.” Since he started Rex Skov Arkitekter in 2020, Skov has worked on a number of 62

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tainable to source all the materials we can from the local area. It’s a bit of a retrospective perspective, which we also explore in a new book we are part of.”

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interesting projects, always with sustainability, buildability and locality front of mind. With his company, he has restructured urban living spaces, expanded a second home, built an award-winning seaweed pavilion for the 2022 Copenhagen’s Chart Art Fair, and, most recently, created 55 new homes in Nyborg, Funen. “In this project, instead of choosing a colour of brick based on the design and then ordering that brick from, say somewhere in Germany, we decided to base the design on a colour of brick that we could source from the local brickworks,” explains Skov. “The thought behind this is that it’s a Funen project, and consequently we find it more socially and environmentally sus-

The project will also feature green heather roofs to emphasise the community’s connection to the adjacent forest and nearby sea. Alongside ground depression and wadies, the roofs will also help with the handling of rainwater. “When we build, we like to take sustainability and energy concerns into consideration as an inspiration for the design, not as a modification afterwards,” stresses Skov. The ideas of Rex Skov Arkitekter are also featured in Works – New Danish Architecture, published 2023, by Arkitektens Forlag. www. rexskov.dk Instagram: @rexskov_arkitekter Facebook: rexskov_arkitekter

Scan Magazine Freshly baked cakes and a cosy ambience make Under Kastanjen the perfect spot for a bit of “fika”.

Restaurant of the Month

Sweden

The restaurant Under Kastanjen sits in one of Stockholm’s most picturesque spots.

Restaurant of the Month, Sweden

Indulge in Swedish classics in one of Stockholm’s most beautiful locations If you are visiting Stockholm, you will most certainly spend a day exploring the Old Town, its narrow lanes, pretty buildings, and historic vibe. Here, you will find what many believe is the Old Town’s most beautiful location, Brända Tomten - The Burnt Lot, which is also home to one of Stockholm’s most cosy and friendly restaurants, Under Kastanjen.

of Swedish classics such as meatballs and fish, all made with the most amazing ingredients.”

By Hanna Andersson

The restaurant is surprisingly big and can host approximately 140 guests spread across the garden, ground floor and first floor. This makes it perfect for larger gatherings such as Christmas parties and work events. Staff can host groups of up to 70 people and will ensure that the service will be as lovely and friendly as it is all year round.

Photos: Alexander-Rydberg-Ling

“The little intersection where our restaurant is located is one of the most photographed places in Stockholm. Plenty of our guests are tourists with their brochures guiding them here, and guides stop here to talk about the historic site,” says Dory Abdallah, owner of Under Kastanjen.

Under Kastanjen translated to English is “Under the Chestnut Tree”, and that is an exact description of the restaurant. It sits in the shadow of a great chestnut tree that enchants the rusty-coloured buildings that decorate the front of the restaurant. A scenery that captivates its visitors through every season. The friendliest staff in town The cosy restaurant is open from 08.00 to 22.00 every day and invites you to enjoy Swedish flavours accompanied by staff who go above and beyond to make sure you have a lovely time. Dory says, “The atmosphere is relaxed. It is a great place to either pop in for a glass of local beer or enjoy some of our carefully chosen dishes. We have decided to keep the menu small but well crafted. It consists

Host your Christmas party at Under Kastanjen

A hidden treasure Under Kastanjen is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and if your guidebook hasn’t done its job, you can just follow the smell of freshly baked bread and pastries to enjoy one of Stockholm’s hidden treasures along with a fika or a generous plate of meatballs. www.underkastanjen.se Instagram: @underkastanjen Facebook: Under Kastanjen November 2023

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An illustration of an egðastrek building housing both a grocery store and apartments. Photo: NoSleep

Architecture Profile of the Month, Norway

A handy corner shop An architectural and landscape planning firm in southwestern Norway is a cornerstone of the local economy. By Eva-Kristin U. Pedersen

If you inherit an old building or a piece of land, once the takeover is complete, you may wonder what to do next. How do you go about planning the property, taking into account the legal regulations that apply as well as aesthetic and practical considerations? The tasks can be quite overwhelming, so it’s good to know who to turn to. “One of our founders used to say that we are supposed to be the shop on the corner where everyone can come and get help. We are here to guide the client through the entire process related to the planning of property and constructing the actual buildings,” Marvin Birkeland stresses. Birkeland is the managing director at egðastrek, formerly known as Kris64

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With its 11 employees, egðastrek is a small company but the size makes it easy for the client to relate to. Where to start?

tiansen & Selmer-Olsen AS, a company specialised in architecture, planning and development of terrain. Høgskolen på Vestlandet. Photo: Pål Hoff

Birkeland explains that egðastrek receives several phone calls from people who have a property that they’d like to

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develop without knowing where to start. “We invite them to an informal meeting, at no cost to the client, during which we talk about the possibilities that property offers. Before the meeting, we try to gather as much information as possible about the property in question so that we know what the possibilities, but also the limitations, are,” Birkeland explains. The company changed its name this year to better reflect what they do but also where they belong – an “egd” is a person from “Agder”, a region which comprises the southernmost coastland and its hinterland. With offices in Egersund, Flekkefjord and Lyngdal, egðastrek works mainly in the southwestern corner of Norway, although Birkeland stresses that the company is involved in projects across the country. Good cooperation As is typical of companies and people from this particular part of Norway, egðastrek does not normally draw much attention to itself. Instead, although they are effectively pillars of the local economy, employees just go about their jobs. “We have very good cooperation with several local entrepreneurs,” Birkeland says. The managing director explains that egðastrek in general splits its work between some 40 per cent commercial edifice, 40 per cent private housing and 20 per cent planning of terrain and property,” Birkeland comments, adding that the company also takes on public con-

Architecture Profile of the Month

Norway

egðastrek is designing Biltema’s shops across Norway. Photo: egðastrek

struction tasks, though that has diminished in recent years. When it comes to commercial buildings, egðastrek boasts many well-known customers, including Biltema, for whom they are building shops throughout Norway, as well as the Coop grocery stores in southwestern Norway. As a company, egðastrek does not promote any particular architectural style rather employees focus on being available for people and businesses who want or need to embark on a construction project in the local community. Rebuilding and restructuring While new constructions are still the bulk of what egðastrek does, Birkeland says that there is much more focus now, compared to just a few years ago, on the need to rebuild and restructure old buildings for new purposes. That’s something staff at egðastrek has a long history of doing; already in 1999, the company was awarded the Egersund kommunes “Arkitekturvernpris”, a prize

for architectural preservation, for the local newspaper Dalande Tidende’s office in Egersund. The prize was awarded for the combination of old and new buildings into a modern structure. More recently, egðastrek was responsible for the rebuilding of Flekkefjord Sparebank in Mandal, for which their architects designed a new building which is similar but not identical to the original building. “People are increasingly aware of the need to reuse the buildings we have, as well as on the sustainability of the entire building process. Those are competencies that we have and that we are working to expand,” Birkeland underlines. He adds that the so-called “blue-green solutions”, in which water is used as a resource in the preservation of green areas, are also on the rise. How ever you want to do it, if you have a property you’d like to develop or an old house you wish to rebuild, you may want to call egðastrek. www.egdastrek.no

This villa has been completely refurbished by egðastrek. Photo: egðastrek

egðastrek is the place to turn to for both planning and design and landscapes and buildings. Photo: egðastrek

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Design Studio of the Month

Finland

Design Studio of the Month, Finland

Timeless elegance – Taiga’s design embraces nature at work Taiga’s artfully crafted, soundproof Nordic workspaces have found their way into thousands of offices around the world. Taiga’s head of design, Pekka Eskelinen, had a vision of creating modular workspaces deeply connected to nature, and that vision is gaining popularity as workplaces increasingly adopt more flexible and sustainable ways of working. By John Weston

Photos: Taiga

“Taiga’s design philosophy is deeply rooted in timeless simplicity and a connection to nature. Any new products we design adhere to this – we maximise the use of renewable materials and focus on creating timeless high-quality products that are not only beautiful, but which also make the experience of work more enjoyable,” Eskelinen tells us.

and feel connected,” says Eskelinen. “It’s important to have a good level of soundproofing, while not making the user feel too isolated. That’s why we aim to have great acoustics and a working environment that – most importantly – makes you feel good,” he says. “Similar to the calm and inspiring feeling you get by being in nature.”

A more natural way of working

Taiga also pays attention to its impact on nature. “The environment has always been front of mind for us. Our workspaces are designed to last, with structures

Taiga’s approach to workspaces is that every design element, from natural acoustics to pleasant lighting, should be carefully considered in order to respect the natural feel of the product and ensure a harmonious synergy of form and function. Glass walls on both sides of the booths create a comfortable and natural sense of space and lightness. “Our workspaces provide a place to work in private, but also to collaborate 66

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that can be dismantled and reassembled in new locations, with various layouts and accessories. You can see this in the high-quality renewable materials we use, as well as our resource-efficient manufacturing and maintenance services.” Flexible solutions for companies of all sizes Taiga’s Lohko workspace solutions can already be found in more than two dozen countries in Europe and Asia. Clients vary from large multi-office projects, such as Europe’s leading fashion platform, Zalando, which has around 300 of Taiga’s quiet workspaces, to individual workspaces such as Taiga’s classic office phone booth or its 28-square-metre conference room. “Our design was built for the needs of the changing work environment,” says Eskelinen. “There are various options for natural veneers, upholstery colours, and accessories. We also have specifically designed furniture that allows for the creation of different layouts from private workstations to meeting rooms.” www.taigaconcept.fi

Scan Magazine All beers are brewed at ÅBENs brewery in Copenhagen.

Lars Vejen’s ENSO lamps brighten the bar. Photo: Jacob Lerche

Brewery of the Month

Denmark

Visualisation of the space by Spacon&X.

Bio textiles developed by Natural Material Studio. Photo: Peter Vinther

Brewery of the Month, Denmark

ÅBEN: Copenhagen Airport’s new vibrant meeting place With three existing bars in Denmark, the craft brewery ÅBEN is aiming to fly high with their new bar due to open at Copenhagen Airport’s Terminal 2 in November 2023. Partnering up with the renowned design studio Spacon & X, the bar is set to become somewhat of a showroom for Danish design. By Karin Blak

Photos: Clara Maj Pinholt

Since the brewery was founded in 2017, the DNA of ÅBEN (Danish for ‘open’) has been to embrace quality in everything they do, and their new airport bar is no exception. Through collaborations with local partners, ÅBEN demonstrates that they are indeed ‘open’ to new ideas, and travellers can thus look forward to a bar where modern design meets local craftsmanship. Known for designing restaurants within the Michelin-starred Noma family, Spacon & X has been commissioned to design a space that is homely and welcoming yet reflects the brewing process that takes place less than 10 km from the bar. With 30 taps serving a variety of craft beers, the stainless-steel bar is the first thing to catch your eye, providing a direct reference to the industrial vibe of ÅBEN’s bar and brewery in the Meatpacking Dis-

trict. The raw look stands in sharp contrast to the bio textiles hung from the ceiling to create intimate spaces for travellers. The dividers are custom-made and serve almost as an art installation where leftover malt grains - a by-product from ÅBEN’s own production - can be spotted throughout. What to Expect

for what’s to come or the hustle and bustle of making everything before takeoff. So, we wanted to create a space that invites people to slow down and make the best of their waiting time,” explains Nanna Arvedsen, chief operating officer at ÅBEN. Indeed, ÅBEN has created something rare - a good reason to get to the airport well ahead of time, skip the stress and start your trip by enjoying a craft beer and a slice of pizza. www.aabenbryg.dk Instagram: @aabenbryg Facebook: aabenkoedbyen

Positioned before check-in and security, the bar is open for all visitors to the airport. ÅBEN’s intention is to provide a cosy beer bar and a meeting point where travellers can say goodbye to family and friends or wait for arrivals. “The bar is designed as a safe haven where travellers can relax and start off or end their journey with peace of mind. Going to the airport can for many be linked to a lot of emotions whether it’s excitement

Nanna Arvedsen, COO at ÅBEN.

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Culture

Columns

Best new Scandi music in November After scoring a major hit together over five years ago with Breathe, Norwegian artist Ina Wroldsen has reunited with British producer Jax Jones on a new single release Won’t Forget You. It’s been a big summer for Ina; she’s the writer behind Kylie Minogue’s monumental smash Padam Padam. Won’t Forget You is a hands-in-the-air dance track that pairs well with Kylie’s hit. Swedish artist Lou Elliotte is out with a super-cute new release. Tracksuit Pants is a pop tune about being triggered by a particular item of clothing that a loser ex used to wear all the time. I feel for her as it just so happens to be a wardrobe staple for many – but I’m delighted to get such a top-tier bop out of her unfortunate plight! Early ’00s Danish pop band C21 have reunited for their first release in 18 years.

Tricks is the big comeback single from the pair and serves up a slice of welcome nostalgia – taking us right back to the sound of start-of-the-century radio pop. If you weren’t familiar with C21 first time around, you might well recognise one of the two – Søren Bregendal – regardless. Since his initial run in C21, Søren has represented Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 as a member of Lighthouse X, and he’s also starred in seasons 2 and 3 of Emily In Paris, as Erik. She’s previously written for Scandinavian pop faves including Omar Rudberg, Synne Vo, Torine, Ruben and Broiler – now Norwegian artist Caden is set to become a new Scandinavian pop fave herself. Debut single Bridges is an instantly likeable country-pop ditty that demonstrates the fact that Caden knows her way around a

Monthly Illustration

Swedes love a good, Swedish feel-good novel. Especially, one set in the north, featuring solid northern characters and solid northern topics, such as poor communication, darkness, death and loneliness. If you ask yourself what these topics are doing in a feel-good novel, you’re not alone. I keep turning the pages of these books, waiting for something – anything – uplifting to happen. But it doesn’t. By the penultimate page, I may be rewarded with a bleak allusion that things ‘might get better’.

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hit composition. The song should appeal to fans of Smith & Thell, Of Monsters & Men, and really just about anybody who appreciates the art of an epic pop melody. www.scandipop.co.uk

By Maria Smedstad

Vemod

One story that I read recently was so miserable that I had to buy an English translation to give to my husband, just to share the burden. “This is the most miserable thing I’ve ever read,” claimed my husband, whose other bedside literature includes titles such as How not to be Boring, and a Stalin biography. The Swedes on the other hand view it differently. “Didn’t you get the funny

By Karl Batterbee

country far, far away, we highlight our ability to spot elements of optimism in dire situations. Yes, it may all be very morbid at the source, but Lucia brings light to our frozen darkness at a time when we need it most. Which is what I’ll be telling myself the next time I pick up a Swedish feel-good novel. Or perhaps I’ll stick with British crime, where at least the misery is every bit as miserable as it proclaims to be.

bits?” my sister will ask, surprised. I think it comes down to the Swedish appreciation of ‘vemod’. Vemod roughly translates to melancholy. And Swedes can’t get enough of it. Something about relentless, angst-ridden sadness really puts them in a good mood. Perhaps it can be further demonstrated in our annual celebration of St Lucia. In choosing to commemorate a candle-clad Italian saint, who died a horrible death in a

Maria Smedstad moved to the UK from Sweden in 1994. She received a degree in Illustration in 2001, before settling in the capital as a freelance cartoonist, creating the autobiographical cartoon Em. Maria writes a column on the trials and tribulations of life as a Swede in the UK.

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Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! By Hanna Heiskanen

Pussy Riot: From the action ‘Putin Peed His Pants’, Red Square, Moscow, 2012. Photo: Denis Sinyakov

Nafas ‫ سفن‬Dansfestival (15 to 18 November)

The Power (of) The Fragile at Nafas ‫سفن‬ Dansfestival. Photo: Christian Tandberg

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November 2023

Who gets to be on stage, and does dance today reflect modern societies? For four days in mid-November, Skånes Dansteater, located in southern Sweden, explores this question in a festival named after the Farsi word for breath, nafas. The festival consists of three performances and two workshops. The former include a touching duo between a mother and a son, who gets to realise her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Östra Varvsgatan 13a, Malmö skanesdansteater.se

Candela (29 November) As the nights draw in, a bit of Spanish flamenco should warm you up. Candela, a group consisting of musicians and a dancer, are performing at Oslo’s Røverstaden concert venue in late November. Flamenco promises to be a feast for both the eyes and the ears. Munkedamsveien 15, Oslo roverstaden.no

Flora Favola — Kreetta Järvenpää and Heikki Marila (until 7 January 2024) Flowers are a timeless theme in art — see it for yourself in this double exhibition

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Kreetta Järvenpää: Flora Favola, 2022. Photo: Kreetta Järvenpää

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Heikki Marila: Kukat XXVII, 2010. Turun kaupungin taidekokoelma. Photo: Turun museokeskus & Martti Puhakka

Gloria López Cleries: [ASMR] Reading You To Sleep. Soft Spoken Relaxation About Affective Capitalism, 2020. Photo: Gloria López Cleries & Ailen Lucia ASMR

by Finns Kreetta Järvenpää (b. 1974) and Heikki Marila (b. 1966), who both specialise in photographing and painting them. Marila received the Carnegie Art Award in 2012 for his works. The Poikilo Museum is in Kouvola, a few hours northeast of Helsinki by car or train, and famed for its brutalist cityscape. Varuskuntakatu 11, Kouvola poikilo.fi

Pussy Riot: Velvet Terrorism (until 14 January 2024) Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist-activist art collective that cannot be silenced. The group has been making political art since 2011 and has riled up Russian authorities along the way. The exhibition derives its name from Putin’s advisor, who described the collective as velvet terrorists. This showcase in Louisiana, outside Copenhagen, of Pussy Riot’s work is the largest to date. Gl. Strandvej 13, Humlebæk louisiana.dk

Lee Bul (until 14 January 2024) The Sara Hildén Art Museum in Finland’s second city, Tampere, is exhibiting the works of the contemporary South Korean artist Lee Bul this autumn. Inspired by sci-fi, architecture and the history of art, Lee’s works include sculptures and paintings often made out of contrasting 72

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November 2023

materials worked in layers. This exhibition is her first in Finland and her second in Scandinavia. Särkänniemi, Tampere sarahildenintaidemuseo.fi

Happily Ever After (until 31 March 2024) The Malmö Art Museum asks: “What happens when our feelings are exploited for profit and control?” Exploring this question are 25 artists working with different media, touching on issues such as mindfulness and the tech industry in an attempt to create highly timely art. Two new pieces have also been created for the exhibition. Malmöhusvägen 6, Malmö malmo.se

Danish Royal Theatre: guided tours (various dates) There’s nothing more exciting than getting a sneak peek behind the scenes of a working theatre for a bit of that stage magic, and that’s exactly what’s on offer in Copenhagen. You can sign up for a regular tour taking you through this beautiful building from 1874, but if you speak Danish, there are also thematic tours planned around current performances. August Bournonvilles Passage 8, Copenhagen kglteater.dk

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Adelita Husnei-Bey: After the finish line, 2015. Photo: Adelita Husnei-Bey

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