An elegant exploration of the hugely influential simplicity, beauty, and functionality of Nordic design - timeless, yet on trend

From literature to food, lifestyle to fashion, cinema to architecture, Nordic influence is evident throughout contemporary culture. The Red Thread: Nordic Design celebrates this deep-rooted aesthetic, showcasing the diversity of design from Scandinavia and Finland via more than 200 objects - from everyday items to exquisitely produced decorative glassware, and from traditional handmade textiles to mass-produced products found in homes across the globe. The title is taken from a metaphor, common in the Nordic countries, of a shared and highlighted characteristic (like a long connecting thread in woven material), that runs through and connects themes, ideas, stories, and, in this case, design.

About the Author

Oak -The Nordic Journal is publishing biannually by Oak Publishing, an independent Copenhagen-based lifestyle publisher founded in 2013. Oak - The Nordic Journal showcases visionary talents through an insight into their life, ideas, and spaces.

Reviews

"...Prob[es] the creative philosophy of functionality and simplicity that has made Nordic pieces staples of tasteful interiors the world over."-Surface

"This beautifully bound volume celebrates Nordic design in its many shapes and forms... The focus is on design as a means of enhancement, a concept beautifully sheathed here in cloth and red stich" -Image Interiors and Living

"Pride in tradition is the cornerstone of The Red Thread: Nordic Design, an encyclopedic exploration of the spare, naturalistic furniture and objects long associated with the region."-New York Times

"The Red Thread: this is a Nordic metaphor for a shared characteristic. Shows the common aesthetic of classic Scandi designs."-Elle Decoration

"Demonstrates the Nordic region's deep-rooted cultural aesthetic by showcasing the diversity of its design through more than 200 objects. [...] Nordic design's enduring appeal has led to widespread international desire for beautifully designed and expertly crafted objects."-New Design

"Covers more than 200 examples of significant aesthetic achievements... A comprehensive, if visual, history of design."-Vogue Online

"This clothbound book with red stitching is a sunning piece of art designed to inspire and engage."-Self Build & Design

"Beautifully presented survey of the Nordic region's hugely influential and enduring contribution to design, a uniquely elegant combination of function, simplicity and natural materials... And in literal fashion, one [a red thread] is cleverly sewn into the grey cloth cover and binding of the book for a richer tactile experience... If you haven't witnessed this remarkable approach for yourself, the pages of The Red Thread will take you on a comprehensive Nordic tour in which you can explore just how optimistic, meaningfully connected and harmonious daily life can be... Gloriously dense with colour photographic examples of Nordic objects - some very famous, some lesser known surprises, making it a must-have collector's title. I dare you not to feel a surge of overwhelming inspiration as you browse its pages; The Red Thread is pure joy for design fans or anyone who loves life."-TheSwelleLife.com

"With over 250 pages of beautiful photography and historical context, The Red Thread is a comprehensive look into the far-reaching legacy of Nordic design. It's the type of book you can read cover-to-cover or page through leisurely. Not to mention the fact that the intricate, hardbound cover (complete with actual red threads!) makes for a lovely coffee table book."-Apartment Therapy

"The book - part of a Phaidon series on regional design - is almost as much a beautiful catalogue as a primer." -1stdibs Introspective

"Celebrated in this stylish new volume... Charming and sincere, this lovely volume presents a vision of life that design-lovers, architects and anyone seeking peace will enjoy. An inspiring summer read." -Identity

"The Swedish expression den radar traden (meaning "the red thread") describes the essence of a piece of creative work-which is what this book sets out to do, by getting into the heart of modern and contemporary Nordic furniture."-Singapore Tatler Homes

"Thumping great volumes make for thumping great presents and top of the list for a mid-century modernist who likes design that's not preserved in aspic, should be The Red Thread by Oak Publishing and Phaidon. The quality of the publication is superb and is a discerning book for the aesthete in your life who has everything - including the time to read. Heavy as this book is, it's a flicker - the most important element is design and imagery. Beautiful photography fulfils the brief, style is a visual thing and you can't convey the decadence of a Hans Wegner Flag Halyard Chair draped in Mongolian sheepskin in words alone. And there's a huge domestic range, from buckets to cutlery, to children's toys to glassware, fabric and more... There are plenty of up to date pieces here - it's not all classic, swingeingly expensive mid-century stuff, and there are old classics too whose ubiquity hasn't been mined yet."-IrishExaminer.com

"An elegant hardback that explores the functionality and pared-down beauty of Nordic design... The book casts light on the region's wealth of established and emerging design talent... Nordic design at its best" -Harper's Bazaar Interiors (Saudi Arabia)

"Fans of Scandi design will love Phaidon's beautifully produced new book, The Red Thread: Nordic Design, which gathers together the endless pieces - from Alvar Aalto sublimely simple stools to sculptural Arne Jacobsen chairs - that have become modern classics." -A Little Bird

Book Information
ISBN 9780714873473
Author Phaidon
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Phaidon Press Ltd
Publisher Phaidon Press Ltd
Weight(grams) 1226g
Dimensions(mm) 270mm * 205mm * 30mm