My Visit To Muuto in Copenhagen
Hello everyone, this is Emilie, I usually write Playing With Food for decor8 but this time, I'm doing something a little different for you. Last week, Holly was invited to Copenhagen because Muuto presented their latest collection. She wasn't able to attend so she sent me as her reporter instead and so I'm here to give you my report. Located on the top floor (under the roof) of a beautiful building in the heart of Copenhagen, Muuto is both a showroom and office space where their team works. It's paradise!
For one day, I was given the opportunity to explore this creative brand and its spirit. Founded in 2006 by Peter Bonnén and Kristian Byrge, they are now a team of 35 people working at this location shown in central Copenhagen (but with many more virtual teammates!). But Muuto, what is it? Muuto is primarily a Nordic and Scandinavian brand that designs and manufactures furniture, lighting and other small objects with a single mindset: GOOD DESIGN. Their main material is wood. Tables, chairs, new vessels (which consist of a piece of wood and glass), wall dots ... Wood is the center of their creativity.
Despite a range of recognizable color, Muuto is not fixed and allows for creativity to each designer to offer new colors, shapes, objects. It's a real creative and collaborative work environment, an exchange. The mantra of Muuto is: Be pro active in the design process and work in excellent conditions for successful collaborations.
Kristian and Pete, the founders, were not at all predestined to work in design. Training "commercial" (strategic management for Kristian and Economics for Pete) the field of a creative was not initially in the program. But their passion for architecture, supplies, design, brought them to work with designers and to develop Muuto. In fact, they knew immediately that they enjoyed to be surrounded by creative minds and designers. Their focus? Working with only Scandinavian designers to keep the spirit of the brand. All products are not exactly from the same place either, they know how to use the skills of each Scandinavian country to choose the best products for their line.
Their inspiration? To become THE "new" design in Scandinavian. I'd say they are already a success! The Scandinavian design very popular 50-60 years begins to turn forward to give way to this new generation. Muuto philosophy could be summed up by their democratic design. Their furniture design often designated by three creations around the same ideas: basic, elaborate, inventive. Kristian said that it's much like your wardrobe -- you still need basic black jeans and a white tee shirt, then one more elaborate unique piece. It is the same with the Muuto collection!
Currently being sold in over 100 stores globally, Muuto extends its notoriety worldwide. What are their bestsellers? The dots coat hooks, available in 10 colors...
The E27 lights... Available in 11 colors!
... The studio pendant lamp, available in 5 colors.
And the Around table available in 2 different sizes and 6 different colors/finishes.
What's new? This incredible chair in gray, natural and black...
... And these vessels designed by Thomas Bentzen.
Thank you Muuto (and Holly!) for giving me a lovely trip to Copenhagen to explore this collection and for the extra "free" day that I had to explore your beautiful city. What do you think about Mutto? Do you own any of their pieces? - Emilie
(images/text: emilie gupta)