Sculptural Minimalism: New designs from Kristina Dam Studio

I first chatted to Danish architect and graphic designer Kristina Dam back in 2015 (see the post here), when she was two and a half years into developing her own company, Kristina Dam Studio. From her initial, limited-edition series of popular illustrations, the Copenhagen-based studio has since gone on to collaborate with talented up-and-coming and established designers, producing two collections every year.

With a mission to bring the worlds of art and interior together, Kristina describes her aesthetic as Sculptural Minimalism. Her designs have a distinctive Scandinavian style and clean, architectural expression, utilising honest, natural materials and minimal, graphic lines. They’re pieces with a long-lasting quality; a raw oak chair that will age gracefully, a heavy marble candlestick that looks like a sculptural piece of art, a simple vase you always put your favourite flowers in. She says:

‘We believe that mastering the monochromatic palette enables us to create timeless and enduring designs. Distinct and beautiful – simplicity with an attitude.’

‘We want all our pieces to add something to the room – give it character and attitude. That’s why our approach is sculptural and inspired by Japanese details, graphic Bauhaus art and the unpretentious way artists treat materials. With each collection we launch a new sculpture, but the sculptural quality is always keynote in all our work.’

With a focus on detail and craftsmanship, Kristina Dam Studio’s objects are made from strong, carefully considered materials. The company’s entire production is European and all materials are locally sourced. The oak of the chairs and vessels is raw and lightly sanded, while the leather used for the day beds is soft and unprocessed. So let’s have a closer look at the new objects this season…

First up we have the Mirror Table (above). Inspired by plinths and platforms found in art galleries across the world, this small pedestal features a black honed marble top and a mirrored base that reflects its surroundings. It also comes in a larger version with a luxurious, richly veined, grey marble top if you’re looking for something with a more eclectic edge.

Sharp black lines are an often repeated motif in Kristina Dam’s work. Above is the rectilinear Grid Coat Stand for displaying clothes, complemented by the Grid Wall Shelf, below, a minimal, hard-wearing, two-layered shelf that comes in black and white powder-coated steel. In the same family, there is also the Grid Wall Hanger, similar to the Wall Shelf but with neat little hooks to hang coats and jackets.

Also catching my eye for a hallway is the clever Rotating Mirror, available in black steel. The circular-shaped mirror can turn on an axis, ideal if you want to direct it to bounce light around a room, reflect a certain angle that is lovelier than the rest, or gain a different perspective of a space.

A charming design with three legs, these new Bowls come in two sizes. Made from Engobe-coloured terracotta and glazed inside to resist water, they can be used as fruit bowls or for a few artfully arranged floral stems.

The Dome Vases, below, not new this time, also have a sculptural quality with their bulbous shapes and soft earthy tones. They come in four sizes with four different shapes and openings.

For this collection, the Wooden Sphere is now available in extra large. Available in solid oak or black painted hardwood, it comes in two turned wooden pieces that when fitted together become a perfect circle. They can be stood separately as trays or used together to hide little treasures.

A design that I can see fitting right at home in my own house is the Bauhaus Trolley, which references the influential art school with its light expression and rigid, clean black lines. It doubles up as a bar cart, a movable table and a place to display beautiful books and unique objects.

The Mobile Mirror, below, is another beautiful piece of art in its own right – it can be suspended from the ceiling by a thin leather strap like a mobile or secured directly to the wall. Both images below show how straight lines can be softened by arcs and circular shapes.

Last but not least, is the Grid Cabinet, possibly my favourite of the collection, below. Made of black perforated steel with a marble plate on its top, it’s an elegant cabinet with a simple expression – perfect for displaying books and magazines in a home office, or equally for your best crockery in the kitchen. That’s one design I can see fitting into almost any style home.

So I hope you’ll agree, some stunning pieces, all united by their simplicity. Which designs catch your eye?

You find out more about Kristina Dam Studio’s work and pre-order items shown here at kristinadam.dk

All images courtesy Kristina Dam Studio