Josef Frank and his technicolour designs for Svenskt Tenn

Svenskt Tenn in Stockholm, Sweden was founded in 1924 by Estrid Ericson, who recruited the architect and designer Josef Frank to the company 10 years later. Together they created the elegant and boldly patterned style that continues to pervade the collection to this day.

Brightly coloured patterns went completely against the ideals of the day, as did unabashed borrowing from both high and low cultures and eras.

They called it “Accidentism” or “The Happy Chances Philosophy.” In 1958, Josef Frank wrote in the magazine Form: “There’s nothing wrong with mixing old and new, with combining different furniture styles, colours and patterns. Anything that is in your taste will automatically fuse to form an entire relaxing environment. A home does not need to be planned down to the smallest detail or contrived; it should be an amalgamation of the things that the owner loves and feels at home with.”

Frank’s ideas on harmony also went against the tide. When others advocated monochromatic environments, Frank wrote: “The monochromatic surface appears uneasy, while patterns are calming, and the observer is unwillingly influenced by the slow, calm way it is produced. The richness of decoration cannot be fathomed so quickly, in contrast to the monochromatic surface which doesn’t invite any further interest and therefore one is immediately finished with it.”

Estrid Ericson was a big fan of Swedish handicrafts. Inspired by the British Arts and Crafts advocate William Morris, she held the highest esteem for work that was crafted by the hand. “Made in Sweden” has always been, and will always be, an honourable notion at Svenskt Tenn.

Even the mighty Google got in on the act to celebrate Josef Frank’s 125th anniversary with a special logo devoted to the great designer…

You will find Josef Frank’s patterns on many products now, all available from Svenskt Tenn if you want to bring some colour and pattern in to your life.