Brands We Carry: Skagerak

How did you get started with objects?

It was actually a very natural process as the idea of working with design has always been very appealing to me. I moved from Copenhagen to New York in 1995 working as a model and through my endless travels it gave me the ability to explore the world returning home with some of my favorite discoveries. I’ve always been very inspired by my surroundings and design in general. That combined with having lived in the US for so many years and being Danish, the idea of facilitating brands and designs that I’m passionate about, is really inspiring to me.

At MINNA we believe in creating beautiful, ethically made products and using business to do good - how do these concepts relate to or inspire your process?

They definitely mean a lot to us as both brand facilitators and design enthusiasts.  The Skagerak story is a wonderful one and we are proud to work with a brand whose focus on responsible and ethical processes throughout their production is an inherent part of their DNA. Skagerak have also been FSC certified since 2003 – a very important factor for a wood focused company, as this ensures they meet the highest environmental and social standards. Products with the FSC label are identified as products coming from well managed forests - something that I’m sure consumers value when they purchase a product as they aren’t just looking for brands that create beautiful designs, they are also looking for brands that are thoughtful in relation to their actions. And Skagerak is one of these brands and this makes their designs meaningful.

What about your home makes it feel like home? What is a favorite memory of yours in your home?

I think the focus on minimalism, light, and open spaces has been a characteristic of all our homes over the years. I like it minimal and surrounded by cherished items I have gathered over the years. We run our Skagerak showroom out of our private Brooklyn townhouse and we are known in the industry as "A Little slice of Copenhagen."

And in relation to the minimalist aesthetic - everything just looks better with space around it – it’s about staying away from cluttered setups and having open rooms where you can interact. We love our open kitchen where I can sit and finish answering emails whilst my husband starts cooking. I also think it’s important to actually use your furniture pieces – even the ones that are a bit more expensive - you don’t want your home to be like an installation.

A favorite memory of mine relates to my classic Selandia outdoor dining set from Skagerak (which I purchased before moving to New York) as it is for me the center of bringing the family together for lovely late summer nights whilst eating dinner outside. It has followed me for so many years and I've  brought into different homes and wherever we go it just looks like it was naturally chosen for the space. This to me is meaningful design that will not only last you a long time but bring you back many great memories.

What are you reading/listening to/watching/looking at lately?

I wish I had more time to read books or watch TV series, but I recently watched Equinox on Netflix which is actually created by my friend Tea Lindeburg, and is a fascinating story about the mysterious disappearance of a high school class in 1999. It brought back some high school memories from Denmark and I really enjoyed watching it with my 16 year old daughter.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Trust your intuition.