Abigail Ahern at Formex Stockholm

Tuesday the twenty-first of August and the day for Formex opening in Stockholm. The first exhibit that greet you after entering is a dark green blackish camo covered tent type of installation, where the stand out color scheme is black and green hues. 

The guest Creator this season at Formex is my personal favorite with the the alliteration name you can not forget : Abigail Ahern

Abigail Ahern who has created the thematic exhibition in the Entrance Hall of the Formex interior fair is a well know name in the UK. Follow Abigail on Instagram 

Abigail Ahern´s internationally acclaimed interior style combines muted shades, unusual shapes (both new and old) greenery and faux botanicals. 

Abigail Ahern is according to Formex admired for her ability to test limits and draw on slightly darker palettes with masculine approaches, combining it all with designs that exude magic and mystique.

As Formex says : lean back and simply experience Abigail´s Wonderland. 

All photos are taken by me at the Abigail Aherns Entrance Exhibit at Formex August 2018 

I can not say how happy it makes me feel that the style of Abigail Ahern that not is the common Scandinavian style is not only by me considered the style of the times right now. 

This is so close to what I love as a designer on all levels apart from one thing. The faux botanicals...but you know what, there is a time and place for everything and I might even try some of the fake fern Abigail Ahern, just because you made me see that it looks so good. 

Stay in touch

Jimmy 

Sé Ini Archibong

Right next to Rossana Orlandi in Milano during the design week Sé is presenting the new collection IV created by designer Ini Archibong. 

I meet Ini right inside the door and he gives me a warm greeting and a generous tour of the furniture&ligthing collection created for Sé together with co-founder Pavlo Schatkleff. 

Ini has taken his inspiration for "Below the Heavens" from ideas of cosmology, the classical world and celestial harmony. The result is a  more down to earth collection of 11 objects than expected of which I show you my photos below.  

The Eos Table is a  cantilevered disc atop ceramic or lacquered base: akin to the sun rising over a horizon. "I wanted a top and base to interact like concentric ovals, giving a feeling of perpetual motion," says Ini.  

The Circle chair has a playful personality.  With a deep upholstered seat and harp-like back, "It provides character as well as comfort" says Ini. 

Collection IV took shape after Sé co-founder Pavlo Schatkleff approached Ini Archibong. Sensing that they shared values, Schtakleff and Archibong embarked on a design journey, visiting Sé's European manufacturers and developing their mutual sensibilities of the sumptuous and sculptural, merging fine materials - marble, brass and handmade glass. 

 "Our DNA matched", says Ini Archibong talking about his relationship with Sé co-founder Pavlo Schtakleff creating the "Below the Heavens" collection. "We spoke the same language"

One flight down the only light provided is coming from the 12 crystal lamps in the Moirai Chandelier   , described by Ini as a "constellation of clouds" Created by the glass technique of cold-working, it has three main families of shade, which can be combined in different configurations. With brass stem mounts they make for an illuminating conversation. 

Thank you Ini Archibong  for taking the time to show your Sé collection. 

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Jimmy 

Notorious Nendo in Milano

The long lines that formed by the excited design crowd waiting for Japanese studio Nendo which exhibition set in several tents, hung with all black textile interior, explore the relationship between people and objects with its Milan Design Week exhibition, which featured unconventionally designed everyday objects and my personal favorite :  alternatives to the traditional zipper.


The Forms of Movement exhibition posed the question whether everyday objects can conduct motion.Presented in Milan's Tortona district as part of the Superstudio venue, it showcased 10 designs that deal with the concept of movement.The furniture set below in white against the black backdrop are model furniture from 3-5 cm height. On the bottom of this post you see the same type of chair as the model but now in "normal" size.

A model set of Nendo furniture also seen as full size versions. 

Exploring techniques that traditionally are thought of being used for certain materials and see how they work in another setting.  Here using traditional basket weaving technique but with light metal. 

In Nendo´s  work with YKK zippers this astonishingly beautiful design emerged. 

The exhibit consists of 10 rooms divided by walls and black textile backdrop covering everything. We are led through the Nendo maze by graphic signs (se the bottom of the post) and each room contains a new aspect of working with  product design from the motion perspective. 

 Here is the full size version of the model from above where the design was first presented.

The graphic presentation of the exhbit is my favorite. The Nendo aesthetics at it´s best.  The bare minimal left to do the job of communicating their design philosophy.

If you are interested in seeing more of Nendo from the post when I see their exhibit at Holon Design museum in Tel Aviv

Stay cool and in touch

Jimmy


PS All photos by me. Please ask if you want to borrow DS

West coast love

Last year I was here at Getterön, Varberg at my family home from early spring. This year  I get to introduce Marcello to my father and  just made it down for the current heatwave. Marcello met mom in Stockholm when she came to show her suede clothes collection earlier in spring. 

I love this spot. If you are following me on Instagram you have seen this fav spot before. My Embrace original design for Jimsch by the  pond with a seatcushion of suede made for my own company Jimmy Schönning HEM

Mom offered home made Elderflower lemonad as we arrived. LOVE!  The scent from the sweet pea floating (in my Chemistry vase for Jimsch) reaches my nose before the elderflower taste reaches my tastebuds. My mother really knows what I like taste wise and spoils me. 

The little cottage where we spend our nights and maybe a siesta a warm day like this. 

The water lilies in the small pond never disappoints. 

 Post swim gathering at the natural stone sofa. Mom to the left. My brothers middle child, my nephew by her. The youngest of the three standing. My gorgeous sister in law next to my brother. Miss Morris on the ground cared for by Marcello. We are missing my bother´s teenage son and my father who probably is watching some incredibly important golf or soccer game on tv.

Not really warm for a brazilian but it feels good to cool off (at least after...)

Getting some sea solitude as i call it is the name of the game. Västra Getteröns Naturereserve next to the sea is unchanged from my childhood and is amazing to return to. 

A visit to Varberg Fortress is a must. 

Love this life. 

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Jimmy 

Millesgården the Little Italy of Stockholm

Stockholm city center has many good italian restaurants but no concentration of italian culture in one spot like Little Italy in Nyc for example . 

The biggest concentration of Italian culture in one spot in Stockholm is without doubt Millesgården. 
The home, studio & gardens of Olga and Carl Milles was made to feel like their own Italy. 

Nowadays they even have a museum with their name joined at the opposite side of the former entrance of this remarkable Italian cultural heritage overlooking the Stockholm water inlet from the heights of Lidingö

The lower terass was built during the 1950´s when Olga and Carl Milles had returned to Europe after 20 yeas living in the USA. They spent the winters in Rome and most summers at Millesgården

The lower terass was created with the Italian piazza as model. Carl Milles wanted an open square set in stone, purling fountains and room for lots of people. 

The red stone is a true Swedish find called Älvdalskvartsit. Olga and Carl Milles created a Little Italy their own personal way right here in Stockholm. 

The original entrance to the Millesgården estate. Nowadays the entrance is via the museum building. 

The Milles Poseidon staty (to the right) is nowadays the symbol of Gothenburg but here you find a smaller version. 

The studio of Olga and Carl Milles is a place I love to visit. Artist studio space at its best. You can rent the space for privat functions. Once i sang at a wedding  of close friends right here. Acompanied by a pianist on the grand piano. Will never forget their beautiful ceremony. 

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Find this funny hidden detail at one of the antique sculptures collected by Olga Milles. 

Find Olga Milles paintings as well as her collections of Italian antique sculptures. 

Fountains, sculptures  and creative waterways at magic Millesgården. 

Pillars collected from other buildings and reused in a new form is what makes Millesgården unique.

So by sightseeing at Lidingö you will not only get  a taste of the exquisite are art of both Milles Artists but a visit to Little Italy or even Villa Borghese of Stockholm as well.

Stay in touch

Jimmy

Moooi in Milano 2018

Moooi sofa fabric and wallpaper in the same more-is-more pattern. So not  a Scandi-design expression. Think that is what I love the most about Moooi. 

Milano offers more design during the week in April than what is humanly possible to see in 7 full-time viewing days. 

Moooi at Fuorisalone with the adress Via Savona 54 is a 100% must for me to experience and something I make sure I prioritize. 

The old factory building where Moooi has built up their world of interiors for years serves equal parts theatrical drama as it gives inspiration and information.

Naturally the venue used in Milan is for showing us the latest news that Moooi is previewing 2018. This year presented through the eyes of Megan Grehl. 

The wallcover collection is the result of the partnership with Belgic brand ARTE inspired by 10 newly discovered drawings of extinct animals made by talented artists from the past. Each pattern is inspired by the characteristics of one animal. 

The entire presentation of all furniture and deco at Moooi at via Savona in Milan is made against a black theatrical backdrop. 

There is a gallery with the extinct animals in frames with a golden edge. 

Moooi furniture still life.

Moooi type of four poster bed beauty showing off the pendant lamp. 

All white  floor lamp against the dramatic darkness that Moooi prefers. 

If my photos of the Moooi exhibit of 2018 in Milan has made you want to see the entire exhibit you can. Just click HERE and you will get a 360° tour made possible by Moooi. 

Stay in touch

Jimmy