IN SEARCH OF DESIGN - Copenhagen
Last summer one of my favourite past times was hunting out design in some of the wonderful shops that were on offer in Århus (link) so it was with much excitement that I returned to Denmark once more to return on my quest in search of great design. You'll be glad to hear that Copenhagen did not disappoint.
My personal favourites include HAY and Illums Bolighus:
Below is a collection of some of the things I liked the best:
[From Top] Harlequin Bed cover by Hay | Woody by Hay | Caravaggio lights by Cecilie Manz | Wedge Doorstop by Ed Carpenter | Wooden Dolls by Alexander Girard | Twins Mobile by Our Children's Gorilla | Clouds by The Bouroullec Brothers
The Skovshoved Petrol Station
This beautifully simple petrol station is found in Skovshoved just north of Copenhagen and was designed by the architect and designer Arne Jacobsen back in 1936. I love the functionalist aesthetic of the place and how the canopy at the front offers shade and shelter for motorists but also doubles as a sign at night. In Danish it's known as the Paddehatten (meaning The Mushroom). Why can't all petrol stations look this good?
Room 606
It would be nice to say that on our visit to Copenhagen we got a chance to stay at the famous Room 606 but unfortunately our budget was far removed from such luxuries. We did however manage to convince the receptionist in the lobby to let us upstairs to take a sneak peak at the hotel room that apparently deserves having a whole book dedicated to it.
The room remains almost exactly as Arne Jacobson designed it in 1960 and contains his wonderfully iconic teal furniture and some really amazing wooden paneling. It's sad to hear that the remaining majority of the hotel has been replaced by corporate standard fabrics and furniture but there are still touches of Jacobson's original design to be found around the place. This includes the wonderful lobby space (that houses his famous Swan and Egg chairs) and part of the restaurant on the top floor that not only offers stunning views over the city but also allows you to eat with Jacobson's stainless-steel cutlery that he decided specifically for the hotel.
Kim Høltermand and The Royal Danish Playhouse
It was terrific to see Slaraffenklang perform at The Royal Danish Playhouse. It's a wonderful building that is situated on the harbour front in the center of the city. I love how it comes straight off the pier and sits right out on the water. It was designed by architects Lundgaard and Tranberg and won the RIBA European Award for architecture in 2008.
Before my visit this month I had seen the building previously in the photos of Danish photographer Kim Høltermand. Høltermand is a terrific photographer who is well worth checking out.
The Tivoli Chair
I'm normally not much of a fan of Verner Panton but have to admit I really like these chairs at the Skuespilhuset. The chairs, known as the Tivoli chairs, were designed for a restaurant in Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen in 1955. According to the Montana site "the chair was re-launched by Joakim Lassen (in 2003) and the Tivoli Lounge and Tivoli Bar were designed on the basis of Verner Panton’s written thoughts about other versions of the chair."
Never mind being designed for Tivoli, they look just perfect in the theater.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
