Magazine Archive — Modernity

Uno Åhrén – the easy chair, and the ladies' salon

With a frame of rosewood, and upholstery in a deep red velvet, this piece was the epitome of modern luxury; the ladies' easy chair designed by Uno Åhrén. The subtle curvature and exaggeration of the back rest is stunningly sculptural, and the silhouette exudes femininity. This piece was part of a set that included both a chaise longue and coffee table and is among some of the most sought-after pieces displayed at the World's Fair exhibition in Paris, 1925. Read More...

Paavo Tynell’s ‘Snowflake’ – celebrating a legacy of lighting.

To experience anything visually, we are completely led by light. It is a life giver and creator of atmosphere. Rarely is light ever controlled as beautifully or poetically as it was by the world-famous Finnish lighting designer Paavo Tynell. Read More...

Arne Jacobsen and the iconic 'Oxford' dining set

Kaare Klint, an ode to a master.

An exploration into the history of the man that is responsible for the way in which the design of today is viewed and crafted. Read More...

Modernity opens its new exhibition space in London - Moves into a 18th century mansion

Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe, a retrospective.

An insight into the world that shaped Torun's vision to create ever-lasting symbols. Read More...

Futurum at a glance

Swedish architect and designer Axel Einar Hjorth (1888-1959) was a major contributor to the flowering of Swedish design, which gained international attention in the 1920’s. Often considered to be the creator of Swedish Grace, the equivalent of French Art Déco, Hjorth did not hesitate to try his skills in styles that varied from the luxuriousness of neo-classicism to the severity of functionalism. Read More...

Modernity exhibits with the renowned weavers Märta Måås-Fjetterström on a joint exhibition in Båstad, Sweden

Modernity is exhibiting at the famous weavers Märta Måås-Fjetterström, MMF, at their exhibition in Båstad this summer. Carpets and furniture are mixed to create a harmonious environment that ignites interesting discussion. Read More...

Modernity supplies pieces by Josef Frank and Alvar Aalto to leading museums in the US

Modernity supplied two US museums with iconic pieces of Nordic design, including the Flora cabinet by Josef Frank and an excellent example of Alvar Aalto's work, the model 70 occasional table. Read More...

Axel Salto - Master of Stoneware

Axel Salto is one of the most celebrated ceramists of the 20th century, due to his internationally recognised style and interpretation of nature in his designs. Read More...

Holiday Gift Guide for Nordic design aficionados

It is never an easy task to find the perfect gift for that special picky family member or friend with a very curated taste who happens to have (almost) everything. Hence this gift guide made of nine exclusive pieces of Scandinavian design: lighting, home decor or jewellery, all vintage Scandinavian design pieces, for the stylish collector. Read More...

Eliel Saarinen - Master of harmony

Eliel Saarinen (1873-1950), father of Eero Saarinen, was the leading architect of the Finnish romantic style in his native country in the early 20th Century. Read More...

Hans J. Wegner - Father of 500 chairs

Hans J. Wegner is the father of Danish design and is well known for creating some of the most iconic chairs of the past 100 years. Read More...

Josef Frank - Modernism Undone

Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pioneer of what would become classic 20th century Swedish design and the “Scandinavian Design Style”. Read More...

Émilie Bonaventure, the talent behind Modernity's fair decors

We first met Émilie Bonaventure in 2009 in Paris, when she was barely thirty years old. Her background was nevertheless impressive already then. Read More...

Modernity's fall agenda - 2017

We are getting ready for two major fairs held this fall, PAD London in October and the Salon in New York in November. Read More...

Swedish Grace: elegant and refined, yet delightfully simple

One of the briefest, yet among the most remarkable eras of 20th-century design would have to be Sweden’s 1920’s romantic national style known as Swedish Grace. Read More...

Get to know London-based interior designer Veere Grenney

One of the best interior designers for timeless elegance and modern sophistication, Veere Grenney speaks to Modernity about his design philosophy, projects and love for 20th Century design. Read More...

The five most desirable pieces of Scandinavian design

Scandinavian design entered the international scene in the 1940s and has been gaining in popularity ever since, particularly in the last decade. Read More...

Let us introduce you to Peder Moos - a truly extraordinary Danish cabinetmaker

“First I make the furniture, then afterwards I make a drawing” – Peder Moos. Uncompromising, eccentric, atypical, yet immensely talented are the words most commonly used to describe Danish cabinetmaker Peder Moos. Read More...

How to Build your own Design Collection - the PH-lamp under scrutiny

Modernity shares its four-step guide to instantly recognize the most desirable and collectible PH lamps - one of Scandinavia’s most famous designs and top collectors' choice. Read More...

The exclusive modern design gift guide

Christmas is the perfect time to indulge the ones you love (or yourself) with a timeless piece of modern design. Whether you chose a lamp, a piece of furniture, glass, ceramics, textile or jewelry at our gallery, you will feel comfortable in picking a carefully curated item. Read More...

A passion for Swedish designer Axel-Einar Hjorth, by French interior architect Pierre Yovanovitch

The acclaimed French designer and long-time friend of Modernity's, Pierre Yovanovitch, is a fervent collector of Scandinavian design, and of early 20th century Swedish designer Axel-Einar Hjorth in particular. Out of sheer curiosity, and because we share the same passion, Modernity asked Pierre to explain his attraction to Hjorth's creations. Read More...

Spotlight on Danish ceramist Sandra Davolio

Sandra Davolio is one of the most acclaimed Scandinavian ceramists at the moment. Her work can now be found in some of the most beautiful residencies worldwide, as it is gaining interest from an increasing number of international collectors. Read More...

Märta Måås-Fjetterström rugs - Five reasons why they have become so desirable

Swedish hand-woven rugs signed MMF are the absolute finest rugs manufactured in Scandinavia this past century. An ever-growing international crowd of modern design lovers show their enthusiasm by purchasing these stunning pieces for their interiors. This is why MMF rugs have become so desirable: Read More...