Today was the opening of
Formex Spring 2010, a big trade show for design, decorating and toys here in Stockholm. I was there, of course! I didn't make it through the whole fair area today because I had Lo with me and she didn't really enjoy all the impressions with stuff and people everywhere, so we took it kind of slow. But I plan on going back tomorrow! I have lots of news to share with you, but I'd like to start with showing you some pictures from the curated exhibitions and specially designed cafés. I always like these the best anyways...
These first four photos are from the Handmade exhibit created by designer Synnöve Mork together with K.H.V.C; The Swedish Arts and Craft Centre.
“The exhibition is based on things that have been made by hand. The focus is on the power of the hand, the physical and the beautiful. But it’s not just about beautiful things; there is also humour, folklore and colourfulness, such as crocheted messages and embroidered stories. The craftsmanship embodies both pleasure and attitude,” says Synnöve Mork.
The exhibition includes material such as birch-bark, woodchip, iron, glass, ceramics, textiles and wood; classic handicraft materials, but in a different context. Gossamer versus thick, twisted material; the roughly-hewn contrasting with the ornate.
These two pictures above are from the Creative Flow exhibition which is really the theme of the whole fair this year. I copied the whole text below from the Formex site, because I think it is so inspiring and well written:
"We’re embracing the workrooms and studios of designers and creators – settings that get ideas moving and really fire the imagination. It could be industrial premises, converted shops or loft spaces, the gardener’s greenhouse, the author's den or the artist's studio.
It’s about exciting, inspiring spaces; places where people go to create. Or where creativity and living space merge. The kitchen table becomes a sewing corner; the living room a painter’s studio. Sketches, notes, collages lend atmosphere to the interior decor. Natural, raw surfaces blend with bright colours and high finish. Upmarket designer items live alongside unusual jumble-sale bargains.
Recycled classics meet innovation and revolutionary ideas. Shelves that are heavy with books. Tables strewn with decorative piles of coffee table books. Walls covered with frames. Artist paraphernalia such as brushes, cutting tools, frames, penknives, desk tidies, canvases are interesting product groups, as are gardening tools and products from industry.
The natural feeling is mixed with cast-offs; things that used to be thrown out are transformed into something new.
Textiles and patterns are important, particularly graphic and organic patterns. Art has recently been given an increasing amount of attention in interior décor, both in terms of traditional paintings on the wall or perhaps a huge illustration direct on the wallpaper. Sculptures and purely decorative figurines are now reclaiming our homes. Individual, personal interior design has never been so important.
In the colour scheme, poppy primary colours meet muted natural colours. The feeling is sophisticated, but also very relaxed. The keywords are: Inventiveness, Ground-breaking, Sustainability, Creative environments, Graphic patterns and shapes from nature, Glossy basic colours + mellow earth colours."
If you are all still with me, I'd like to finish by showing some photos from the different cafés that were built and designed especially for the fair this year. The first is the
Young Design Lounge by designer
Jarl Fernaeus. The second pic is from
Buffet Urban Dining by designers Geir Oterkjaer and Maria Nordin. And the last two pics are from
Café Popup designed by Saša Antiç and Lo Bjurulf.
All photos were taken from Formex press image gallery
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