Stockholm offers great design and artwork shops and galleries. The Scandinavian functionalist artwork style, with its pure shapes and colors, dates back to architect Gunnar Asplund and the 30’s, setting a “quality of life” standard for the people. It was further developed by 50’s designer and architect Bruno Mathsson. In the 80’s, Jonas Bohlin and Thomas Sandell emerged, dedicated to clean-lined aesthetics. Today, Swedish homes are synonymous with Ikea, which helped several great designers. Find out where to go in Stockholm...
1. Svenskt Tenn
When lifestyle magazine Wallpaper visits Sweden, this is where they will end up: in the interior design store where designer Josef Frank worked for more than thirty years. The world was aghast at his modernist furniture and floral patterns in the 20’s. Today they are eagerly sought-after collectors’ items and are presented together with other design collections.
Location: Strandvägen 5 A, Stockholm. Phone: 6 70 16 00.
2. R.O.O.M.
Exclusively designed chairs in classic wood have become the trademark output of this Swedish interior design chain. This former industrial estate harbours about a dozen inspirational rooms for all tastes, as well as a big department for designer textiles, and a restaurant for shoppers.
Location: Alströmergatan 20, Stockholm. Phone: 6 92 50 00.
3. Nordiska galleriet
Verner Panton’s plastic chair, Le Corbusier’s black leather couch, Alvar Aalto’s Savoy vase – at the Nordiska galleriet you will find the best architect-designed furniture from Scandinavia and the rest of the world. At Stockholm's Riddargatan 20 around the corner, you’ll find their branch devoted exclusively to beds.
Location: Nybrogatan 11, Stockholm. Phone: 4 42 83 60.
4. Asplund
Asplund offers Nordic glass from Iittala and Skruf glassworks, furniture by designers Jonas Bohlin and Thomas Sandell from Sweden, as well as international hotshots like Tom Dixon and Jasper Morrison. The selection here is outstanding and provides for every taste.
Location: Sibyllegatan 31, Stockholm. Phone: 6 62 52 84.
5. Stockholm Modern
Here you will find carefully selected 20th century design in a store with a wide range of opportunities for bargains. The assortment of Stockholm Modern is continually updated by owner Christian Björk, so you see different things each time you visit.
Location: Karlavägen 26, Stockholm. Phone: 10 14 13.
