Events

Stockholm Furniture Fair

It’s time for the Stockholm Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair - the furniture and lighting industries’ top annual event. The world’s largest trade fair for Nordic design will be taking place at Stockholm International Fairs from 4-8 February. Some 750 exhibitors from 21 countries will be displaying the latest products within furniture, lighting and textiles for both the home and public environment.

This year is the 57th year in a row that the Stockholm Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair had been organised. The fair fills every corner of Stockholm International Fairs’ four halls, taking up a total exhibition space of just over 56,500 square metres. A total of 751 exhibitors are taking part, of which a hundred or so will be at the Northern Light Fair. Of the exhibitors, 669 come from the Nordic region and 82 from further afield.

- “We’re extremely happy that the fair is fully booked and that there’s such a high level of interest from our Nordic neighbours. The figures show that we are the biggest meeting place for Nordic design; 70 % of our foreign exhibitors come from Denmark, Finland and Norway,” says Cecilia Nyberg, Project Manager, Sales & Exhibition Management, Stockholm Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair.

This year’s Stockholm Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair has almost 170 new exhibitors, including Italian Moroso, Himolla from Germany, Theca from Denmark and Swedish lighting company Zero. And the fair is also welcoming kitchen manufacturers again, who will be displaying their latest products in Kitchen Area, which is held every other year. The kitchen exhibitors include Marbodal, Vedum and Kvänum.

Stockholm Design Week is also taking place alongside Stockholm Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair, with some fifty different events at various venues around town. All the week’s events and activities at the fair and exhibiting companies are presented in The Official Guide to Stockholm Design Week. This year we also have the new website www.stockholmdesignweek.com, which provides the latest information on all events, Stockholm tips and photos from mingles, as well as running commentaries from the week.

New features and exhibitions 2009:

This year’s Guest of Honour is Ineke Hans from the Netherlands. She has created a relaxation lounge at Stockholm International Fairs’ entrance square. It comprises two parts; one with an indoor feel, and another with an outdoor feel. This is the sixth year in a row that a top international guest has been invited to design a lounge at Stockholm Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair. Entrance Square, EH:01

In Greenhouse, the hall for independent designers and design schools, TAF Arkitektkontor has created a set resembling photographic backdrops. The focus is on highlighting the exhibitors and their products. TAF is run by Gabriella Gustafson and Mattias Ståhlbom. Hall V

Ung 7 is a travelling exhibition judged by a jury, which displays the best of young design talent. The exhibition is premiering in Greenhouse. This is the seventh Ung exhibition - Ung 7, and it is managed in a partnership between Svensk Form, Form/Design Center in Malmö, Riksutställningar and Stockholm Furniture Fair. Hall V, V02:30, opening 2.00 p.m. on 4 February

The 2009 Design Bar was created by design collective Camp Site. Their starting point was to highlight purposeful design and recycling. All the furniture has been created based on the needs of aid organisation the Red Cross, and after the fair the furniture will be donated to the organisation. East Entrance, C23:10, opening 3.00 p.m. on 4 February.

Design star Jens Fager is the man behind the design of Stockholm International Fairs’ Press Room. The theme was Embrace, encompassing reflection and calm. It is the second year in a row that a Swedish designer or group has designed the press room for the Stockholm Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair.

Interior décor stylist Lotta Agaton is responsible for My shop, a combined lighting and furniture exhibition aimed at providing retailers with inspiration, knowledge and practical tips on how they can develop their store concept. Hall B, B01:21

There is more of a knowledge-based content in this year’s fair, with over 40 talks being arranged. One of the speakers is world-famous trend analyst Li Edelkoort, whose talk is entitled “The Farm of the Future”, and international DAMn° Magazine will be hosting a design discussion featuring Ineke Hans, Eero Koivisto, Jens Fager and Mark Isitt and others. See separate programme for information on time and place for all talks.

The international network Architonic has arranged talks and designed an installation together with Swiss architects Gramazio & Kohler in the entrance square. EH:03

In the exhibition Textibel - Textiles as Furniture, the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås, the Textile Museum, Chalmers University, the School of Design and Crafts and the furniture and textile industry take on the concept of textiles in seating design. Mezzanine in Hall C, CE:02 and CE:08

Möbelriket, from Småland and Tibro Interiör from västra Götaland have a joint exhibition. Mezzanine in Hall C, CE:10 and CE:12

Ten members display their works at the Handicraft Centre stand. Swedish handicrafts for public environments are displayed through the works of Ingrid Bärndal.
Hall B, B04:21

TMF, the wood processing and furniture industries are working together with a university research team on the project Plusmöbler, which focuses on the demands of modern life. EH:06

Into Dutch Design is a cooperation project between the Dutch Embassy and Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions. A selection of exciting design items will be presented during the fair. Congress foyer, KN:10

Prize Giving SFF: The 2009 Nordic Design Prize, +1- Best in Show, Forum AID Prize 2009, Supplier of the Year, The Green Furniture Award and Mathsson Prize scholarship. See separate programme for time and place.

Prize Giving NLF: Markslöjd Light Prize, Light shop of the year awarded at the Northern Light Fair’s party on Friday evening.

The fair is only open to professional visitors; doors open to the general public as well on Sunday 8 February 2009.

© 2009 Dezziny.