With their roots in strong craft traditions, at the Swedish Edsbyn they have been making furniture for Sweden and the rest of the world since 1899. The brand announces two new pieces to their collection by Italian designer Luca Nichetto, the Eski and the Cup.
Eski
Edsbyn's rich history of manufacturing has come alive in the easy chair, Eski. The silhouette of the famous windsor chair Fanett is recognisable in the stitching of the upholstered seat – a seat made out of a new biomass foam which only lowers the environmental footprint, not the comfort. Swedish steel is used for the swivel base and four leg versions, while skis in solid oak turns it into a rocking chair as a homage to the past as producer of world renowned skis.
'Over the years I have worked with several heritage brands, respectfully exploring their historical archives to find products that contributed to their success. With Edsbyn, I found the version of the Fanett (1955) chair designed by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara, an icon in Scandinavian design history. This beautiful windsor chair can still be found across Sweden. So when I was asked to design an easy chair, I wanted to make it as ergonomic and elegant as possible, adding a small twist. I have used the recognisable angels of the windsor chair as a stitching pattern in the upholstered seat, symbolically linking the company's past with its evolving future,' says Nichetto.
'We developed Eski in different versions, featuring four legs, a swivel base and even a design on skis. I think the design process should be fun so why not make a beautiful rocking chair while also paying homage to Edsbyn's fascinating history as a producer of world renowned skis.'
Cup
Some like to savour a conversation and others like to keep it short, just like their coffee. Irrelevant of style and circumstances, Cup is a stool that accommodates all kind of breaks. This nomadic furniture, is built with a hollow cylinder in recycled cardboard and leftover material from Edsbyn's production. With a tactile metal handle in Swedish steel on the side, and an upholstered seat that can be combined in various colours, Cup is sure to add flavour to the room.
'I began by looking into where stools are most commonly used—near canteens, bars or cafés. I imagined people sitting, chatting during a break, realising these are "fika" moments, a cherished Swedish routine linked to coffee. To honour this, I scaled up the coffee cup, designing a metal handle resembling an ear attached to a cylinder with an upholstered seat. To make it even more playful, the colour choice could reflect how you take your coffee. Hopefully it offers users not just a pleasant break but also a smile,' says Nichetto.
More information:
Edsbyn
[email protected]
www.edsbyn.com