smaller objects: a new company by claesson koivisto rune

smaller objects: a new company by claesson koivisto rune
all images courtesy of smaller objects

in celebration of the 20th anniversary of swedish architecture and design studio claesson koivisto rune, mårten claesson, eero koivisto and ola rune officially launched smaller objects during the 2015 edition of stockholm design week. conceived as a series of small design products, the first collection consists of eight products; the ‘metropolis’ pillow,  ‘longboard’ serving tray, ‘marfa light’ garden torch, ‘stockholm new’ house numbers, ‘bisque’ tea light holder, ‘over easy’ chopping board, ‘cold coasters’, and ‘parsley, sage rosemary and thyme’ herb pots.

the longboard serving trays are a family of three small trays made in two-tone beechwood. the color-split is off-center and the trays are slightly different in size. the boards are created by fusing a natural and heat-treated piece of beech together. according to CKR, ‘using the same wood avoids strain on the joint that can result when using woods of different properties. heat-treatment is a method of enhancing wood’s moist durability, and a desired side effect is the darkening of the natural color without the use of any staining chemicals. beechwood is traditionally used with food since it leaves no taste and has an inherent anti-bacterial quality.’

the smaller objects coasters are made from solid soapstone. a feature of soapstone is its unique heat permittivity; the ability to hold temperature. by placing the coasters in the freezer before use allows the stone time to accumulate a good chill – keeping any glass placed on them colder for a longer period of time.

 
‘chilled drinks on a cold soapstone coaster hold their chill longer than drinks placed on a coaster at room temperature. with our coasters beneath, you can enjoy that cold drink on a hot summer evening for just a little bit longer,’ says ola rune.

‘when I can’t find household items for my home that I want, I start designing. this has always been a process of passion for me, like a hobby’, comments mårten claesson on the launch of the new company. ‘I know that i share this passion with other designers and now i want to make it visible and accessible.’ ‘I am extremely cautious about what I let over my doorstep. these objects all pass that test’, continues eero koivisto: ‘our first collection consists of eight self-evident yet unobtrusive objects that fit within a wide range of contexts.’

 
‘as for everything we are involved in, we believe in cultivating a long term perspective. I hope that we will have the opportunity to influence and inspire people to choose well-designed everyday objects that will be cherished until they’re passed on or inherited’, concludes ola rune.

the ‘bisque’ tea light holders come as a trio in cream-white matte bisque, a thinner version of porcelain. translucency allows for a warm, radiant feeling once candles are lit. the rounded bottom edge helps give the impression that the vessels are floating just above the surface of the table.

‘this must be the perfect gift for anyone, both to give or receive’, says eero koivisto who has a life long fascination for white porcelain and ceramics. ‘as often is the case, a trio is more dynamic and creates an ambiance as opposed to a solitaire’, he adds.

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