Hygge in the home and how it can be applied to dining.
Olia Hercules.
Introducing Hygge. The Danish and Norwegian noun ‘Hygge’ (pronounced hue-guh), refers to ‘a form of everyday togetherness’, something nice, cosy, and safe. The Swedish use a similar adjective, Mysig, which describes a salubrious and warm environment of togetherness (Scandinavian Style at Home, 2017), a design phenomenon and standard which Scandinavian design has flawlessly executed since the late 20th century. The design principles of Hygge have historically been applied to living interiors and environments to combat the notoriously cold and unforgiving Scandi weather and long, dark winters in order to create metaphorical warmth and cosiness. But when considering where to best utilise this in the home, one must remember how ‘togetherness’ plays a key factor in Hygge living – and nothing brings people together more than food and fine dining. Slow Design - a branch of the Slow Movement - first began with the concept of Slow Food, which as the name suggests is a term coined to contrast fast food (Design and Theory, 2014). The comprehensive goal of this movement is to promote well-being for not only individuals but the natural environment upon which we rely so heavily. Olia Hercules, a UK author, chef, and food enthusiast consistently displays and creates homely and honest food that feeds her curiosity of culinary traditions from less explored cultures. The food that she plates goes hand in hand with Hygge – so how do we create the ultimate Hygge dining experience to celebrate this Slow Food Movement?
Doshi Levien, Stockholm Furniture and Lighting Fair.
Old Town, Stockholm.
Stockholm can be arguably coined the design capital of Europe, and when exploring the vibrant streets and surrounding architecture that have stood for centuries present a visual warmth in colour to combat the typically cold climate. From the three islets of Old Town, to the surrounding suburbs of Orby, this colour theme can be found in a fashion that contrasts textured white walls against typically striking yellows, oranges, or reds – hues that are earthy and rich. They almost cry out to be touched or entered, and feel inviting to the viewer, an experience that can be crucial to interiors in order to maintain Hygge. Rimma Tchilingan’s porcelain study is almost visually synonymous to this, her two-parted vases sharply contrasted using a multi-faceted bottom section against a smooth and inviting colour-rich top half (The Method Case, 2015). The contemporary Chinese design paired with typically Scandi minimalism results in an honest and traditionally formed piece that can be explored through touch for a truly haptic experience, that does not look out of place as a dining centrepiece or humble relief of negative space elsewhere in the room.
Rimma Tchilingan, Porcelain Study.
Hella Jongerius, Breathing Colour.
Hella Jongerius’ extensive research into colour, form and light has resulted in an eye-opening exhibition ‘Breathing Colour’ which combats industrially produced colour and dyes with woven textile and faceted colour catchers that bend and manipulate shadow and light. She demonstrates how simple form can be more inviting with one colour and simple grooves to respond to lighting conditions, something that can be a crucial factor in producing a successful dining atmosphere. Although they are made from glass, the Ferm Living Ripple Glass collection executes this beautifully. The understated forms of the hand-blown Carafe and paired glasses are accentuated by strong vertical lines and only interrupted by a sharp widening near the vessel base and Carafe neck. The Geometry Ceramics vase by Myslady is another simplistic and organic take on this, using dark matte rich colour against subtle vertical grooves that seem trenched by human fingers.
Ferm Living, Rippple Glass.
David Designs’ Wildwood collection takes this same influence and applies it to furniture, which was apparent at the Stockholm Furniture and Lighting Fair of 2020 as the pieces can be seen alongside large physical frames of Scandinavian landscapes. This is a very literal method of bringing ‘the outside in’ so to speak – Minding’s Conscious Living collection takes this one step further and utilises cork as a dominant material of choice in their furniture. It is used to upholster a range of pieces, with warm tones and a smooth, forgiving texture that contrasts the Portuguese tree bark from which it originates. The earthiness of such a material is always a welcome addition to a dining table, especially when referring to Slow Design considering that this cork in question is taken every nine years from the tree that provides it. As humans we are naturally drawn to objects that are reminiscent of natural forms and textures, and someone who consistently sculpts such forms is Swedish ceramicist Marten Medbo. His body of work is painstakingly crafted using traditional glazing and wheel turning methods, resulting in truly organic and dark sculptures that are strongly influenced by nature. This presence is something that is welcome in any home that takes a strong Hygge design direction, and pairs well with dining and ultimately slow design and food due to its honesty (this can be applied using tableware that is similarly sensory).
Marten Medbo, Studio space.
David Designs, Wildwood Collection.
David Designs, Wildwood Collection.
Conclusion.
So how can all these influences result in a Hygge dining experience? Well, they can certainly provide inspiration, the colours in particular – a warm selection of earthy tones to emphasize the cosiness that Hygge aims to provide, with a contrast against a brighter white to provide some visual relief. This can be extremely effective when considering ceramics used to display food in front of those gathered around the table, paired with Olia Hercules inspired dishes. A centrepiece carafe paired with a selection of drinking vessels can bring some visual balance to the table, and be something that is enjoyable to interact with and drink from – considering a minimal aesthetic complimented by subtle accents and lines to give the form some tactility. Well considered underlighting is something that can be explored to truly bring the whole setting together and establish a rapport with the group of people, something that Hygge always aims to achieve. The resulting Hygge dining experience will ultimately convey the feeling of warmth and safety that is perfectly suited to tucking in with friends and family.
Figures List.
Fig. 1 - Wolstenholme, Adam (Photograph) Artek and Vitra Showroom (taken 06/02/20) Fig. 2 - Olia Hercules (Digital image) Available at http://www.independent.co.uk/ life-style/food-and-drink/kaukasis-interview-georgia-olia-hercules-caucasus-armenia-azerbijan-a7911036.html (Accessed 09/03/20) Fig. 3 - Wolstenholme, Adam (Photograph) Doshi Levien intsallation (taken 04/02/20) Fig. 4 - Wolstenholme, Adam (Photograph) Old Town Stockholm (taken 05/02/20) Fig. 5 - Rimma Tchilingan, Porcelain Study. (Digital image) Available at https:// www.themethodcase.com/wp-content/ uploads/2015/04/Rimma-Tchilingarian-Colour-Vases-07.png (Accessed 07/03/20) Fig. 6 - Rimma Tchilingan, Porcelain Study. (Digital image) Available at https:// www.themethodcase.com/wp-content/ uploads/2015/04/Rimma-Tchilingarian-Colour-Vases-11.png (Accessed 07/03/20)
Fig. 7 - Hella Jongerius colour catcher (Digital image) Available at http://www.jongeriuslab.com/work/breathing-colour-the-colour-catchers (Accessed 07/03/20) Fig. 8 - Ferm Living Ripple Glass (Digital image) Available at https://www.architonic.com/en/product/ferm-living-rippleglass/1480931 (Accessed 07/03/20) Fig. 9 - Marten Medbo Studio (Digital image) Available at https://www.residencemagazine.se/hemma-hos-doktor-lera-glas-marten-medbo/ (Accessed 07/03/20) Fig. 10 - Wolstenholme, Adam (Photograph) David Designs Furnniture (taken 04/02/20) Fig. 11 - Wolstenholme, Adam (Photograph) Minding Cork Furniture (taken 04/02/20) Fig. 12 - Wolstenholme, Adam (Photograph) David Designs Lighting (taken 04/02/20) Fig. 13 - Wolstenholme, Adam (Film photograph) Orby Artichture (taken 05/02/20)
H. Jongerius, 2017. Breathing Colour. Jongerius Lab. M. Liis, 2014. Design and Theory, Slow Design. Blogspot. R. Tchilingarian, 2015. Porcelain Study, Colour Vases. The Method Case.
Bibliography.
References.
A. Torp, 2017. Scandinavian Style at Home. Thames and Hudson.
My Residence Magazine, 2020. Publisher Arvinius, Orfeo Publishing.
Written and designed by Adam Wolstenholme.