Behind every object, there is a story

For a long time, creating a phone in a single piece was a dream for phone manufacturers worldwide. Many companies took on the challenge, but in the end, it was Ericsson that succeeded. Their passionate design team quickly presented a large number of sketches and model proposals. Rounded handles were matched against square ones, straight forms against curved lines, and a traditional corner angle was contrasted with a slanted one.

When Ericsson launched the Ericofon in the mid-1950s, it became the world’s first all-in-one telephone. It made a significant impact, thanks to its innovative design and user-friendliness. The fact that it was also available in a variety of colors undoubtedly contributed to its popularity.

The Chais Point collection (2008) by fashion designer Vivienne Westwood highlights humanity’s destructive impact on the environment and the fear of depleting Earth’s resources. The motifs were inspired by students at an elementary school in England. Westwood shared a story with the children about soldiers in a jungle who had grown weary of war and decided to stay behind. There, they discovered the miracle of life – learning not to take more than they needed. The soldiers returned as freedom fighters, now with new war paint: uniforms adorned with everything they loved, like butterflies, snakes, and magical flowers.

This wedding dress, paired with a beret, draws on the aesthetics of military uniforms and was showcased as the finale of the fashion show under the same name.

With a significant role in feminist art, Gittan Jönsson portrays complex power structures and social relationships through her multi-layered and often clever creations. In her art, she has the vacuum cleaner, dressed in high heels and a skirt, performing deep cleanses against injustices and corruption, reminding us that there is still much work to be done.

The figurine in our collection, East Indian Vacuum Cleaner (2009), is based on a personal story. Jönsson’s mother was a housewife, and the East Indian pattern originates from her grandmother’s precious porcelain. Jönsson photographed one of the plates and used the pattern to decorate her figurines.

The main function of ball bearings is to reduce friction between moving parts. By decreasing resistance, the system becomes more efficient and makes better use of the driving force. Without ball bearings, much energy would be lost as heat and wear, leading to a shorter lifespan for the product.

Many people believe that SKF (Svenska Kullagerfabriken) invented the ball bearing, but the fact is that it is a British invention that has been around since the 18th century. However, the founder Sven Wingquist improved the technology by developing the self-aligning ball bearing, which made machines more efficient. So, while SKF did not invent the ball bearing, the company has played a significant role in its development.

“Anyone who wants to create something that feels alive today must always start with what is actually alive.” Designer Josef Frank had a philosophical and thoughtful approach to interior design, putting the human being at the center. His designs are recognized for organic shapes, vibrant patterns, and a focus on comfort.

Josef Frank wanted the colors and forms of nature to be present in interiors, creating a sense of freedom even in enclosed spaces. For this reason, he preferred furniture that could be seen through. Chair 2025, designed in 1925, is no exception. Nature also appears in the chair cushion’s pattern, Celotocaulis, which was inspired by an Asian flower species.

Fantastical and extravagant patterns, explosive colors, and plastic laminate. Memphis was founded in 1981 and consisted of a group of artists and designers known for their bold furniture design. They often used everyday objects and reinterpreted them in unusual ways, with a great deal of curiosity. The inspiration came from comic books, pop art, kitsch, and Art Deco.

The Tahiti table lamp (1981), designed by founder Ettore Sottsass, has become one of the group’s most iconic works. The stylized bird shape, reminiscent of a toy, mixes color and materials in an imaginative way. The base, made of black and white laminate with the characteristic Bacterio pattern, supports a yellow stem with a black foot, holding the round pink “head.” The head can be rotated to direct the light from the red beak in the desired direction.