Josef Frank, Estrid Ericson, & SVENSKT TENN

The story of the Swedish design shop SVENSKT TENN in Stockholm is truly a remarkable tale. In 1924, a 30 year old art teacher and pewter artist, Estrid Ericson came into a small inheritance from her father and decided to open a shop featuring her own work and that of other artists. Her shop, which she named Svenskt Tenn (meaning Swedish Pewter) was a success--even the Swedish Crown Prince Gustav Adolf took notice and became a patron. Just four years later, in 1928, she was able to move the shop to it's current location on the prestigious boulevard Strandvaegen.

A view of Strandvaegen

Svenskt Tenn at 5 Strandvaegen

Pewter Box by Estrid Ericson, 1930's

Pewter Cat by Estrid Ericson

Very quickly, the store began to offer more than pewter and the focus expanded to all things interior design. Estrid had a great design-eye and was interested in modernism and craft. In 1932 she ordered furniture from the Austrian based, modernist architect, Josef Frank. A year later, fleeing the rise of Nazism, Frank left Austria with his wife and they settled in Sweden. Estrid hired Josef Frank, who needed work, to create new designs for the shop. The ensuing collaboration would forever change the course of Swedish design.
Josef Frank was no ordinary modernist. He felt that the strict rules of minimal color, minimal surface texture, and minimal decoration were too harsh and difficult to live with. He soften the coldness with bright colors, mixing textures, and creating exuberant patterns. The results were stunning -- and rather shocking! It is also worth noting that Josef began his collaboration at the age of 50.

The store, on several floors with meandering rooms, continues to offer original Josef Frank and Estrid Ericson designs, as well as offerings from a few select contemporary designers. 

An original Josef Frank serving trolley.

Josef Frank Sofa designed in 1940's

Josef Frank Serving Tray

Estrid Ericson and Josef Frank in the store.

There is no doubt that Josef Frank became the star. Ultimately he left Svenskt Tenn with over 2,000 furniture designs and 160 textile designs. Wisely, Svenskt Tenn only produces a select number of designs from the library each year. This is why Frank's designs seem forever fresh and exciting to a new generation. Here are a few designs currently in production:

The "Teheran" pattern on a Louis XVI Settee--so chic!

The store also offers design services, here is a sample of recent work:

And, of course, a tearoom is available for weary shoppers:

Josef Frank died in 1967. Estrid Ericson ran Svenskt Tenn until 1978, she died 3 years later. Today their collaboration lives on through the shop they loved and the designs they created.

Please leave a comment, let me know that you're out there!