It’s that time of the month – time for my latest ‘On My Radar’ post. Here I’ve rounded up a selection of new furniture launches and simple homeware finds that have caught my eye in the last month or so. There’s everything from mirrored lighting and portable lamps to sculptural kitchen fronts and designer high chairs.
New Kori Collection by TAF Studio for Artek
At Stockholm Design Week last month Artek unveiled a new collection of lighting by Stockholm-based TAF Studio. Named after the Finnish word for ‘basket’, the Kori collection comprises five lights that each have a die-cast ‘light basket’ at their centre that is made from 100% recycled aluminium. This core element helps create a soft, diffused light, whether used as a pendant light, floor lamp or table light.
The collection comes in a matt white powder coated finish, or if you’re feeling brave, a bright matte orange for the floor and table lamps. The design fits a universal E27 bulb, which can be replaced when needed.
Available now, see the collection here. Images: Mikko Ryhänen
Bruta kitchen by Superfront x Raw Edges
I’ve seen a move in kitchen design away from slender forms and skinny lines, to chunky shapes and sculptural designs you might not otherwise normally find in a standard kitchen setting. One such take is the new Bruta collection, a collaboration between Swedish brand Superfront and London-based design studio Raw Edges. The inspiration for them was Brutalist architecture and together they’ve created three different modules that can be used on IKEA kitchens, including: base cabinets, wall cabinets and tall cabinets.
The centrepiece of the tactile, minimalist collection is arguably the handle design. You can choose hammered, matte black, cast aluminium bar handles or a series of integrated sculptural shapes that become part of the kitchen front. The colour palette is equally rich and earthy, with a series of seven muted tones, from Moss green and Concrete beige to Clay and terracotta toned Brick. The oak veneers for the tall cabinets have even been hand-brushed to give a unique texture to the grained wood.
Discover the collection here. Images: Mike Karlsson Lundgren
New Hana vases by Krøyer-Sætter-Lassen for MENU
Ever wanted to get into the Japanese art of Ikebana (the art of flower arranging), but could never get your stems to stay in the right place? Enter Menu’s new Hana vases, designed by Krøyer-Sætter-Lassen. Available in three sizes, these stoneware vases feature a removable ceramic flower ‘frog’ – or ‘kenzan’ – that sits within the vase, helping to hold stems upright and aid you in creating an effortlessly beautiful, harmonious display. The Hana vases come in umber, ochre or ashen.
From €55, preorder for July 2023
The Tramonti collection by Maria Scarpulla for valerie_objects
I spotted this beautiful new launch at Maison&Objet in Paris. Belgian-based designers Maria Scarpulla and Jori Hernalsteen have created a range of minimalist wall lights for Belgian brand valerie_objects. The Tramonti collection started life as a series of painted shapes, which were later translated into the form of the light fittings. The name of the collection comes from the Italian word from sunset, helping describe the soft light that emanates from the simplistic, graphic shapes. The polished stainless steel one in particular looks like a lone planet, its shiny surface lending itself a mirror-like quality.
The Tramonti collection comes in five different shapes and is available in five different colours – deep blue, dark red, off-white, dark green and black.
See the collection here. Images courtesy valerie_objects
The new Brolly Portable Table Lamp from New Works
Portable lights are all the rage and this one definitely sets the standard for elegance. The new Brolly portable table lamp by New Works is made of brushed steel and features a simple, refined silhouette that will fit into a multitude of settings, whether used on a shelf, at the dining table or in a hallway.
The lamp itself came out of an in-depth study into the possibilities for portable lamps. Knut Bendik Humlevik, the creative director of New Works, conceived a design that was tall enough to offer enough downwards-facing light, but petite enough to not take up too much space wherever its positioned. Available with a linen or black shade, the lamp features a three-step dimmer and a magnetic charger that sits discretely under the lamp base.
Available from March, priced €249. Images courtesy New Works
Oaklings unveils first collection of furniture
Do you have kids but don’t want to compromise on your style at home? Let me introduce you to Oaklings – a new Danish design brand for children. Inspired by classic Danish design, Oaklings creates children’s furniture that is simple, thoughtful and timeless – the type of pieces that can be treasured for generations. Founded in 2020 by Anja Pajor, the brand wanted to give the same focus on aesthetics to children’s furniture as has been given to countless furniture designs for adults.
Oaklings’ launch collection comprises three oak chairs – Saga, Smilla and Storm – created by Danish designer Nina Bruun. The designs are each characterised by a curved backrest that is steam-bent and assembled using handmade joints. The Saga high chair features a removable t-shaped cross bar and adjustable footrest, helping the chair grow with the child until the age of five or six. The Smilla toddler chair is a low chair with a small tabletop for eating, playing or drawing on, while the Storm kid’s chair has all the hallmarks of a classic Danish design, just in mini.
All the chairs are made of FSC-certified European oak and come in three finishes: oak, smoked oak, and black-stained oak. Oaklings also offer a leather cushion in a range of colours to complete the look.
Images courtesy Oaklings
