Danish design brand MENU reveals new additions to their collection of furniture, lighting and home accessories. From soothing and expressive to bold and charismatic across a seamless mix of tactile fabrics and natural wood, here's a look at some of my favourites pieces.
Brasilia Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Anderssen & Voll
Scandinavian mid-century design aesthetics and Brasilian Modernism meet on the new Brasilia Lounge Chair and corresponding Ottoman, designed by Anderssen & Voll. Originally imagined for The Audo, the luxurious armchair-lounge chair hybrid offers unparalleled sitting comfort thanks to its robust frame and soft upholstery.
“The design was directly inspired by the mood at The Audo. There was something about the setting – wooden sculptures, calm ambience and welcoming colours – that made us think of more exotic variations of Modernism rather than our own familiar Scandinavian roots,” note designers Torbjørn Anderssen and Espen Voll.
Made using traditional joinery techniques, the wooden frame gives the chair personality by way of exaggerated armrests, cylindrical legs at the front and broad, wooden boards at the back. The cushioning seat and backrest add to the sense of ease, while the versatile footrest doubles as a seat for unexpected guests or a resting place for a newspaper or tray. Available in three wood options and a range of soft fabrics from MENU'S extensive range, both can be tailored to fit any setting – alone or together.
Interconnect Candle Holder by Colin King
New York-based stylist and designer Colin King has designed the Interconnect Candle Holder, a bold and illuminating centrepiece of exaggerated proportions. Providing a source of cosy candlelight characterised by its deceptively simple geometric form, the beautiful piece speaks volumes - with or without a candle - as a unique and sculptural work of art.
“As a stylist, I love the idea of a candle holder, but it always fell short through the lens of the camera. I started off with scale and knew I wanted to create something with a real presence. Something with expanse that can live on its own or with other objects,” says Colin King on his new design.
Interconnect Candle Holder is available in polished brass or painted steel.
Epoch Rack and Shelf by Nina Bruun
For their new collection MENU introduces two new products by Danish designer Nina Bruun. Defined by clean lines, intuitive function and innate beauty, the Epoch Clothes Rack works from the idea of concealing unsightly hangers and tags behind something beautiful. A minimally elegant update of the ubiquitous coat rack with a considered combination of gently rounded edges, warm wood and discreet functionality, it is characterised by soft bands of undulating wood that sit like sculptures on a wall. Referencing 1950s design aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship, Epoch is pure in both form and material. Available in natural or dark stained oak, it is carefully sized to fit both purpose and place.
The Epoch Shelf offers streamlined storage for spaces large and small. Improving and beautifying a well-known object with a wide band of wood, it is simple in both form and function. The space-saving wood veneer piece can be suspended alone or in rows of multiples. It features on the one side a deep shelf for everyday clutter and on the other a shelf on which to place decorative objects.
“The Epoch Collection is for still life displays, for everything we love to surround ourselves with – whether that’s objects or clothing – and to be used in personal and creative ways,” notes Bruun on the new collection.
Torso Portable Table Lamp by Krøyer-Sætter-Larsen
The new Torso Portable Table Lamp, designed for MENU by Krøyer-Sætter-Larsen, is a miniature version of their popular full-size design of the same name, which takes its design cues from childhood homes filled with objects shaped by the human hand. Petite and cosy, the diminutive design brings a sense of intimacy to tabletops, replacing the need for candles thanks to its soft, ambient light, adjustable to suit mood and requirement. At the tap of a finger, a brass button on the linen canvas shade effortlessly turns the light on and off, and a concealed USB charger at the base ensures easy charging – wherever it is used.
The lamps are available in Black, Sand and Ruby.
Hashira Collection by Norm Architects
Designed by Norm Architects and named after the Japanese word for column or pillar, this textile lamp is MENU’s take on the traditional Japanese rice paper lantern. Offered in floor, table, pendant and cluster iterations, the elegant series is updated with a new fabric shade. The raw and gossamer slub linen not only acts as a diffuser, projecting the light in multiple directions while creating a cosy, glare-free ambience, it also adds palpable appeal that enhances the softness of an interior – acoustically as well as tactually.
Ishninomaki AA Stool by Torafu Architects
A devastating earthquake in northeast Japan was the catalyst for a new, community-building initiative to empower individuals through DIY. In 2011, Ishinomaki Laboratory began helping the city rebuild itself through simple, DIY furniture workshops using available materials and skills. Taking the concept out into the wider world under the moniker Made in Local, MENU joins forces with the Japanese furniture maker and designer TORAFU ARCHITECTS to create the AA STOOL.
“Ishinomaki Laboratory is now more than just a brand which originated in a disaster-stricken area: it has become a model for small, local brands and ventures contributing to regional revitalisation. And now, through the Made in Local initiative, we can share with our partners around the world the significance, the uniqueness and even the fun of Made in Local, as well as the various lessons that can be drawn from our story. Ishinomaki Laboratory’s furniture is for everyone and everyday life,” says founder Keiji Ashizawa.
Produced in Denmark from locally grown Danish Douglas fir, the handcrafted stool is as simple as it is versatile. The flat-pack design features exposed screws and dimensional lumber, pushing the boundaries of do-it-yourself to create an innovative seat that uses materials effectively. The AA STOOL comes in a pack of two and is available in two sizes, the AA STOOL and AA HIGH STOOL. Each can be used individually or in combination to create a wider seat.
To see all of the new designs visit MENU.