Eikund: the best of Norwegian design
“The interesting mid-century Norwegian designs that Eikund have resurrected from various family archives, and the high quality that they have achieved in their production, are a welcome addition to the range of Scandinavian designs available.” - Daniel Aram
Just three years old, Eikund is a new brand which already has heavyweight designs in its catalogue. Founded by Morten Hippe, Frode Tingbø and Jørgen Tengesdal, the company vision is to source and manufacture the best of Norwegian design. Mid-twentieth century classics from Torbjørn Bekken, Fredrik A. Kayser, Sigurd Resell and Arne Tjomsland form the launch collection with more products to be added. The company has the rights to more than 50 designs. Aram Store is pleased to be the only UK stockist.
The founders searched private archives, examined original products and 1:1 technical drawings, discovering how the furniture was previously made. They met with the one surviving designer and relations of those passed away in their quest to bring the mid-century pieces back to life. All products were previously in production for varying periods with some made only as commissions. Some pieces such as the Krysset and Hertug chairs were such named whilst others were named by Eikund as they previously had only drawing numbers.
Most of the products are made in the Eikund factory at Helvik. White oak and American black walnut are the structural materials of choice, sourced from responsible and renewable forests. Leathers are vegetable tanned from Tärnsjö Garveri and chromium tanned from Sørensen Leather. Based in Lillehammer, Gudbrandsdalens Uldvarefabrik is the producer of the two fabric types used by Eikund – Vadal UNI and Gandal +.
Krysset is an elegant cross-legged lounge chair designed by Fredrik A. Kayser in 1955 when he worked at Rastad & Relling Tegnekontor furniture and interior architectural firm. The oak frame is available in five finishes. Wooden dowels at the joints are in a contrasting finish and emphasise the fine craftsmanship. The natural, brown or black leather back which resembles a sail is pulled in to position by matching coloured rope which is beautifully sewn in to the frame. The chair is completed by an upholstered seat pad which rests on thick rubber strips, attached to each framed edge.
Krysset is on display in oiled oak and brown leather at £2,875 and in oiled walnut and black leather at £3,229.
Also by Kayser, Fluffy lounge chair is a product of art meets design. Conceived in 1954 for the parliament building in Oslo, the chair was only in production for a couple of years and was replaced by a smaller and more refined version. Originals with textile or sheepskin upholstery are now hard to find.
The angular spindle arms and almost visible legs contrast with the ultra-soft sheepskin upholstered body. Luxury is combined with pared back tradition. The frame is available in soaped, white oiled, oiled or smoked oak with sheepskin in white or black. Measurements are 89w x 88d x 89h cm. In-store in smoked oak and white sheepskin, the price is £6,957.
Kayser designed the Hertug side chair (1959) for Viken Møbelfabrikk in Bergen whilst working as a freelance designer. Production continued until the mid-60s. The chair’s purpose was to work in a variety of interiors schemes. Horizontal supports can be seen on each side with points of contact to the seat only used where necessary. The elegant curved back support offers ergonomic comfort and visually softens the overall linear form.
Available in oiled walnut and oak in a range of finishes, the seat is upholstered in coffee, mocca or black leather. We have four in store in black lacquered oak and black leather. Price £822 each.
Designed by interior architect Torbjørn Bekken in 1960, the Veng armchair and lounge chair were produced for a few years only for export. Rare originals can be seen today in the USA. Eikund now produce the chairs in the same finishes as the Hertug chair. Two armchairs are in store in white oiled oak and coffee leather at £1,761 each and one lounge chair in oiled walnut and black leather at £3,595.
Bekken designed the series of Evja occasional tables in 1958. Tops are circular, square and rectangular. Tapered at the bottom, the legs splay outward at the top to an elegant curve complementing the curved edges of the horizontal surfaces. All models are available in oiled walnut and oak in four finishes.
Evja is in stock in soaped oak in 70 diameter x 45h cm at £925 and in oiled walnut in 85 diameter x 50h cm at £1,356.
Aram Store is the only UK retailer to display the Eikund collection.