The Trend Report: 12 Design Details We Loved in Copenhagen

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June in Copenhagen is a visual feast. It’s strawberry season, and the elderflower is in bloom; it grows from sidewalk pots and adorns pastries. (I can attest to this, having consumed every pastry on offer while I was there last week.) The sun sets at 10 p.m. And for a few days around the solstice, the city is alive with 3daysofdesign, by far the coolest design festival of the year. The parks, courtyards, galleries, and canals brim with exhibits, long-table dinners, and design lovers celebrating summer.

What I think is remarkable about this design festival is its generosity: It’s free and open to all who come to Copenhagen, emphasizing connection over commerce, humanness over AI, and the idea that design is—or should be—for everyone.

On the heels of a packed three days (steps walked: 67,662) and more inspiration than fits in a post, here are 12 details I loved.

Photography as noted.

Taking Cues from the Past

Abundant-Casual Entertaining

the entertaining theme of this year: abundant simplicity/simple abundance. forg 18 — Above: The entertaining theme of this year: abundant simplicity/simple abundance. Forget fussy canapés: A big bowl of first-of-the-season strawberries, served with flatbread and fresh butter, is generous, casual, and inviting. Spotted here at Tekla’s exhibit, with strawberries served in an antique Scandinavian bentwood box…. Photograph by Annie Quigley.

hay at 3daysofdesign in copenhagen, photo by annie quigley 19

hay at 3daysofdesign in copenhagen, photo by annie quigley 20

Above: …and at Hay‘s exhibit on the Copenhagen canals, where trays of summer’s bounty—plums, cherries, and snap peas—were served with wine. Photographs by Annie Quigley.

The Moveable Kitchen, Two Ways

a kitchen is an investment, and we&#8\2\17;re happy to see that more compan 21 — Above: A kitchen is an investment, and we’re happy to see that more companies are designing them to be flexible as needs change. Just before I left for Copenhagen, we featured a new US kitchen co. with moveable components; in Copenhagen, I stumbled on a new-to-us Berlin-based company, Termino, makers of modular systems made of aluminum designed to grow with their owners. Photograph via Termino.

and the moveable, unfitted, super minimalist kitchen had a moment at frama& 22 — Above: And the moveable, unfitted, super-minimalist kitchen had a moment at Frama‘s “The Mechanics of Scent” exhibit, too, with wall-mounted sideboard and cart on wheels. Photograph via Frama.

Glass Lights

Stainless, Stainless, Stainless

the stainless trend shows no sign of slowing down, as evidenced by this playful 24 — Above: The stainless trend shows no sign of slowing down, as evidenced by this playful collaboration between longtime favorite Vipp and Barcelona-based Mesura, where a sunflower-yellow rug makes stainless sofas and cabinetry feel particularly fresh. Photograph via Vipp.

Sculptural Details

in dinesen&#8\2\16;s new showroom, i was taken by the sail like ceiling wit 25 — Above: In Dinesen‘s new showroom, I was taken by the sail-like ceiling with gently curved fabric by Kvadrat: a sculptural touch. Photograph via Dinesen.

Bath as Living Area

file under wish i made it to this: baina&#8\2\16;s &#8\2\20;the practic 26 — Above: File under Wish I Made It to This: Baina‘s “The Practice of Bathing” exhibit, where the bath is both “necessity and ceremony.” Kitchens have become more and more living room-like the past few years; now it’s time for the bath to follow suit. Photograph by Elizabeth Heltoft via Baina.

photograph by elizabeth heltoft via baina. 27 — Above: Photograph by Elizabeth Heltoft via Baina.

Watercolor Hues

the hue of the summer? ethereal blue green, spotted, for example, on a floral t 28 — Above: The hue of the summer? Ethereal blue-green, spotted, for example, on a floral Tired Man chair at Audo House (shown here). Photograph by Laura Alvarez, courtesy of Audo.

Lacquered Dining Tables

The Personalized Work Jacket

an unexpected discovery i am now obsessed with: workwear painted or embroidered 30 — Above: An unexpected discovery I am now obsessed with: workwear painted or embroidered with handwriting, as spotted here at Bergs Potter. Photograph via Bergs Potter.

Wiry Florals

spotted at audo house: wiry, wonky stems far cooler than a whole bouquet. photo 31 — Above: Spotted at Audo House: wiry, wonky stems far cooler than a whole bouquet. Photograph by Annie Quigley.

Foldable, Portable Design

at the exhibit by royal danish academy, student designer/makers displayed their 32 — Above: At the exhibit by Royal Danish Academy, student designer/makers displayed their take on the humble, versatile stool, created in two weeks as part of their school exchange in Egypt. The kicker? The stools would need to fit in a carry-on to bring home—so each folds, dissembles, or tucks away. Photograph by Matteo Bellomo.

For more Copenhagen coverage, browse our places to go.

And for new design details we’re eyeing, see:

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