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.
“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—by Finn Juhl, Hans Wegner, Børge Mogensen, Arne Jacobsen, and Nanna Ditzel—has a kind of warm, soft, and 'hyggely' quality.”
All 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
High-Backed Chair by Børge Mogensen for Federicia, 1960s
2254 Model Lounge Chair & 2248 Ottoman by Borge Mogensen
Mid Century Stool by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik, 1960s
Model 3242 Dining Chairs by Borge Mogensen for Fredericia, Set of 4
Danish Bookcase by Børge Mogensen for FDB, 1960s
Midcentury Side Tables by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbelfabrik, 1950s, Set of 2
C35 Shaker Dining Table by Børge Mogensen for F.D.B. Furniture
Rocking Chair by Finn Juhl for Pastoe
2203 Danish Leather Sofa by Borge Mogensen for Fredericia, 1960s
BM 2256 Easy Chairs by Borge Mogensen for Fredericia Furniture, Set of 2
Mid Century Wall Unit by Børge Mogensen for FDB, 1954
Spherical F192 Vase from Jørgen Mogensen
Bookcase by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbelfabrik, 1950s