Norway has quietly become one of Europe’s most compelling design destinations. Here is the story.
Norwegian design has brought us global names such as Jotun shedding colour into our lives, visionary designers like Daniel Rybakken shaping the international scene, and a strong tradition of making waves in Milan with grand exhibitions. This has made Oslo a fertile ground for its own design celebrations.
Twice a year, the city hosts the Oslo Design Fair, an intimate (or should we say “small”?) interior showcase. But every other year, the real jewel arrives: Designer’s Saturday.
This roaming festival, scattered across the city rather than confined to a single fairground, feels like Oslo at its best — relaxed, convivial, and fuelled by conversation, wine, and a distinctly Nordic sense of community. With up to 190 exhibitors and an official count of 6,000 visitors, it draws heavyweight international names — from Denmark’s Audo and Hay to Italy’s B&B Italia and Germany’s Kaldewei — while still offering space for homegrown and neighbouring Scandinavian talent.
The comparison with Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design is inevitable, and in many ways accurate. Designer’s Saturday is a tighter, lighter version: two and a half days of discovery, where the commercial and the artisanal sit happily side by side. The Norwegian character runs strong throughout. Warm woods and fine craftsmanship, bold steelwork and engineering-led design, and the thrill of meeting fresh talents all coexist in a distinctly local voice.
Is it a rival to Stockholm Design Week? Absolutely. To 3 Days of Design? Perhaps not yet. But for those weary of queues and crowded showrooms, Oslo offers something different: a festival that proves inspiration doesn’t only belong to the big capitals — sometimes, it thrives in the quiet confidence of Norway.
So, grades? I mean… What else can I give this than 5/5? It was good.
Rating: 5/5
Come rain, come shine. Two days in Oslo ment I had to bring an umbrella. But it was not all clouded skies.
All these images are from the exhibition “Hos Paul”. Set at the artist Paul Hellsegg, the set designers Per Olav Sölvberg and Kirsten Visdal had collected and curated some of the best of the best of contemporary design from this year. Picture in the top of this list have the new bench by Jonas Stokke. Look at the cute feet of the bench. And picture just above, you see my favourite Norwegian designer of today Kristine Five Melvaer. Her experiment with deadstock textiles and thrift shop vases are amazing. She is totally a designer that pushes limits and boundaries. One of the best in Europe.
The day after we went on a bigger tour of the city. Stopping at various exhibitions and joint projects. At and old workshop called Myren there were several projects also initiated by Designer’s Saturday. For instance collabs between designers and producers. Also looking at designers doing unique pieces.
For instance this bench by Anna Maria Öfstedal Eng. You should have seen her wavy, curly and quirky design for Ferm Living. Here she goes back to being a carpenter and cabinet maker. Pure, raw wood and craft. Not in serial production.
And this of course. Jonas Selvikvåg. I can’t remember where I saw this earlier… Was it Paris? Milan? But still beautiful and now a version of the chair is made into serial production.
And this I loved sooooooooooo much. I am getting older (don’t look older – but I am…) and this is sturdy coatrack. Hang onto it while untying your shoes. Please I need one. By Maria Viola Fjelde.
Waste wood usage by Kaja Dahl for Minus.
Vilde Hagelund for Ygg&Lyng
Design studio Morten&Jonas are of course a power house on the local scene.
German Lloyd Winter is trained in Norway.
Contract market Norwegian brand Fora Form.
A sustainable exhibition with a chair made of deadwood.
And lunch at Norwegian icon Peter Opsvik that made so many quirky chairs, but I fell in love with his cabinets.
Oystein Austad and Offecct
Drinks at Norwegian brand Northern.
Where I found designers Kjaer Loege. Amazing switches.
And last pictures from contract brand Flokk.
Did I miss anything? No, I don’t think so. I know Norway have a huge craft scene. Perhaps a bit more of that? Not super important. I could go back for that.
But I did leave these design days in Oslo – very inspirered. More of this please. Now I have to wait two more years until next time. But I did make time to see the new Munch Museum. But that is a completely a different story.