Johanson’s new showroom, designed by Trifle*, is a bold addition to Clerkenwell and the first standalone space for the Scandinavian furniture brand
Despite being involved in prominent projects throughout the UK for more than 20 years, Swedish family-run furniture company Johanson has not had a physical presence in London – until now. Multi-disciplinary design agency Trifle* was tasked with reimagining a showroom for Johanson on Great Sutton Street in the heart of Clerkenwell, which opened its doors in time for Clerkenwell Design Week.
The brief for Trifle* was to showcase a design evolution, from task chairs and desks to more memorable and fun products that reflect the shift in the need for workspaces to be collaborative and comfortable.
The intention was to create a working hub for clients and specifiers, as well as a place for talks, events and presentations. Trifle* responded to the multiple needs of the business by creating a floor plan that allows Johanson to host events and showcases, or turn the space into a showroom geared towards meetings and workshops. Space-saving ideas includes a display unit for chairs, which sits behind a curtain. A series of functional zones define the space, while core pieces are incorporated into the scheme.
Of primary importance was the promotion of colour and the vast number of finishes. A fabric swatch wall is not only a sales tool, but also works to elevate colour within the space. “Colour has more recently become a key part of Johanson’s identity. The brand offers 200 finishes and 200 fabrics, so this was a central part of the brief but it needed to be communicated without being overwhelming in a relatively small space, plus work with existing brickwork that dominates the overall colour palette,” says Nadia Themistocleous, lead designer at Trifle*. Dezabel acoustic panels have been used strategically as wall art to add more colour and texture to the fit-out. “It was incredibly liberating to be able to work with so much colour and challenging to restrain ourselves to make sure that there was a visual balance,” she adds.
Johanson began in 1953 as an upholstery workshop and today focuses on timeless, durable products. The brand introduced Grace and Garbo chairs at Clerkenwell Design Week, designed by Sweden’s Alexander Lervik. The elegant pieces draw inspiration from the forms prevalent in Art Deco and the Bauhaus.
The new showroom also nods to Johanson’s success within the hospitality market; its Jupiter bar stool can be seen next to a bar area – finished in creams and reds – with the Charlie sofa adding maximum comfort.
Images courtesy of Johanson
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