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Embrace the magic of Midsummer with Orrefors
THE TRADITIONS OF MIDSUMMER
For those unfamiliar with Swedish Midsummer traditions, it is a lively event that involves gathering family and friends to celebrate the longest day of the year. In Sweden, tables are adorned with classic dishes of pickled herring, buttered new potatoes, cheesy Västerbotten pie, and fresh strawberries. Naturally, the festivities include the singing of traditional songs and the spirited drinking of aquavit.
This celebration isn't merely about the food and drink; it is a time when the magic of the season unfolds. The air is alive with laughter, and the countryside basks in the glow of seemingly endless daylight. Maypoles are raised and flower crowns are woven as friends and family gather to celebrate the return of the long-awaited summer. Midsummer is a time when nature and tradition intertwine, creating moments that are cherished long after the sun has set on this enchanting day.
"Midsummer comes in early Swedish summer, rather than in the middle. So it is like a celebration of the opening of the best season, lots of light, green leaves, warm weather. All of which have been dearly missed for nine months." Explains Mårten Claesson of Claesson Koivisto Rune, the renowned designer trio behind Orrefors’ latest Midsummer collection. We spoke to Mårten about the new collection and the essence of midsummer.
THE MIDSUMMER VASES: A TRIBUTE TO FLOWERS
Midsummer celebrations are imbued with enchanting traditions, from crafting flower crowns with freshly picked wildflowers to the whimsical custom of gathering a bouquet of seven different meadow flowers and placing them under your pillow to dream of your future love. Inspired by this charming ritual, Claesson Koivisto Rune and Orrefors have created the seven miniature Midsummer vases. Winners of the prestigious Red Dot: Best of the Best 2024 award, each vase is designed to complement the diverse beauty of these flowers.
Place a mini bouquet of wildflowers under your pillow this midsummer and dream sweet dreams of your future love.
"We crafted seven unique shapes to honour the variety of different flowers," Mårten explains. Each vase in the collection is named after a particular flower that grows wild in Scandinavia and is designed not only to hold a flower upright and provide it with water but also to amplify the flower's natural beauty.
A vase needs to possess a simple beauty of its own, a shape that harmonises with the flower it holds, without overpowering it.
BALANCING FUNCTIONALITY AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
In Nordic homes, vases are more than just vessels for flowers; they are captivating works of art. Claesson Koivisto Rune has successfully balanced functionality and artistic expression by creating vases that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
"Glass is a hard material, like stone. But it is also a fluid material before it cools, like lava.” Mårten tells us. “So, a glass object bears simultaneously its solid and fluid phases in its shape. It looks precise but cannot be precisely controlled (when mouth blown).” He continues.
As designers, we love this ambiguity and borderland between what’s desired and what’s possible.
THE BEAUTY AND SIMPLICITY IN DESIGN
Experience the magic of midsummer with the captivating Midsummer collection. Each vase, whether displayed individually or grouped together, brings a touch of elegance and harmony to your midsummer table or indeed any room in the home. "The Midsummer collection is really versatile. You could see it as one vase for a bouquet where the separate flowers get a vase each, in a group on a table. Or you have one vase for one flower in your windowsill," says Mårten.
“The soft, hues of the inaugural collection were designed to evoke the light and airy essence of summer” he tells us, “reminiscent of delicate watercolour”. This nod towards the flowers that inspired the collection make these vases perfect for showcasing the blooms you gather during your summer adventures.
Arrange the vases along the centre of the table to infuse a burst of colour into a pristine white table setting, capturing the vibrant essence of midsummer. Alternatively, place a single vase on your bedside table to bring a touch of seasonal magic to your personal space. The vases are available as a set of seven or individually, making them ideal collectors’ items or buy the set as a thoughtful gift for someone you love.
No midsummer celebration would be complete without a cooling dip in the lake.
THE ESSENCE OF SWEDISH MIDSUMMER
Midsummer is a time when nature comes alive with vibrant colours and textures. In Scandinavian in particular this season is embraced to the fullest extent, evening walks through the wild forests and an early morning dip in the lake.
Claesson Koivisto Rune have translated this seasonal energy into their collection by choosing designs and colours that perfectly embody the spirit of the Scandinavian summer. The Midsummer vases are not only a functional piece for holding flowers but also a celebration of Swedish tradition and the beauty of nature.
The Midsummer collection is a tribute to one of Sweden's most cherished traditions. By capturing the essence of Midsummer in their designs, Claesson Koivisto Rune and Orrefors have created a collection that harmonises nostalgia with the contemporary making them a timeless addition to any home.
Photography: Elof Martinsson
