Getting cozy with Danish Design
Hygge
-
Finn Juhl
Photo © Finn Juhls Hus
-
Juhl Chair
Photo © Jackson Design
-
Hans Wegner
Photo © Fritz Hansen
-
Wegner's Papa Bear Chair
Courtesy of Jacksons
-
Pair of Low Lounge Chairs by Wegner
Courtesy of Frank Landau
-
Arne Jacobsen
Photo © Fritz Hansen
-
Set of 6 Grand Prix Chairs by Jacobsen
Courtesy of Ampersand House
-
Børge Mogensen
Photo © FREDERICIA
-
Mogensen Chair
Photo © Jackson Design
-
Nanna Ditzel
Photo © Thomas Ibsen
-
Nanna Ditzel Hanging Chair
Photo © Nanna Ditzel
When I think about Danish design, I always remember a term I learned in graduate school: hygge. Pronounced a bit like “hooga,” it’s an untranslatable concept (of Norwegian origin) that’s believed to be a cultural response to the low light and extreme cold of the Nordic lands. In short, if you can’t enjoy the outdoors, then it only makes sense to ensure your indoors are as inviting, comfortable, and functional as possible.
To get more insight, I reached out to my former professor of Scandinavian Design, Christopher Mount (who founded his eponymous gallery in L.A. in 2014) to see if he could tell us more. Here’s what he had to say.
Finn Juhl, Hans Wegner, Børge Mogensen, Arne Jacobsen, and Nanna Ditzel—has a kind of warm, soft, and 'hyggely' quality.”
“The best description I can think of is the warm and cozy feeling you would have while lounging on a comfortable couch, reading a good book, and drinking a hot beverage, snuggled with a loved one on a wet, cold day. It means to be contentedly cozy, in a kind of simple and romantic way. All of the classic, midcentury Danish furniture—byAll of the designers and architects named by Mount possessed a striking ability to blend sophisticated aesthetics with traditional craftsmanship; their forms always seem to welcome and embrace you while maintaining an exciting sculptural form.
In an ode to the contentedly cozy—and all the understated sophistication and over-the-top craftsmanship to come out of Denmark—click through the slideshow to see some of our favorite Danish masters of hygge.
-
Text by
-
Wava Carpenter
After studying Design History, Wava has worn many hats in support of design culture: teaching design studies, curating exhibitions, overseeing commissions, organizing talks, writing articles—all of which informs her work now as Pamono’s Editor-in-Chief.
-
More to Love
Teak High Dresser with Oak Base by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbler, 1951
High-Backed Chair by Børge Mogensen for Federicia, 1960s
Model 2522 2 Seater Sofas by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia, Set of 2
BM 2254 Easy Chair by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik, 1950s
Coupé Sofa by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Furniture, 1960s
2208 Leather Sofa by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Furniture, 1970s
2218 Sofa by Borge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik, 1959
Teak and Metal Desk by Børge Mogensen for Søborgs Møbelfabrik, 1952
C35 Shaker Dining Table by Børge Mogensen for F.D.B. Furniture
BM 2213 Sofa by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik, 1960s
Dining Table by Børge Mogensen
Bookcase with Sliding Doors by Børge Mogensen
Leather Sofa by Börge Mogensen for Fredericia Möbelfabrik
4389 Side Chair by Borge Mogensen for Fritz Hansen
BM61 Chairs by Borge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik, Set of 4
BM 2193 Kupé Sofa by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Furniture
Spherical F192 Vase from Jørgen Mogensen