Showing posts with label Copenhagen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Copenhagen. Show all posts

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Inspiring Icons/ Arne Jacobsen for SAS Royal Hotel

Room 606, Image courtesy of Phaidon

Left: Egg Chair and Foot Stool designed by Arne Jacobsen, 1956, Right: Room 606

Left: Room 606, The book by Phaidon, Right: Room 606 

Left: Room 606
Right: Shaker base Coffee Table, 1968, designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen as seen in this room

Left: The Drop Chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen, 1958, Right: Seen in Room 606

Left: Flatware designed by Arne Jacobsen, 1957, designed for the hotel
Right: Cylinder Series, Designed in the 1960's, Manufactured by Stelton used in the hotel.

Left: The Royal SAS as it was in the 1960's
Right, Clockwise: Pot chair in tan leather (the original was a green wool fabric) , designed in 1959,
Chair Series 3300, in black leather, designed in 1956, Swan sofa, designed in 1956, All produced by Fritz Hansen 

Details of Room 606, Images courtesy of Phaidon 

Left: An early wall sconce version of what has become known as the AJ light
Right: the Foyer as it was back in the 1960's

Left: Detail of entrance, Right: Room 606, Images courtesy of Phaidon

The Giraffe Chair, designed 1957, surrounded by Arne Jacobsen designed fabrics

If there was a ever a room I would love to stay in it would be Room 606, designed by Arne Jacobsen at The Royal SAS Hotel now known as The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel. Situated in Copenhagen, Denmark, The hotel was built between 1956-61. Known as one of Arne Jacobsen's masterpieces, It was the city’s first skyscraper, a vision in sea-green glass and steel. He designed every last bit of the hotel including wallpaper, textiles, doorknobs, cutlery, lamps and featured his highly celebrated Swan and Egg chairs as well as lesser know chairs such as the Giraffe that was featured in the dining room, the Drop chair that was featured in the cafe/ snack bar and the Pot chair featured in the indoor winter garden. 

I respond largely to the blue and green palette with it's wood accents in the Room 606 which is the only Arne Jacobsen designed room left in it's original state in the hotel. This room has inspired the colors I personally like to live with and has been a huge source of inspiration for Studio Marcus Hay in general. I have been lucky to visit the original hotel and like to check in on my regular visits to Copenhagen, I only wish I was able finance a hotel re haul that would bring it back to to it's original design, In it's day it would have been magnificent. 

There is an excellent book by Phaidon that is now available in soft back, It gives a detailed account of the project and Arne's vision. 



Sunday, July 14, 2013

Malmö/ Sweden

At the Moderna Museet, Malmo, Left: Smudge Up, 2009 by Finish artist Marianna Uutinen, Right: Inside the space
Photography: Marcus Hay

At the Moderna Museet, Malmo, The Munch Exhibit, Scandinavian Pain, Photography: Marcus Hay

At the Moderna Museet, Malmo, The Munch Exhibit, Scandinavian Pain, Photography: Marcus Hay
At the Moderna Museet, Malmo, The Munch Exhibit, Scandinavian Pain, Photography: Marcus Hay
The exterior of  Moderna Museet, Malmo, Photography: Marcus Hay

The interior of cafe at Moderna Museet, Malmo, Photography: Marcus Hay

The interior of shop and entrance at Moderna Museet Malmo, Photography: Marcus Hay

The locker room at  Moderna Museet Malmo, Photography: Marcus Hay

On the Streets, Malmo, Photography: Marcus Hay

On the Streets, Malmo, Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: On the Streets, Malmo, Right: Untitled, 2011 by Danish Artist Sergej Jensen, Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: On the Streets, Malmo,  Right: Inside of the Interior of a store, Photography: Marcus Hay

Taking the train across the Öresund Bridge from Copenhagen, Denmark to Malmö, Sweden is quite an amazing journeyThe bridge is the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe and connects the two major metropolitan areas, It is a beautiful way to see the two countries meet, When you get to the other side from Copenhagen to Malmö, you are greeted with a station that looks straight out of Bladerunner, Images of Swedish life are projected on the stations walls as you dismount the train, you feel like you are in a movie. 

Malmö was one of the earliest and most industrialized towns of Scandinavia, but it struggled with the adaptation to post-industrialism. Since the construction of the Öresund Bridge, Malmö has undergone a major transformation with impressive architectural developments, attracting new bio tech and IT companies, and particularly students through Malmö University.One of the newer buildings the Moderna Musett in Malmö is one of those buildings.

Built in 2009 in an old electrical factory, Tham & Videgård Arkitekter, the building Architects were entrusted with the task of creating the extension which could be seen as a building within a building, a contemporary addition within the existing shell. The shell is bright orange, almost neon and inside the color is carried through the shop/ cafe with a bright yellow cloakroom with lockers that have artists quotes inside. While we were there an exhibition featuring Norwegian Artist Edvard Munch, best known for his work The Scream. It was inside a barn that had been built inside the Museum, The barn had a bright pink neon sign that spelt Scandinavian Pain the title of the exhibition. To see such classic paintings exhibited in this new setting breathed new life into them, they felt liberated from your normal expectations of a Modern Art Gallery and the way these paintings are usually viewed, somehow it gave them a more everyday feel and the way the artist probably saw them. 

Visiting Malmö is defiantly worth it while in Copenhagen. 


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

More snippets of Copenhagen/ Summer 2013

Left: Copenhagen Building, Right: The city roofs from The Rundetaarn, Copenhagen,
Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Arne Jacobsen egg and swan chairs in black leather, first designed for the SAS Hotel, Copenhagen.
Right: Illustration by Henry McCausland commissioned by department store, Magasin
Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Montana Danish shelving system, Right: The interior of the round tower, The Rundetaarn, Copenhagen
Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Roses are everywhere around the city, shot in Christanhavn, Right: Chairs In store
Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: In store on Bredgade, Right: More roses in Christanhavn, Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Art Deco tower on bridge, Copenhagen, Montana Danish shelving system in store on Bredgade
Photography: Marcus Hay

At The Design Museum, Left: Bla Pram vase, 1993 by Karen Bennicke, Geometrisk studie object 1982, by Bretislav Novak, Right: Stol chair by Rud Thygsen, 1988, Photography: Marcus Hay

At The Design Museum, Left: VP Globe Light, 1970, by Verner Panton, Right: The Bow Chair by Grete Jalk, 1963
Photography: Marcus Hay

At The Design Museum, Left: Flower Pot pendant light, 1968,  by Verner Panton
Right: Looking in 1960's room at The Design Museum
Photography: Marcus Hay

At The Design Museum, Left: Finn Juhl chair with British fabric exhibit
Right: Tradskitsestol chair, 1985 by Anders Hermansen
Photography: Marcus Hay

At The Design Museum, Designs by Nanna Ditzel, 1960's, Photography: Marcus Hay

At The Design Museum, Left: Finn Juhl sofa with British Textile exhibit, Right: Chair by Finn Juhl, 1955
Photography: Marcus Hay


The city of Copenhagen continues to delight in so many ways, What I have really loved is reconnecting with the city and even going back to places I know I loved the last time around.

One such place is The Design Museum, Danmark. Here is a place rich with iconic pieces by the great Danish Designers such as  Verner Panton, Finn Juhl, Arne Jacobsen and Nanna Ditzel to name a few! I love the design of this museum which also boasts a great store and cafe, the best bit is you can take your lunch out into the sun drenched garden that is located in the middle of the complex. 

It was originally a hospital that got converted into a Museum in the 1920's. The museum houses the biggest library for design in Scandinavia. It also hosts a fully annotated and illustrated database of all furniture made in Denmark from 1900 to 2000.

Here in this post is also some of my wanderings around Copenhagen, With another week here I have many more updates from Denmark heading your way. 



Saturday, June 22, 2013

The Apartment/ Copenhagen, Denmark


The winding staircase leading up to The Apartment, Image courtesy of The Apartment


Left: Detail including 1960's Curtis Jere wall sculpture and Murano glass vase from Itlay, Right: Living room
Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Detail of room including McCollins Bryan tinted lens tables and Ludvig Pontoppidan Danish lambswool sofa,
Right: Living Room, Including 1950's Swedish dressing room chair, Photography: Marcus Hay

Right: Detail of Hans Wegner Flagline lounge chair, Left: 1950's Swedish daybed, Re upholstered in floral fabric
Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Hans Wegner Peacock chair, Right: Detail of wallpaper
Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Detail, Right: Dining Room, including 1970's Saarinen Tulip table with green marble top
Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: View of room, Including Thonet bentwood rocker, Right: Detail of room beyond
Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Hallway with vintage USA quilt and vintage Moroccan rug, Right: Scultpure
Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Detail of stairwell, Right: detail of Dining Room, with Curtis Jere wall sculpture
Photography: Marcus Hay

Taken from their website, Their inventory is clearly listed and pictured, Image courtesy of The Apartment

Images courtesy of The Apartment


Located in Christianshavn, A really beautiful part of Copenhagen along the waterside is an apartment that is called simply The Apartment, Perhaps like many industry peoples real apartments it could be seen as a showcase of someone with amazing style and a keen sense of color and imagination, but this is actually a whole lot more than that!

Walking up timber scented stairs and a beautiful winding staircase you enter a world that belongs to Founder Tina Seidenfaden Busck and her business partner, Pernille Hornhaver. Opened just a year ago.

The Apartment is a liaison of 20th century furniture, contemporary art and design, showcased in the elegant setting of an 18th century Copenhagen apartment, It’s purpose is to showcase and sell works by renowned, international artists with the idea of taking apartment envy to a new level: it’s set up to feel like a private home. ‘‘Every piece I would own myself,’’ has said Tina.

As indicated on their website, theapartment.dk, Both Tina and Pernille have had extensive experience in selecting unique pieces of furniture and implementing these in interior design. Thus they work with a fundamental understanding of how to make beautiful objects resonate with each other and create spaces rich with visual and emotional value.

It is such an amazing concept and one that makes me feel instantly at home. To be able to see pieces in situ and set up as if someone had just stepped out of the room, gives you you an instant hit of how to apply any of the desired pieces work to your own scheme. The Apartment changes out monthly as pieces are sold, In collaboration with other well known designers. Watch as The Apartment switches out and transforms overnight, On a smaller scale, it feels kind of like my own apartment really, as anyone that knows me well would confirm. I think many of us who love that process of changing spaces would agree this is the ultimate playground. 

Thanks so much to Helle for showing me around this great space. 

It has been written up and received much applause by The New York Times T Magazine, Case Da Abitare and Elle Decoration DK.

They are open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10 to 4 pm, Or by appointment.
The Apartment, Overgaden Neden Vandt, 33, 2nd floor, 1414, Copenhagen, +45 25 37 04 02

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Copenhagen. Denmark/ Summer, June 2013


Left: The Danish flags fly high, Right: In the store, Secher Fine Art & Design, On Bredgade
Photography: Marcus Hay


Left: DLM tables at Hay, Right: Street Sign, Walk this way! Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Ceramic pieces at Hay, Right: A room with a view at Hay, Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Pillows at Hay, Right: Hay, Photography: Marcus Hay

Both at Hay, AAL92 lounge chair AA003 ottoman, Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Detail of name tags at Hay, Right: Muuto at Illums Bolighus, Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Merchandise at Illums Bolighus, Right: On the Street, Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: On the Street, Right: Houses at Illums Bolighus, Photography: Marcus Hay 

Left: At Hay, J110 chair in red, Bella tables, Right: On the Street in Frederiksberg, Photography: Marcus Hay 

Left: Wishbone chair In Store on Bredgade, Right:Still life at Hay, Photography: Marcus Hay 

Left: Water feature in town, Right: Gym in Hellerup, Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Park in Hellerup, Right: Hermes windows in town, Copenhagen, Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Beachside at Hellerup, Right: Blue bicycle in town, Copenhagen, Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Fishmonger at Frederiksberg, Beachside at Hellerup, Photography: Marcus Hay


Left: Strawberry Season, Right: Cute signage in Fredriksberg, Photography: Marcus Hay

Left: Lighting display at Illums, Right: Illums Bolighus windows, Photography: Marcus Hay


I have only been in Copenhagen, Denmark 5 days and I have already fallen in love with it’s natural charm all over again, This is my 3rd time here, such a great city. Of course for someone who loves and works in design industry, It is like visiting the Design Motherland. I often wonder if most Danes who grew up with these surroundings really understand our over-gushiness and ever so slight misty eyes when experiencing first hand it’s naturalness and the quiet intensity of the design spirit that lives here in Denmark.It's amazing how here it's just a way of life integrated so smoothly its seamless.

That spirit seems evident in every step around Copenhagen, Of course most of my personal steps took me into stores I have been looking forward to seeing for a long time. At DWR, One of my client’s, We get to work first hand with wonderful products from Muuto, Hay, Finn Juhl, Arne Jacobsen and Normann Copenhagen to name a few.

In Hellerup where I am staying, You can smell the sea air, birds are tweeting, families are taking dinner on their terraces, kids are laughing, It's like living in a beautiful fairytale, A far cry from my noisy block back in NYC. 

The flagship Hay Store here in Copenhagen is amazing and I always love visiting the space to see all their products I know well in one place. In Illums Department Store, There is the most amazing collection of home wares, As does Illums Bolighus (Not to be confused with each other) Not to mention the great Flea Markets I have visited and the stores, I will post more of my finds at a later date, For now, It's time again to hit the streets.