As is becoming a habit, our colleagues from smow spent mid-June in Copenhagen at 3daysofdesign. And as will come as no surprise, they are back enlivened not just by the charms of the Danish capital, but by that which they experienced during 3daysofdesign. Experiences they are very keen to share with yous all.......
The most important conclusion right away: Three days of design are inspiring, beautiful and incredibly packed – but above all: too short.
The city itself shows its most charming side in June, the design calendar is bursting with exciting events, and around every corner, small and large experiences await that resonate long afterward. This year six things in particular impressed us, and which ran like a common thread through our tour:
• Sensuality instead of a showroom, a true "house of the senses" at &Tradition: "Hi Lo" sofa and atmospheric berry tones
• Wild patterns: tiger, zebra, stripes – patterned upholstery fabrics, especially from Kvadrat & Dedar
• Re-editions that bring classics back in a contemporary way, such "Amanta" by Hay
• Pop-up restaurants with taste and style – for example, Fritz Hansen x Atelier September
• Newcomer style with star appeal – Gustaf Westman in the heart of Copenhagen
Hardly any other exhibition was as comprehensively staged as the one at &Tradition's headquarters. A curated tour spanning several floors led through rooms that were more than just product presentations: The new "Hi Lo" sofa welcomed guests with 70s charm, while a modular shelving system with hand-picked books created a contemplative atmosphere.
We repeatedly encountered patterned fabrics here – including the iconic tiger print, which looked surprisingly sophisticated in various settings. Particularly impressive was the wellness area, where fly chairs met delicate scents and warm lighting – multisensory in the best sense of the word. And then: the canteen. While the kitchen remained cold for the duration of the festival, the mere thought of a Michelin-starred chef cooking for the employees here every day spoke volumes about the appreciation that is practiced at &Tradition, both internally and above the rooftops of Copenhagen.
A trend that pervaded many of the brands visited was the use of patterned upholstery fabrics. Tiger, zebra, leopard, or fine stripes – usually on bold, saturated base colors – lent a new casualness to armchairs and sofas. Kvadrat and Dedar delivered the most striking designs, boldly combined but fitting surprisingly well into the otherwise pared-down Scandi setting. Whether at Vitra, Hem Frama, or &Tradition – the patterns gave minimalism a subtle, skillful break.
The future meets the past – and with style. While the design world is constantly reinventing itself, iconic pieces from past decades are celebrating their own comeback. The 3daysofdesign made it clear: reissues are not just a trend, but an expression of appreciation and timelessness. Two examples particularly impressed us: Hay revived a true 70s feeling with the new edition of Mario Bellini's "Amanta" – a modular lounge piece that, with its graphic design language, seems almost more contemporary today than it did back then. Equally impressive: Gubi brought Pierre Paulin's F300 Lounge Chair back into the spotlight. With its soft curves and sculptural structure, the chair fits seamlessly into modern interiors – a homage to 70s design, which today demands comfort, character, and personality more than ever. Reissues like these prove: good design doesn't fade – it just changes its context.
Pop-up restaurants and showrooms were more present than ever this year – and this one was perhaps the most charming: In the historic Orangery in King's Garden, Fritz Hansen, together with the cult café Atelier September and its head chef Frederik Bille Brahe, who also works as head chef at Copenhagen's Apollo Bar and Berlin's Sofi Bakery, staged a stylish, all-encompassing experience. Summer furniture under linen umbrellas, floral wallpaper behind the curtain, and a menu that transformed design into a multisensory experience.
Here, too, it became clear: design is more than a product—it's attitude, atmosphere, a moment. And yes, the colorful accents in the room perfectly matched this year's color palette, which repeatedly oscillated between fashion and interior design.
Swedish designer Gustaf Westman demonstrated that newcomers are no longer outsiders with his pop-up apartment show in the heart of Copenhagen. His chunky furniture pieces – playful, round, colorful – were positioned in a stylized living setting and attracted an international audience.
What began on Instagram became a true design event here: Between soft pastels, bright berry tones, and glossy surfaces, a look emerged that is as fashionable as it is suitable for interiors. The next major collaboration with IKEA is already on the horizon – and we suspect that color and joy will play a key role there as well.
One experience that brought several of these trends together for us was our visit to Muuto. The brand opened not only its showroom, but also its entire headquarters – including the roof terrace, which was transformed into a tranquil oasis with birdsong and lush greenery. Here, you could feel design in the best sense – understated, high-quality, and well-thought-out.
The color scheme, in particular, stuck with us: alongside the familiar Scandinavian soft gray, rich berry tones repeatedly appeared – a theme we encountered in many other locations. Lise Vester's new "Dream View Bench" was also on display, a sculptural piece of furniture that combines lightness with elegance – and, as a quiet star, perfectly suited the relaxed atmosphere on the roof. The fact that up-and-coming designers were also showcased here as part of a competition underscores the brand's claim: to shape the future, not just show it off.
With a wink and plenty of interaction, the staging of Verner Panton's design world demonstrated that design can also be fun. The Panthella vending machine, Panthella burger, and Panthella beer conveyor belt were more than just gimmicks – they made it clear that even icons can be reimagined with a wink. In keeping with this, the portable version of the lamp was shown in new colors – including a strong dark red that matched the ubiquitous berry tone theme wonderfully.
Particularly attractive: The new size and color palette of the Panthella Portable, which immediately captivated us. Light, atmospheric, iconic – a small designer light with a big impact.
Now for a creamy soft Danish ice cream!
