The danish designers that created the first New Danish Modern collection "class of 2009"
Once again, Normann Copenhagen sets new standards and combines tradition and innovation in a line with the best from the proud handcraft of the past together with a modern expression of the present. New Danish Modern is a line of courageous design which springs from the Danish design tradition, where quality and attention to detail are given high priority.
The line is designed by some of Denmark's best designers and produced exclusively in Denmark; respecting the idea of form in design and craftsmanship. The designers include Ole Jensen, Rikke Hagen, Jesper K. Thomsen, Søren Ulrik Petersen, Claydies, Peter Johansen & Thomas Bentzen, among others.
“We wish to pay a tribute to the proud craftsmanship traditions and make furniture which has an iconic status and is beautiful at every level of detail. The chosen designs are exclusively designed by Danish designers and produced in Denmark,” says Poul Madsen, CEO, Normann Copenhagen
“Over the years many really exciting designs have been shown to us. We have often been tempted to put them into production, but they did not fit in with our range, or it was otherwise impossible. But now is the time,” says Jan Andersen, CEO, Normann Copenhagen.
Over the years, Normann Copenhagen has developed a series of bold design products, but this is the first time that Norman Copenhagen has positioned itself as a furniture manufacturer.
The fundamental basis of New Danish Modern is furniture art, and therefore, the line will be available in smaller production runs.
Camping series designed by Jesper K. Thomsen
The exclusive Camping series has been designed by Jesper K. Thomsen, and consists of chairs, table, stool and daybed in moulded beech wood. Camping is part of New Danish Modern – Normann Copenhagen’s Danish furniture series, which combines traditional Danish crafts and manufacture with modern designs. The essence of Camping is its excellent craft that focuses on traditional cabinet making methods and finish.
The inspiration behind the series is the idea of leisure and togetherness – values that are often associated with camping. Camping brings the enjoyment of camping indoors, and has added quality and character to the overdimensioned interpretation of the familiar furniture.
Jesper K. Thomsen
Jesper K. Thomsen explains:
”The archetypical traditional camping equipment has been my inspiration. The design has a recognition factor that brings the thoughts over to leisure and togetherness, that many think are typical of camping. I like the thought of bringing outdoor pursuits indoors or, perhaps more correctly, freedom into the living room. At the same time, the icon, camping furniture, has been refined in my interpretation. Against all odds, I have been successful in making chairs and the daybed without frames beneath the seat, which makes part of its unique expression.”
Camping has a light and airy design, in which the moulded pieces interact in a strong and uniform construction. The series bears witness to skilled craft and good materials – quite simply. This is furniture that will be handed down through the generations.
Play by Jesper K. Thomsen
There is also room for children in Normann Copenhagen’s new series, New Danish Modern. Play is a series of quality children’s furniture designed by Jesper K. Thomsen. The series features a different and humoristic approach, consisting of table, bench, chair, board and a soapbox cart.
Play has arisen from the idea of play and building a child’s imagination. Jesper K. Thomsen has re-interpreted the classic soapbox cart to create a series of quality children’s furniture. The expression is random and home-made, with oblique lines, compound angles and such humorous details as the green projections contrasting with the clear yellow colour.
Jesper K. Thomsen explains:
”Children’s furniture must be for children, rather than small copies of adult furniture. I have designed a series of children’s furniture for both boys and girls that has a humorous approach. The soapbox cart is an icon for play and creation, making it a natural source of inspiration for me when designing furniture for children. To the extent that the soapbox cart is usually built in the garage by adults and children together, that is the emotion I want to portray in the furniture series. The concept for Play almost grew on its own. Just like a soapbox cart, Play will hopefully contribute to many hours play and discovery.”
Play is handmade and manufactured in Denmark in a local carpenter’s shop.
Hang designed by Rikke Hagen
Hang is a lamp designed by Rikke Hagen that combines form, function and aesthetics in an understated design. Hang is part of the New Danish Modern series, featuring Danish design and Danish manufacture. Its expression is approachable, its design classical.
Hang was inspired by soft retro shapes, making Hang into a classic design object that will suit most homes. In this way, it is timeless and characterised by the design traditions that we are so proud of in Denmark.
Rikke Hagen
Rikke Hagen explains:
When we talk about Danish design, we often talk about function, aesthetics and shape. It is exactly these characteristics that Hang is a good example of. Hang is very simple and is more functional than decorative. I think that this is liberating, because if the lamp can manage this alone it is perfect. It isn’t making a statement. It is what it is.” Hang is manufactured using traditional processes at a foundry in Amager. Its exterior has a gloss finish and a matt finish internally and is produced in black and white in two sizes. The lamp is supplied with energy saving bulbs.
Blueclay designed by Claydies
The decoration is new, the technology ancient and the result a sturdy and unique ceramic dish. Each dish is hand thrown in Denmark, and with its colourful decoration, Blueclay is a modern example of a classical and typical Nordic ceramic dish, which is ideal for both baking and decoration.
Claydies were inspired by ideal pottery art. The thought behind Blueclay was to use original decoration techniques, materials and design, as well as turning back to something original when making food from scratch. The dishes are decorated in wet layers with coloured glazing, using a special technique in which the colours are mixed together in a marble-like decoration that resembles the patterns that occur when you mix ingredients when cooking.
Claydies
Claydies explain:
”We have worked with local materials and Danish ceramics production for many years. We think that it is important to preserve the unique techniques, art and handicrafts in the ceramic profession, and create greater awareness of materials and what we surround ourselves with. London clay has been used for ceramics in Denmark for generations, and was a natural choice for a dish that wakes thoughts of country cooking and farmhouse kitchens.”
Blueclay is hand-thrown in three sizes by a Danish pottery. That is why no two dishes are identical – fortunately.
Memory and Collect designed by Ole Jensen
Sit yourself down comfortably and refresh your dearest memories when Normann Copenhagen introduces its armchair Memory and bookcase Collect – both designed by Ole Jensen. The two unique pieces of furniture are part of New Danish Modern – Normann Copenhagen’s Danish furniture collection, which combines traditional Danish crafts and manufacture with modern designs.
It is all about the pleasure of recognition. Collect is a bookcase that, with its oblique expression and spring-green colour has been designed for all lovers of good design who like edgy furniture. Use the bookcase as a framework for important things – things that awake good memories.
Memory is a warm and friendly armchair that makes time to sit and think. It is upholstered, and with its broad, square arms, it embraces you and invites you to sit down and relax completely.
Memory armchair
Collect bookcase
Ole Jensen
Ole Jensen explains:
”We all have special objects that refresh memories – things that have a meaning and create the pleasure of recognition – it could be anything from a football to a stone found on a walk on the beach. I wanted to design furniture that arouses immediate recognition in both design and use. ’Reversed perfection’, both items have an immediate freedom in manufacture and details. The bookcase has quite deliberately been put together badly, and the chair consists of patches as in a patchwork quilt, which gives them a somewhat home-made character, without allowing this to compromise their quality. This is furniture that fits well into all of the Normann Copenhagen’s New Danish Modern collection.”
Lean back in Memory and put your favourite objects on display in Collect.
Stakit designed by Thomas Bentz and Peter Johansen
Togetherness, the outdoor life and mobility form the essence behind Stakit – part of Normann Copenhagen’s New Danish Modern collection. Stakit has been designed by Thomas Bentzen and Peter Johansen, and is a mobile chair for outdoor use – created for design lovers.The idea behind Stakit was to create a Danish expression. Stakit, which is Danish for fence, is inspired by the picture of a typical Danish cottage garden with flagpole, garden and picket fence. In contrast with the function of a fence, which is something that divides, Stakit is meant as something that brings people together. Stakit has a humorous aspect and is a familiar symbol that has been made mobile and into something else – a completely different piece of outdoor furniture.
Peter Johansen &Thomas Bentzon
Thomas Bentzen explains:
”Stakit is a chair and not something that limits you. It is an invitation to sit in the park, on the grass, in the sand, wherever is best for you. Stakit is not divisive, but a place to gather around, because its better to all be on the same side than to sit on your own. Stakit allows you to decide where you hang out.”
Take Stakit under your arm and sit where you want in your garden, on the beach or on your allotment.
Little Claus and Big Claus designed by Søren Ulrik Petersen
Little Claus and Big Claus are a bench and stool designed by Søren Ulrik Petersen. Both the bench and the stool are extraordinarily plain in their design and expression, and have been manufactured using traditional joinery methods. Little Claus and Big Claus are part of New Danish Modern – Normann Copenhagen’s Danish furniture series, which combines traditional Danish crafts and manufacture with modern designs.
Søren Ulrik Pedersen’s background as a carpenter has given him an uncompromising attitude to design and materials. They are inspired by the old working furniture used in connection with handicrafts and production. Little Claus and Big Claus are characterised by their focus on their handicraft design, their intricate details, and they are furniture that is made to be used, create space and social interaction.
Søren Ulrik
Søren Ulrik Petersen explains:
”Sometimes design is very advanced and futuristic. I think that we need to surround ourselves with familiar and plain things, that also include design details. Little Claus and Big Claus remind me of a workbench and milking stool that are completely down-to-earth in their expression. I have taken their names from Hans Christian Andersen’s story, Little Claus and Big Claus, which has a good moral and recognition aspect, because you know that there are two of them, and they will, therefore always look after each other. I think that’s fun.”
Little Claus and Big Claus are multi-functional furniture for both children and adults. They have a mobility that makes them functional at whatever time you are at in your life, and they can be used in all rooms – from the bathroom to the kitchen.
