Comfortable Classics and Sustainability at Danish Design Show
Optimism filled the air at Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design 2021 as iconic brands looked to a post-pandemic future
After many months of pandemic-related restrictions, the streets of Copenhagen were unusually vibrant and filled with optimism during 3 Days of Design, the Danish capital’s annual design festival, which took place Sept. 16 to 18 this year. More than 200 companies and organizations opened their doors to invite the public behind the scenes to discover the best recent offerings from the Danish design scene.
Houzz went to Copenhagen to find out how Danish design will look, act and possibly change in a post-pandemic world.
Houzz went to Copenhagen to find out how Danish design will look, act and possibly change in a post-pandemic world.
Photo from 3 Days of Design
And the industry itself? Having fared well in a difficult situation, the industry leaders we spoke to are full of optimism for the future.
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And the industry itself? Having fared well in a difficult situation, the industry leaders we spoke to are full of optimism for the future.
Find an interior designer near you
Wishbone chairs by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son. The timeless, classic wooden furniture were everywhere during 3 Days of Design this year.
Beautiful and Enduring
Manufacturer Carl Hansen & Son — particularly known for producing the Wishbone chair — has seen a huge increase in the demand for its products since the beginning of the pandemic, says CEO and grandson of the eponymous founder Knud Erik Hansen.
“Sitting at home during lockdowns, many people have discovered that it is about time to update parts of their interior. The strong economies we see in many countries, combined with an increasing focus on sustainability, make products like ours very appealing,” Hansen says, adding that the company has seen this pattern across all markets.
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Beautiful and Enduring
Manufacturer Carl Hansen & Son — particularly known for producing the Wishbone chair — has seen a huge increase in the demand for its products since the beginning of the pandemic, says CEO and grandson of the eponymous founder Knud Erik Hansen.
“Sitting at home during lockdowns, many people have discovered that it is about time to update parts of their interior. The strong economies we see in many countries, combined with an increasing focus on sustainability, make products like ours very appealing,” Hansen says, adding that the company has seen this pattern across all markets.
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“We don’t offer fashionable furniture. We sell classic furniture that will stay beautiful — and often become even more beautiful over time as it gains a natural patina,” he says.
“If, for example, you want to buy new chairs and keep them for many years, ask yourself: If a chair has been comfortable and beautiful and endured for over 50 years, why wouldn’t it stay like that for the next decades?” He says the Wishbone chair has been extraordinarily popular during the pandemic all over the world.
Big Trends From the 2021 Maison & Objet Fair
“If, for example, you want to buy new chairs and keep them for many years, ask yourself: If a chair has been comfortable and beautiful and endured for over 50 years, why wouldn’t it stay like that for the next decades?” He says the Wishbone chair has been extraordinarily popular during the pandemic all over the world.
Big Trends From the 2021 Maison & Objet Fair
The Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
The Classics, But Comfier
Fritz Hansen — the Danish furniture manufacturer especially known for producing Arne Jacobsen chairs like The Swan, The Egg and Series 7 — sees a similar pattern: a growing demand for high-quality products.
“We are experiencing an explosion in the sales of products to private homes. And it is not just a question of investing in great-quality furniture — it is also about going the extra mile, choosing the more exclusive and luxurious versions of already high-quality products,” says Christian Andresen, design and brand ambassador at Fritz Hansen.
“For example, when buying a Series 7 chair, customers now tend to choose the upholstered leather version rather than the version with a wooden surface. A wooden chair is fine and comfortable for a couple of hours, but if you spend many hours in it at home, it is worth upgrading. And I believe that this kind of demand will continue in the future,” Andresen says. The trend, he tells us, is global.
The Classics, But Comfier
Fritz Hansen — the Danish furniture manufacturer especially known for producing Arne Jacobsen chairs like The Swan, The Egg and Series 7 — sees a similar pattern: a growing demand for high-quality products.
“We are experiencing an explosion in the sales of products to private homes. And it is not just a question of investing in great-quality furniture — it is also about going the extra mile, choosing the more exclusive and luxurious versions of already high-quality products,” says Christian Andresen, design and brand ambassador at Fritz Hansen.
“For example, when buying a Series 7 chair, customers now tend to choose the upholstered leather version rather than the version with a wooden surface. A wooden chair is fine and comfortable for a couple of hours, but if you spend many hours in it at home, it is worth upgrading. And I believe that this kind of demand will continue in the future,” Andresen says. The trend, he tells us, is global.
The comfortable and timeless Great Pampas sofa from Eilersen
Mature Design for a Younger Demographic
Overall, the increased focus on home and more time spent in the house — whether with family or working from home — agrees with the core values of Danish design: functionality, timeless design and high quality.
Danish sofa manufacturer Eilersen has experienced not just an increased demand for its rather exclusive products, but also has welcomed a growing number of younger customers. “Our target demographic is normally people aged 35-plus, but during the pandemic more and more younger people have bought our products,” says co-owner Nils Eilersen. “That is, of course, related to the fact that they have not been able to spend their money on other things, like expensive holidays, for instance. But we believe it also indicates a change of mindset across all age groups, stressing that the fast-fashion culture is on its way out.”
Mature Design for a Younger Demographic
Overall, the increased focus on home and more time spent in the house — whether with family or working from home — agrees with the core values of Danish design: functionality, timeless design and high quality.
Danish sofa manufacturer Eilersen has experienced not just an increased demand for its rather exclusive products, but also has welcomed a growing number of younger customers. “Our target demographic is normally people aged 35-plus, but during the pandemic more and more younger people have bought our products,” says co-owner Nils Eilersen. “That is, of course, related to the fact that they have not been able to spend their money on other things, like expensive holidays, for instance. But we believe it also indicates a change of mindset across all age groups, stressing that the fast-fashion culture is on its way out.”
The company has recently launched the Take Your Time campaign to emphasize the importance of this shift in how we consume.
“We want to encourage people to slow down, focus and spend more time at home, whether with our products or not. If we want to solve the problems we are dealing with as a planet and humanity, the only way forward is to think, slow down and stop consuming pointless things that don’t actually bring joy,” Eilersen says.
Textiles of the Future Will Be Colorful and Biodegradable
“We want to encourage people to slow down, focus and spend more time at home, whether with our products or not. If we want to solve the problems we are dealing with as a planet and humanity, the only way forward is to think, slow down and stop consuming pointless things that don’t actually bring joy,” Eilersen says.
Textiles of the Future Will Be Colorful and Biodegradable
Rhombe Color collection by design duo Stilleben for Lyngby Porcelæn, a company within Rosendahl Design Group. Photo from 3 Days of Design
The Meal as an Essential — and Well-Designed — Meeting Point
The pandemic has created a new so-called economy of home, making how we live more important than where we live, says Kristina Kousgaard Sørensen, public relations and communications manager at Rosendahl Design Group.
“More than a year with the coronavirus and reflection on what really matters to us as humans has created a great deal of focus on proximity and togetherness. As a result of that, craftsmanship as well as value-based, personal and responsible decisions mean more to us when choosing design and interiors for the home,” she says.
The Meal as an Essential — and Well-Designed — Meeting Point
The pandemic has created a new so-called economy of home, making how we live more important than where we live, says Kristina Kousgaard Sørensen, public relations and communications manager at Rosendahl Design Group.
“More than a year with the coronavirus and reflection on what really matters to us as humans has created a great deal of focus on proximity and togetherness. As a result of that, craftsmanship as well as value-based, personal and responsible decisions mean more to us when choosing design and interiors for the home,” she says.
During 3 Days of Design, Hay opened its doors to give the public a sense of the many ways tableware can be combined to personalize a dining table. Photo from 3 Days of Design.
At the same time, rituals have become increasingly important at home, and their significance will only continue to grow, according to predictions from Rosendahl Design Group.
“For example, meals at home have become an even more important and essential point for coming together. And now that it is possible to meet other people again, we believe that quality design for the table will play an even bigger role in the future, as it gives us an opportunity to personalize the styling of the table and thereby add value to the social life surrounding the meal,” Kousgaard Sørensen says.
At the same time, rituals have become increasingly important at home, and their significance will only continue to grow, according to predictions from Rosendahl Design Group.
“For example, meals at home have become an even more important and essential point for coming together. And now that it is possible to meet other people again, we believe that quality design for the table will play an even bigger role in the future, as it gives us an opportunity to personalize the styling of the table and thereby add value to the social life surrounding the meal,” Kousgaard Sørensen says.
Restoring and Recycling
Jesper Panduro, CEO of furniture manufacturer Skagerak, has observed that environmental awareness and a feeling of responsibility among consumers has grown during the pandemic.
“A few years ago we launched the Re-Classic initiative, where we buy back Skagerak products, restore them if necessary, and resell them to other customers. And throughout the pandemic we have seen a huge increase in the demand for these pre-loved items,” he says.
Jesper Panduro, CEO of furniture manufacturer Skagerak, has observed that environmental awareness and a feeling of responsibility among consumers has grown during the pandemic.
“A few years ago we launched the Re-Classic initiative, where we buy back Skagerak products, restore them if necessary, and resell them to other customers. And throughout the pandemic we have seen a huge increase in the demand for these pre-loved items,” he says.
At this year’s fair, Bang & Olufsen also unveiled solutions for updating aging products. The Danish radio and TV manufacturer has recently launched an upgrade kit for its 1970 series turntables. Photo from 3 Days of Design
Panduro believes that this love for secondhand items is not just a temporary trend but in fact a glimpse of the future. “When I look at my teenagers at home and the way they combine their wardrobe, it is a great mix of new and old clothes. And I am sure this is the way future generations will furnish their homes,” he says.
Panduro believes that this love for secondhand items is not just a temporary trend but in fact a glimpse of the future. “When I look at my teenagers at home and the way they combine their wardrobe, it is a great mix of new and old clothes. And I am sure this is the way future generations will furnish their homes,” he says.
During the three-day design festival, Royal Copenhagen showcased how old (and pre-loved) porcelain can be combined with new products. Photo from 3 Days of Design
Sustainability Fueling Interest in Antiques and Vintage Items
Lauritz.com, the largest auction house in Northern Europe, also sees increased interest in pre-loved furnishings and decor.
“It is difficult to give one specific reason for a larger change in the design market. But there is no doubt that the echo of coronavirus has expanded our focus on the home as a safe base. We believe that this development — in combination with a growing interest in recycling and sustainability — will be a vital source of growth in the years to come,” says Mette Rode Sundstrøm, CEO at Lauritz.com.
“So far, people have most often bought things at auctions because of the aesthetics, the history or the high quality of the aged objects. But now we are seeing a whole new generation of customers for whom sustainability is the primary reason for bidding at auctions,” Rode Sundstrøm says. “They want to contribute to protecting our planet and to prevent the habits of just buying and throwing things away.”
Sustainability Fueling Interest in Antiques and Vintage Items
Lauritz.com, the largest auction house in Northern Europe, also sees increased interest in pre-loved furnishings and decor.
“It is difficult to give one specific reason for a larger change in the design market. But there is no doubt that the echo of coronavirus has expanded our focus on the home as a safe base. We believe that this development — in combination with a growing interest in recycling and sustainability — will be a vital source of growth in the years to come,” says Mette Rode Sundstrøm, CEO at Lauritz.com.
“So far, people have most often bought things at auctions because of the aesthetics, the history or the high quality of the aged objects. But now we are seeing a whole new generation of customers for whom sustainability is the primary reason for bidding at auctions,” Rode Sundstrøm says. “They want to contribute to protecting our planet and to prevent the habits of just buying and throwing things away.”
While this year’s 3 Days of Design felt like a sneak peak into the future, only time will tell whether it is the pre-loved interior, the meal as a revered meeting point or the upholstered design classics that will dominate the future of Danish design.
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The question might be simple, but the answers are complex and eye-opening. Our key takeaways? Look for less fashionable furniture, more long-lasting classics and a new generation of responsible consumers.