Highlights from 3daysofdesign 2023

It’s that time of year when the eyes of international interiors enthusiasts turn north, as 3daysofdesign puts on a fresh extravaganza showcasing the best and newest innovations from the Nordic design community. Now in its 10th edition, the festival takes over Copenhagen’s showrooms, streets and studios for a celebration of exceptional design, featuring the most distinguished furniture and brands as well as those on-the-rise crafting extraordinary lighting, accessories and materials.

Trends? Not up here – the new northern pieces of 2023 are created to last a lifetime and to be sent through time down the generations. 3daysofdesign spotlighted exquisite making skills, rejoicing in material and texture while never forgetting sustainability. Brands also looked into themselves, honing in on their illustrious legacies and giving them respectful, contemporary updates. Here’s the Chaplins report on the coolest Nordic newness.

PK1 Chair, Carl Hansen & Søn

Revered for its beautiful approach to natural materials, Danish brand Carl Hansen & Søn introduce the PK1 Chair by Poul Kjærholm in woven paper cord. Originally designed in 1955, the lightweight and stackable seat contrasts the industrialism of its steel frame with an organic, durable, earth-friendly paper cord woven seat – comfort meeting minimalism. Each chair takes 15 hours and 180 metres of cord to intricately hand weave with a technique that is equally as attractive on both sides.

Fireplace Chair, House of Finn Juhl

Danish designer Finn Juhl’s beautiful Fireplace Chair is back after being out of production for 60 years. Originally created in 1946, the distinctive design was a much sought-after vintage classic across global auction houses, and is now happily available to all.

Exuding the designer’s philosophy for warmth and bringing people together, the chair is for fostering conversation within, as well as unwinding. Expertly crafted in Denmark, the chair showcases unparalleled making skill in its between-legs cross, along with its sensual timber frame.

Gubi Carmel Table by OeO Studio

The jewel of Gubi’s SS23 collection, the Carmel Table by OeO Studio, combines the organic with the manufactured and the playful with the precise. Inspired by the designers’ travels along the Pacific Coast, its show-stealing surface delivers a burst of vivid Californian colour and energy in high shine richly saturated Rock Red, Pacific Blue, Clam White or Midnight Black.

Launched in three sizes and varying heights, each table has a fun-loving, crafted feel which is contrasted by sturdy matt black steel legs.

Easy to move about and highly resistant to wear and tear as well as UV, liquids and general abrasions, the piece can live outside or in, designed to be positioned in friendly groups or alone as a standout feature.

Skagerak by Fritz Hansen - Tradition by Povl B. Eskildsen

Created with graphic simplicity, the timeless beauty of the Tradition modular seating series by Povl B. Eskildsen invites indoor and outdoor use through any season.

‘Tradition elaborates on traditional spindle furniture designs, drawing clear references to mid-century renditions of chairs,’ explains Eskildsen. ‘It looks to the Danish design tradition, fulfilling a function while looking visually appealing. At the same time, it draws on the way we seek to create personal spaces in furniture design, for rest and relaxation’.

Muuto Midst table by TAF Studio

Based around the simplified form of a column, the Midst table by Stockholm-based design and architecture practice TAF Studio invites connection and gathering. Crafted from matte solid oak or linoleum on a monolithic spun steel base in a high gloss finish, the table is honest and approachable, a place where there’s always room for one more. chaplins.co.uk