Note This!

Note illustrated by Marco Menaballai. L-R: Kristoffer Fagerström, Alexis Holmqvist, Cristiano Pigazzini, Susanna Wåhlin, Johannes Carlström

Without a shadow of a doubt, the biggest thing to emerge from Stockholm Design Week this year was Note Design Studio. Slowly building their reputation over the last few years by staging their own Marginal Notes shows, this year they moved to an old light bulb factory and presented Note Open - a temporary studio and exhibition space .

We brought some friends with us to Stockholm this year and were ever so slightly excited to for all of us to have guided tour by Susanna and Cristiano, two fifths of Note. They had 8 new products on show, as well as pieces from previous Marginal Notes and their Bolt stool for new French brand La Chance (which just happens to have been awarded a Wallpaper* Design Award 2013).

Susanna Wåhlin demonstrating Vinge

Products ranged from lights - we may have mentioned the new Vinge for Örsjö once or twice before - to bike stands and bathroom sinks and even a prototype Boet bench for Mitab to accompany the Boet stool. The prototype was so new, it arrived just in time for the opening of the show, but too late for the brochure, so the image below will have to do for now.

Susanna is actually from the town of Örsjö and her family have a long history with Örsjö Belysning, so it seems fitting Note should design a piece for the brand. In fact, if you would like a lesson in the proper pronunciation of Örsjö, then watch Susanna's Style File interview with Wallpaper*.    

Note stand (and product design) for ZilenZio

Apart from the exhibition, Note's handiwork was in evidence all over the city - Vinge and their Teluria candelabra for Klong popped up at Glass Elephant, they not only designed the products but also the stand for ZilenZio (above) and they designed the Greenhouse exhibition. The layout for Greenhouse was based on baroque French gardens and instead of straight rows of boxy stands, rows were curved and some walls were removed to create an open atmosphere, where designers could meet and experience the show around them, rather than feeling they had to stay in their designated box. It also removed the intimidation visitors sometimes feel about stepping onto stands - they were on the stands before they even knew.

Greenhouse exhibition design concept. Image from stockholmfurniturelightfair.se

We said it last year, and we'll say it again: Note are definitely a name to watch. For more examples of their work, check out their website: www.notedesignstudio.se

Glass Elephant

Limited edition Sander table by Chris Martin for Massproductions

The bull of "Bull in a china shop" shop fame morphs into an elephant in the Swedish equivalent of the phrase. This impressive installation installation in the caves of Skeppsholmen island featured glass works being manipulated by sophisticated robots from ABB. Mixing crafts with industrial design and technology, the exhibition sought to "explore the characteristics of glass as material and muse, and tells a story about the meeting of contrasts". Plus these robots were far more engaging than the robots in Trafalgar Square for LDF 2010.

Designed by TAF Architects and featuring designers like Simon Klenell (whose glass pieces we recognised from LDF 2011), Chris Martin of Massproductions and our very own Vinge light by Note Design Studio for Örsjö, the sometimes cheeky robots almost stole the show. Almost. It's a credit to all the designers involved that the glass somehow managed to compete with the surreal location and the robots and still come out on top. 

Frigger Tactic pieces by Simon Klenell 

Bulb, Madras and Soapbubbles by Ann Wåhlström 

Vinge for Örsjö and Teluria for Klong by Note Design Studio

Mitab's MiStand at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2013

Mitab presented a new stand concept at the Stockholm Furniture Fair 2 weeks ago (how time flies). A variation on their successful "Stand On Your Own" concept, MiStand sees the responsibility passed to a young architect or designer to present their perception of the brand. This year, Jonas Wagell was selected and he responded in his characteristically colourful way. Primary colours sprang out from a soft grey background, catching your eye and attention.

New on the stand for 2013 was the Mute sofa by Joel Karlsson. A long time collaborator with Mitab (his products include Tweed, Shadow and Anywhere) Mute is a companion piece to the Stereo sofa. Featuring the same distinctive Button detail, Mute is a high back sofa for modern working. A private hub without the expense or restraints of partition walls! Mute is available as a 1, 2 or 3 seater with frame colour and upholstery of your choice.

Also on the stand was the Boet stool by Note Design Studio we launched at designjunction in September. What visitors to the stand didn't see was the new prototype Boet Bench - you had to visit Note's own Open show to see that. Fresh off the production line, just in time for the show opening, Boet Bench will be available later in the year. 

Boet Bench at Note Open 2013

Raster, the acoustic panel by Asshoff & Brogård, which launched last year, was shown in the new Leaf pattern. Raster can also be ordered with custom pattern and/or any colour you like.

For a complete tour of the stand, which included products like Risto, Cumulus and Highway Lounge, check out (and like) our Facebook album. 

Örsjö at the Northern Light Fair 2013

This time last year we said you should keep an eye on Note Design Studio, as their reputation was spreading fast. Twelve months later, they have designed the intriguing Vinge for Örsjö. Translating as "Wing", the solid brass vinge sits beneath a mouth-blown opal glass dome and rotates 180°, acting as a dimmer.

The simple exterior emphasises the wing and the sweeping movement of the wing directly affecting the light demonstrates Note's playful attitude. 

Available with black, white or red base, the wing can be ordered in a subtle matt brass finish, or powder-coated steel to match the base.

Jonas Bohlin is a long time collaborator with Örsjö. They have worked together on many bespoke pieces for his interior design projects, as well as pieces like Kvist in his signature raw copper. In 2012, Bohlin was commissioned to refurbish the interiors of Stadshuskӓllaren, the restaurant in Stockholm's City Hall and famous as the location of the Nobel Prize award dinners. A listed building, it was a tricky commission, but by working with selected craftspeople, he has brought the glamour and splendour back to this landmark.

Working with Örsjö, Bohlin created several new versions of Kvist and Star ranges - individual copper (or white) spots that can be ceiling or wall mounted, single pendants and large 9 arm circular pieces which can be wall or ceiling mounted or suspended as a pendant light. He even created a "reverse Kvist" floorlight, with branches sheltering the tables.

Overall, the theme of the stand for the Fair was brass, with old and new items shown for the first time in a beautifully soft matt brass finish - brushed and finished with a clear lacquer. Older pieces like Puck were renewed and Bornebusch dominated.

All in all a strong showing from Örsjö, with all the signs pointing to a positive year ahead. You can find further images of the stand on our Facebook page and please contact us if you would like a copy of the new brochure.