NORDIC g in Liv ISSUE NO.9 | OCTOBER 2015
Posters everywhere
One of our topselling categories are posters. And there is no wonder. Using posters is an easy way to change the mood of a room, without having to spend too much money. We get a lot of questions on how to mix and match posters to create nice gallery walls, and for this issue we’ve put together our top tips on how to get started. The interview in this issue is with talented designer Maja Lindberg, who created the most magical and wonderful illustrations. Read the full story on page 16. It is not all about posters. We are softening things up with lovely textiles, cushions and plaids - perfect for the colder fall season. Welcome, we hope you enjoy this issue. Thank you for reading, following and supporting us!
Maria Richardsson Founder and CEO of Nordic Design Collective
Ps. As always, we love to hear your what you think about our work! Tell us through social media or send us an e-mail. We want to hear it all - the good, the bad and the ugly.
CONTENT The secret of gallery walls
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Not only frames on a wall
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Fashion! Fashion! Fashion!
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Presenting: Magdalena Tyboni
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Meet the designer: Maja Lindberg 16 Trend: Soft Textiles
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Presenting: Bjerregarden
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A day in the life of: Matilda Svensson
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Nordic Living is a magazine created by Nordic Design Collective, all rights reserved. www.nordicdesigncollective.com | info@nordicdesigncollective.com
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of t e cr The se
GALLERY
WALLS
From top left: Leo scarf by Omkring Design, Shapes, by Wargstedt, Kotten tote bag by Jollygoodfellow, Corset by Linda Vagnelind, Nordic Design Collective Manifesto (available for free download).
GALLERY WALLS HAVE BEEN A HIT IN THE NORDICS FOR A WHILE, AS THEY CAN ADD MORE PERSONALITY TO YOUR ROOM WITH NO NEED TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY. IT’S ALL UP TO YOUR CREATIVITY AND THIS IS OUR BEST TIPS TO GET STARTED!! 1. COLLECT AND CURATE
First of all, select objects that you want to hang on the walls. You could compose your collection by using pages from magazines, posters, photos from travels, postcards, notes and even love letters, as long as they represent good memories and bring a nice feeling to your room. We recommend keeping the color scheme simple and using black or white frames to make your collection feel cohesive (remember that the images should stand out, not the frames).
2. PLAN YOUR WALL
Prepare by placing the frames on the floor below your wall, and position your frames. This will give you a good overview and makes it easy to try different layouts. Then the next step is to find a balance among colors, patterns, shapes and sizes.
3. LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE
In order to get a preview on how your gallery wall will look like, take some steps back to visualize your wall from a different angle. You can use tape and pencils to mark exactly where to hang the frames and compose shapes by using different objects. Now it’s time to use your creativity and start creating your gallery wall! Remember that there’s no right or wrong, so let your imagination flow and enjoy your new piece of art!
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THE ORGANIZED
CHAOS Hang your favorite piece in the center, and then arrange the other artwork around it. The idea is to have an organized chaos, so keep a few centimeters of distance among the pieces while you hang them. And it is ok to hang them in unusual heights as well, there is no rule that says that they need to be a certain height from the floor!
In order to not get it too chaotic, go with similar frames even though they are in different sizes. Or do the opposite! Go with different styles of frames (maybe from the local flea market) but keep a single colour scheme of the prints to keep the gallery wall less crazy.
From top left: Sleepy Fox by Adelina Mehmeti, Sov Gott by Forma Nova, Camping by Yrva, Friends Come In Different Shapes blue by Caro-Lines, The Happy Elephant by Anna Grundberg, Lay Eggs In Grandpa’s Beard by Christina Heitmann, ABC Pastel by Fröken Form, Party Animal Crocodile by Adelina Mehmeti, Monkey With Red Glasses by Ejvor, Peek-a-boo Cat by Forma Nova, Watermelon by Fröken Form, Bonjour Monsieur by Magdalena Tyboni, Bike Ride by Yrva.
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THE STRAIGHTFORWARD
GALLERYWALL If you are a bit more structured, go for frames in the same size and colour and hang them in a straight line. To underline the effect, choose posters with a similar theme and style. From left: Tropical by AnnaCarin Isaksson, Luxuriant by Details by M, Harsyra by Havsglas Sverige, Flamboyance by Details by M, The Lonely Cactus by AnnaCarin Isaksson.
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NOT ONLY FRAMES ON A WALL It doesn’t require frames on a wall to add art to your home. Put the frames on a shelf, place photos or postcards in a wooden photoblock or use a clipboard to make it even easier to replace them according to season or your mood.
Opposite page: Helvetica by POP, Lost In The Mist by Sofie Rolfsdotter. Above: Photoblocks in walnut by Sandy Stadelmann. Below left: Copenhagen Map and Hanger by Owl Streets. Below right: ABC postcard by jollygoodfellow, Harmony by Details by M.
ASHION! FASHION! FASH
From top left: Sunglasses by Eva Lestander, Runway One by Linda Vagnelind, Ballerina by Magdalena Tyboni, Red Head by Eva Lestander, Red Shoes by Lotta Larsdotter, Lady with big haircut by Magdalena Tyboni, Corset by Linda Vagnelind, State of mind No.3 by Anna Grundberg, Cloud Cuckoo Land by Linda Vagnelind, Naked by Texttavlor, Lady with pearls by Magdalena Tyboni, The Dress by Lotta Larsdotter, Yvonne by Eva Lestander, Mysterious Lips and Flower Head by Texttavlor, Delusional by Sofie Rolfsdotter, As a Sea Urchin by Anna Grundberg.
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HION! FASHION! FASHION Add a bit of glamour to any room with these fashion inspired posters!
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Presenting
MAGDALENA TYBONI From the north of Sweden, Magdalena Tybony is creating beautiful art in strictly black, white and shades of grey. But there is nothing strict about her artwork, by using ink and watercolour she adds a soft touch and makes her pieces come to life. Tell us about your background! My name is Magdalena Tyboni and I live and work in my hometown Skellefteå, Sweden. I have always had a great passion for art and design, drawing and free creation is a natural part of my daily life. I have worked with sales and studied art and decor, and have a serious love for furniture and interior design. I love to create exciting interior spaces and that interest often reflects in my artworks. I have had a thought about going ahead with the decor but has always fallen back to the free arts and drawing. What’s the story behind your brand? I have chosen to use my name as a trademark because everything i create is very personal and reflects me and my ideas. My art is expressed by the black&white monochromic style with some gradients of grey. To me, the monochromic expression gives a dynamic and calm feeling at the same time. Beginning each project with a pencil and a piece of paper, i complete the sketch with ink or watercolour to bring the piece alive. What inspires you to create? My inspiration comes from the surroundings and what i feel at the moment, and often
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I am inspired by magazines or beautiful pictures. Accepting challenges and trying new things inspires me and is a great motivator to create and finding new ways of my creation. What made you decide to start your own company, and what do you like most about it? I have always known that I someday would start my own business, and last year the time was right. The best thing about it , is that I make my own decisions and have full control and responsibility. It’s very inspiring to be able to work with my true passion and achieving response from my customers. What are your plans and dreams for the future? My future plans are to continue giving out my artworks , and also expanding into products that caters to homedecor. What the future brings we will see, but i will surely follow my heart.
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Meet the designer MAJALI DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION
“I WANT MY ILLUSTRATIONS TO TELL A STORY” Many are mesmerized by the magical and melancholic atmosphere in the art of Maja Lindberg, the artist behind Majali Design & Illustration. We went to meet with her in her studio in outside of Malmö in the south of Sweden. Text and photo: Maria Richardsson
It is easy to believe that she has been drawing and painting all her life when you look at her fantastic work, but she tells a very different story when we meet. “I actually started out as a ceramicist. We did some drawing in sketching during my school years, but other than that I don’t really have any formal training in art. I worked with pottery for 5 years but in the end it was too difficult to make a living from it” Maja says. At the time, she was really done with any art or craft and started to study IT and ended up working as an web editor
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for a few years. In 2005 she moved with her family to China. “My husband got a contract for a job, and we moved with him to Beijing for three years. It was very different from life in Sweden, even though we lived in a Swedish community, and spent most of the time with other Swedish expats. It was a nice experience, and it was great to spend a lot of time with our two kids”. Shortly after moving home to Sweden again, Maja started her own business. The plan was to work with clients, helping them with layout and design, but after adding her artwork to a few
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different online marketplaces things took another turn and today she is able to focus on her art and illustrations full time in her home studio. Most illustrations start out as black and white sketches and come to life in the coloring process, which is done all digital. “I can get really lost in my computer, totally focused on details like shadows and colors while listening to audio books”. Over the years, Maja has been invited to do several great projects in collaboration with different companies. “I have been very lucky from that perspective, as I really don’t like the selling part of having your own company” Maja says smiling. “I’m working with a British company who’s using my illustrations on products like wallets and notebooks, and I recently submitted my designs for stamps for Posten Åland. But the most exciting project still has to be the book written by Björn Ulvaeus! It was a very special project, since so many people has a relation to Abba, and it
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was the first book I illustrated. It is called The Little White Piano and is a children’s book that is exclusively sold at the Abba Museum in Stockholm”. There are still a few dream projects she would like to do. One of them is publishing the illustrated ABC-book that she recently sent out to a few publishers. Another dream is combining her background in ceramics with her illustrations and I’m sure that would make the most beautiful products. It sounds like a very exciting future, and we are looking forward to follow Maja during the coming years!
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Trend
SOFT TEXTILES A supereasy way to update your livingroom is a quick change of textiles like cushion covers, blankets or throws. Pastels to brighten your day, or darker colours to cozy up the darker season - both are equally trendy this fall!
Photo: Anja Wikén
From top left: Marble by How Are You, Bubbel by Noomi Spange, Cube Black by Camilla Edfors, Pinewood by Julia Floberg, Avocado throw by Simon Key Bertman, Luna Deco Yellow by Aperie, Feather Mint by By May, Estra Deco Granite by Aperie, Mountain LIne by By May, Dark Blue Drip Pillow by Bjerregarden, Peacock Dark Grey by Studio Kajsa Rolfsson, Mångfald Golden Ocher by Bulter/Lindgård, Wood Circles by Bjerregarden, Bloom Blanket Grey by Bloom Blanket, Budgies Off-white by Nadja Wedin Design, This Is a Plastic Bag by Julia Floberg, 68.150634,14.201546 by How Are You. Above: new wool blankets Ruter by Lina Johansson.
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Presenting
BJERREGARDEN A Danish textile designer, who turned graphic designer, who turned textile designer again! Meet Torben Bjerregard, the designer behind the brand BjerreGarden.
Tell us about your background! I live in Aarhus, Denmark with my family. I am educated as a textile designer, but has always worked as a graphic designer for the Danish textile industry. I have created major advertising campaigns, company logos and fashion catalogs.
What inspires you to create? I am deeply inspired by nature, and use it in my daily work. I want to contribute with experiences that bring Nature into a cultural perspective and at the same time create something that is local, honest and present.
What’s the story behind your products or brand? I have previously done some graphic posters for my customers. It felt natural for me to do a collection in my own name. I did that last summer 2014 and in September I made my own web shop. The process inspired me to transfer some of the designs into digital printing on textile... and then transformed into pillows.
What made you decide to start your own company, and what do you like most about it? I have always worked independently as a graphic designer. But I always dreamed to create my own stuff from scratch. I really want to add something new and better to this world!
Something was missing... but with my background as a design, it was easy to continue and translate my ideas into knitted pillows. On the internet I quickly contacted some old danish knitting mills. Actually, there are only few left in Denmark. In February 2015 I was ready with my first collection, and participated on the danish Formland fair for the first time. And so it started...
Therefore I have 100% focus on making all products organic, produce them locally and use material such as recycled paper and buttons. I use these three words are important in my communication: Responsible. Local. Crafted.
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A day in the life of
MATILDA SVENSSON The talented designer and illustrator Matilda Svensson is based in Malmö. She brought us behind the scenes for a day on our Instagram-account. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
07.40: Good morning! This is Matilda and today I’m in charge. It’s gonna be so much fun! But first - coffee!
09.17: I share office with other creative companies. The guy in the middle is my dog, friend and personal trainer - Elvis.
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10.01: I’ve got mail! New business cards with the same motif as one of my new prints this season, Gorgeous hair.
11.20: Painting Lingonberries and listening to Christmas music, where is this gonna end?
13.24: I’m thinking of making a floral pattern for one of my new products. Went to get some inspiration at the market.
16.42: Time to sign, number and pack some prints. This is a new comer - Light as a feather.
17.11: SILLEDILL, one of the first prints I ever made... Still a favorite.
Check out the work of Matilda Svensson in our store!
Thank you for following me here today, it was awesome!
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