Visiting Muuto in Copenhagen

Copenhagen greeted me with rain and no sun. Regardless of this, I fell in love with it from first sight. I came to Denmark with Ania Kupis, the owner of Scandinavian Living. Thanks to her invitation, I had the opportunity to learn more about the DNA of one of my favorite brands and visit another city I haven’t been to yet.

In the taxi from the airport to the Muuto showroom – the travel destination – I noticed that only tourists are bothered by rain. The locals rode their bikes wearing waterproof pants and trenches. Some of them walked unhurriedly ignoring the precipitation and only a few of them were equipped with umbrellas. As I saw in the evening, the weather that leaves the streets of Warsaw empty, absolutely does not affect the number of guests in the gardens of Copenhagen restaurants and bars.

Tourists can be recognized, among others, by a hand armed with an umbrella.

Muuto Showroom is located in a district of the city center that every shopaholic would consider a paradise. A tiny elevator took us up to the top floor of one of the tenement houses. We were there. If we decide whether we like something or someone within the first few seconds, it was enough time for me to be certain that I was extremely pleased with the place we arrived to.

Great design without pomposity

Muutos in Finnish means “a new perspective”. The effects of this approach can be found, among others, in the materials that make up the company’s products or the technology used in the production process. The makers of the Muuto brand have created a concept that despite it’s young age (it’s been on the market for only twelve years) is consistent in every form – the product (inclusive of portfolio development or pattern consideration at every stage – starting from the idea, to the most effective way of packaging and delivery), production, strategy, communication, visual identification, as well as team building and team development.

Color without coercion

Since it was first started the brand has undergone a color metamorphosis. Strongly saturated hues and bold color combinations have been gradually replaced with a not so obvious, sophisticated palette. Both colorist minimalists, who associate a good interior with white, black, navy blue and bronze, as well as more daring fans of design, will find it to their liking.

In my opinion, what is worth mentioning is the fact that Muuto is not a brand for everyone. You either appreciate it or not. The catalogs do not showcase pastels, characteristic to the Polish interpretation of Scandinavian interiors. It’s definitely design for connoisseurs with a sense of style and product awareness.

And the showroom was designed for such people too. The furniture from the brand’s portfolio has been arranged to showcase all of its types and the available color palette. The space is to serve as an inspiration and an incentive for implementing personal ideas, because all the elements – furniture and accessories – can be combined without a worry about an aesthetic faux pas.

Good foundations

“If I were to describe Copenhagen in one word, it would be trust.” I heard this from Julia Marnier, sales manager for Central and Eastern Europe. I then remembered a scene from the movie “Eat, pray and love”, where the main character, writer Elizabeth Gilbert (played by Julia Roberts), during an evening dinner with friends in Rome looks for an answer to the question of what words best describe London, Stockholm, New York and Rome.

What Julia said so strongly stuck in my mind that I decided to do a quick research during our stay. I asked every person I met – from a chemistry student who chose to move to Copenhagen without ever being there before to people who were born in this city. The answers turned out to be absolutely unambiguous. It’s a fact that no one is surprised here seeing a stroller with an infant left outside of a restaurant while the parents eat their meal inside. Because worst case scenario, the toddler will start crying, or one of the passers-by will react and let you know.

Mutual trust also lies in the success of the brand, that earlier this year became an addition to the Knoll group. Trust is put in both employees, as well as designers cooperating with Muuto, which was even mentioned during the presentation of products from the latest collection. The goal is simple – we work together towards mutual success, so we support each other. After all, responsible, conscious and effective professionals are on both sides. And that’s it.

Pebble rug, Fiber Lounge chair, Beam lamp

These three new products were introduced this season. If I had to choose my favorite, I would hesitate between the rug and the leather finished armchair.

PEBBLE RUG
A wool rug, with a weave consisting of knots that pleasantly massage your bare feet when walking on it. Something for visualizers and empiricists.

Price around 4700 PLN

FIBER LOUNGE CHAIR
Inconspicuous, but very comfortable. The seat’s construction is based on a material composed of wood and polypropylene in a leather or fabric upholstery, with the base of the chair made of oak.
Price around 5400 PLN

BEAM LAMP
Looking a bit like a cartoon character, made out of custom four color metal, it can emit light of varying intensity on both sides. It makes for a nice table lamp, as well as lighting for graphics or images hanging on the wall.
Price around 850 PLN

A short trip to Copenhagen convinced me that I had invested my feelings well. The admiration for Scandinavian design – including Danish – has definitely become enforced. I would go to Denmark once again with great pleasure, especially to see the interiors of the apartments of its locals.