Design House Stockholm: A catalyst for creativity

By Malin Norman | Photos: Design House Stockholm

Design House Stockholm pushes the boundaries for innovative Scandinavian design in its vision to democratise design. Since 1992, the premium brand has been collaborating with new and upcoming as well as established designers. Iconic products include Harri Koskinen’s Block Lamp, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, as well as Lisa Larsson’s Birds 1967 launched in 2024.

Design House Stockholm is a publishing house for Scandinavian design, rather than a conventional producer. Currently with more than 60 designers in its network, the brand welcomes all designers, regardless of background, to come with their ideas – working with designers as publishing houses work with authors.

Block Lamp – a modern classic! The contrast between the solid glass ice cube and the industrial Edison bulb creates a unique visual tension – part sculpture, part functional light.

“For us, design and production make the heart of the organisation, where we act as a publisher and designers find an opportunity to be published,” says Anders Färdig, founder and former CEO. “In collaboration with our designers and skilled producers, we push the boundaries for the concept of design. It’s through the team’s collective knowledge that ideas are scrutinised, challenged and refined – and moments of creative magnetism arise.”

Design House Stockholm has been a strong brand for decades, both in the Nordic countries and internationally. The company’s unique business concept, in close collaboration with well-known and emerging designers, has attracted attention, not least through product launches with MoMA Design Store (Museum of Modern Art, New York).

Mellow Clock by Joe Par.

Scandinavian design philosophy

The ambition of Design House Stockholm is to offer a collection of the very best Scandinavian design, from designers around the world. Its portfolio includes furniture, lighting, kitchenware, tableware, design objects and fashion accessories – design classics with qualities that outlive fast trends.

“We strive to be a catalyst for creativity. We explore, refine and challenge the boundaries for what the natural resource of Scandinavian design can be,” says Anders. “This is our homage to creativity, where the term Scandinavian stands for a philosophy and an aesthetic perspective, and not a geographical location or nationality.”

Rather than selecting a designer to make a specific product, all designers are invited to bring their own ideas. Some of these ideas are selected for development and production. Anders explains the approach; “We look for products that add something new to their genre – designs that are highly functional while still expressing a strong personality and character.”

Lisa Larson’s sculptures Yoga represent her creativity at its most personal level. The four different sculptures play with light and shadows, embodying the desire to truly connect with oneself.

Birds 1967 and Block Lamp

A prime example is Lisa Larsson’s Birds 1967 collection, which was released in 2024. The wooden design Birds 1967 was originally crafted after a year spent in the USA during the 1960s, inspired by an era of hope, freedom, and flower power.

The colour collection spans from wooden sculptures to vibrant illustrated mugs, celebrating the creative legacy of Lisa Larson and bringing the energy of the ’60s into everyday life. “With bold, joyful patterns, influenced by Mexican folklore, Lisa Larson captured the spirit of the times – full of life and soul,” says Heddie Färdig, marketing & PR director.

Another icon is Harri Koskinen’s Block Lamp, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. One of Design House Stockholm’s most recognisable pieces and part of MoMA’s permanent collection, the Block Lamp can be found in homes around the world.

“When we first met Harri Koskinen, he was still an unknown student, but he had an amazing idea. An idea that would generate a worldwide success,” says Heddie. “It’s been three decades since that first introduction and what began as a student assignment in Helsinki – casting everyday objects in glass – became a design that has since travelled far beyond its origins.”

Mellow Clock, Nordic Light and Yoga

Mellow Clock by Joe Parr is another stand-out design, blending kinetic art and functionality into a bold, artistic statement, challenging our obsession with time. “Mellow Clock is more than just a clock – it’s a kinetic sculpture, with influences from both past and present artists,” says Heddie.

The candle holder Nordic Light by Jonas Grundell has also become a design classic, thanks to its simplicity and flexibility; unfold the arms and shape it at will. When the lights have burnt down, you can fold up the candle holder, which then takes up a minimum of storage space. Perfect for Advent, naturally, this stylish piece also looks great any time of year. This season sees two new colours, vibrant red and green, for a playful expression.

New in the line-up this year is Fireplace Lamp by HYBE DESIGN TEAM, which is encased in a slotted cylinder. The transparency of the glass beautifully reflects the warmth of the light, while the small slits cast shifting light and shadow across the room. The team has crafted an object that goes beyond mere functionality, making memory and movement an integral part of its design.

And Lisa Larsson’s Yoga was also launched earlier this year. Four different sculptures play with light and shadows, embodying the urge to connect with oneself. Heddie adds; “Lisa Larson truly captured the essence of yoga in her unglazed and raw figurines, striving for that perfect balance.”