Young European designers are making their mark in the home decor industry with innovative designs. The article profiles four such designers: GamFratesi created the TS Table which combines a simple metal frame with elegant marble; Kristine Five Melvaer's soft vases can be used upright or upside down for different flower arrangements; Morten Nikolajsen designed the MN1 executive chair using minimal components and honest materials; Florian Schmid's Carla & Carlo consoles feature hidden drawers and wall-mounted mirrors to create the illusion of tables extending into the wall.

1. 2 3THE HIGH END THE HIGH END
EUROPE’S
RISING STARSYoung European designers are emerging as a commanding force in the home décor marketplace. Their unique design
ideas have created a stir in the home furnishing market, and have left an indelible impression on the design world.
These innovators have taken simple table, chair and vase concepts and made them truly extraordinary. The work of
these young talents reflects inspired creativity from across the ocean that demonstrates practical concepts for any
home decorating project.
By Stacey Staum
GamFratesi: TS Table
Husband and wife team Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi
opened their design studio, GamFratesi, in 2006. Their
design style draws upon traditional Danish furniture models
combined with a classic Italian intellectual and conceptual
approach. Fratesi explains, “The elements and proportion
are inspired by the ’30s architecture of the building. It’s
not only the aesthetics of the house that inspired the table,
but the materials were also found on site.” The TS Tables,
designed for GUBI, pair a simple metal frame with an elegant
marble top.
Kristine Five Melvaer: Soft Vases
Norwegian designer Kristine Five Melvaer, who
holds dual master’s degrees in industrial design and
visual communications, received the Riedel award
for her glasswork in October of 2014. Melvaer’s
creations reflect her Scandinavian heritage and
personal style, which tends toward sensuous objects
with Scandinavian simplicity. Melvaer discloses, “My
favorite feature of the vase is the fact that you can
change the function. The vase can hold one flower in
the narrow drop-like shape or be turned upside down
to be used for larger bouquets.” The Soft Vases
reflect her practical artistic style.
TREASURES
Morten Nikolajsen: MN1 Chair
Danish designer Morten Nikolajsen,
a 2006 graduate of Southern Denmark
University with a degree in engineering, has
created the ultimate executive’s seat for chair
manufacturer HOWE. Nikolajsen established
his own design firm, MOHONI, where he
designs a wide variety of home furnishings.
Nikolajsen shares, “Besides the mission, it was
also important to me to limit
the use of components, thus
focusing on a few honest
quality materials in order
to create a meeting
chair in harmony
with simplicity.”
The MN1 adds a
warm element
to what are too
often lackluster
conference rooms.
Florian Schmid: Carla & Carlo
German designer Florian Schmid, who won the 2014
Lancôme Design Award by Elle Décor Italy, designed the CARLA
& CARLO collection as a unique take on the classic console.
Schmid explains, “I was actually inspired very much by the
geometric forms of how a straight line can look in relation to a
circle. So the mirror combines the thought of how to use a mirror/
dressing table and the beauty of the simplest geometric shapes.”
Both consoles feature a hidden drawer, and are attached to a
wall-mounted mirror whose reflection creates the illusion that
the table continues into the wall.
All of these items are available for sale through Suite NY.
http://www.suiteny.com/home
Stine Gam & Enrico Fratesi
Morten Nikolajsen
Kristine Five Melvaer
Florian Schmid