Paid partnership
Last month I was invited to the Georg Jensen headquarters in Copenhagen. Excited is an understatement. I mean, Georg Jensen is the crème de la crème of Danish design! Founded by silversmith Georg Jensen in 1904, the design company has produced some of the most iconic Scandinavian design pieces of our time including the GRAPE Bowl 263B, Fish Dish 1026 and Bernadotte Thermo. Jewellery, cutlery, home decor items, and tableware are just a part of the many items handcrafted in the workshop in Denmark's capital city today. The reason for my visit? To meet the designer and discover the story behind the new Helix Collection.
The designer
Enjoying a fika (tea/ coffee break) is a simple pleasure in life. Swedish design duo Bernadotte and Kylberg wanted to create a new tea and coffee set which would elevate the occasion.
The pair had a deep appreciation and respect for the elegant functionality of Georg Jensen and heritage of Scandinavian design and they wanted to incorporate this into the design. Understated details, a strong sense of contemporary minimalism and functionality were an important factor.
"We wanted to look at tea and coffee drinking as a ritual. We were focused on the practical side, because at the end of the day you have to be able to pour. The set also needed to be well-balance and have an honest functionality." Oscar Kylberg.
They set about sketching a thermos jug, Bonbonniere, milk jug, tea pot and tray - today known as The Helix Collection.
The design duo delved into the Georg Jensen archives and felt inspired by the organic shapes of the iconic jewellery pieces such as Möbius and Infinity - which inspired the bold cultural shape of the tea and coffee pots.
They also spent countless hours perfecting the function of each piece. Today, the mirror polished stainless steel thermo jug keeps coffee warm for up to six hours (forget the coffee table, I need one of those on my desk!), while the drip-free tea pot has a double steel wall which ensures a warm cuppa for hours to come!
The workshop
In the Georg Jensen workshop (known as the Smithy) around 25 silversmiths can spend up to six months single-handedly hammering, smouldering and polishing silverware. Sometimes by the light of a candle - so very hyggeligt!
Once crafted the pieces are ready to be shipped to homes around the world. And I was lucky enough to be a recipient of the stainless-steel Helix Thermos jug and Helix Bonbonniere. As if I needed an excuse for a fikapaus...
My coffee table
Never one to shy away from a cup of coffee (and this has only accelerated since moving to Sweden) I was thrilled with my new set. It's also wonderful owning pieces with such a strong sense of design heritage.
I like the Helix Thermo Jug for its sleek, almost industrial pared-down design and also because it really is very practical! At times like this, it can keep my coffee warm for hours - and in summertime I can use it for iced tea (hard to imagine that right now, but I need to have faith that the warm weather will return!).
The sculptural and shiny Helix Bonbonniere is a multifunctional bowl with an ergonomic lid (one of those that feels nice to take on and off so you do it several times for no reason!). I love that it can be used as a sugar bowl, but also for sweets, chocolates or whatever else takes your fancy. Any guesses what I have in mind?!
Aren't they beautiful?
I'm curious - if the coffee stays warm for up to six hours, does that call for a six-hour coffee break - because the Christmas holidays are coming and I'm reading a great book....
The complete collection is available here.
Are you also ready to elevate your tea / coffee drinking ritual?!
Wishing you a lovely day friends!
Niki
This is a paid partnership with Georg Jensen, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.
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