Back in June, during Copenhagen’s ever more popular 3 Days of Design showcase, kitchen brand Garde Hvalsøe did something unusual. Amid the novelties and innovations launching across the city, centre-stage in its showroom was not something new but something old: a kitchen dating back to 2015 (pictured top) that had been reacquired by the company and reconditioned.
There was an accompanying exhibition, ‘Tempus’, by stylist Pernille Vest, which also saw old and new designs combined from both Garde Hvalsøe and Portuguese furniture makers De La Espada. The aim was to highlight the importance of longevity, craftsmanship and continuity, with materials able to age, return and be used again.
‘In the showroom, we have this old piece alongside the same design newly built. The depth and patina of the wood and the tarnished brass sink in the older version actually add to the beauty of it,’ says Garde Hvalsøe’s CEO Søren Lundh Aagaard. ‘The approach is different now. The days are over of buying something really expensive and, when it breaks down, getting a new one and being happy about that. Now, we want someone to come in and fix it.’
The brand, founded in 1990, is rooted in the traditions of Danish cabinet-making, with each kitchen or interior-furniture solution being developed via a careful interaction between design, material and construction. The ambition has always been to have lasting relevance rather than simply creating novelty. But, as Aagaard says: ‘Heritage and age are not a guarantee of success anymore. It used to be that, if you were an old, honoured brand, you could do whatever you wanted, but things have changed. Now, being aware of what we’ve come from makes it easier for us to evolve.’
That evolution involves developing this focus on circularity, to offer clients the opportunity to take their kitchens with them if they move, or to purchase items that have had a previous life elsewhere. In fact, in recognition of its work to date, the brand has just received B Corp certification. ‘What we do is also very much being part of a community,’ says Birgitta Murga Thomsen, Garde Hvalsøe’s chief of brand, people and business development. ‘Craftsmanship translates globally and it’s important to serve that worldwide audience and feed that relationship to make it grow.’
So the company will continue to focus on its core ‘Signature’ collection and new ultra bespoke Atelier design department, as well as introducing more reconditioned, pre-used models into the projects it works on with architects and private clients across Denmark and internationally. ‘Keeping the high standard of craftsmanship that we’ve become known for is going to be the key element that will help the brand live on for many years to come,’ says Aagaard. ‘I think the fact that we have a slow product actually helps our business. It takes a long time to design and produce; people use it on a daily basis and will continue to for years – that makes everything worthwhile.’ gardehvalsoe.dk
