Stories 2022.06.16

Strong as steel

When you sit down on a chair from Grythyttan Stålmöbler, there’s a good chance it’s 70 to 80 years old. Made to last for generations, and sustainable before the word became trendy, the furniture made by the Lindqvist family in the village of Grythyttan can be found in every corner of Sweden. Now, Grythyttan Stålmöbler will add its signature design and esteemed heritage to NOD’s collective brand identity.

Although the foundry in the village of Grythyttan started off making horseshoes back in 1895, the smiths and woodworkers here have been crafting outdoor furniture for almost a century. From their workshop, painted classic Falu red and tucked away in the meadows of the Bergslagen landscape, the Lindqvist family has made the Grythyttan name synonymous with Swedish summer. This is due, in large part, to the keen eye and aspirations of Artur Lindqvist.

Artur was inspired by the idea of ​​function. Wanting to create beautiful things that served a purpose in people’s everyday lives, he designed the now classic A2 chair and displayed it at the Stockholm Exhibition of 1930. It has been manufactured continuously ever since. During the 40s and 50s, the company produced other models, several of which have also become iconic.

Summer magic

“The longevity of our products is our most important contribution to a society that must become more sustainable,” explains Grythyttan Stålmöbler’s CEO Karl Lindqvist. “For us, it starts with beautiful and timeless furniture that you and later your grandchildren will appreciate when you want to sit down and enjoy a meal or a coffee outdoors together. All that is required is a little care and maintenance.”

Every piece of furniture produced here is the result of solid craftsmanship. “Our blacksmiths work with the utmost care and precision to ensure that our heritage lives on,” Karl explains. “All the wood comes from sustainable forests and we only use steel of the highest quality.” Even so, before production begins, every piece of steel and wood is meticulously checked. Each piece of furniture is then manufactured right in Grythyttan, which is why they only produce a limited number each year.

NOD’s CEO Therese Hillman admits that she’s had an eye on Grythyttan Stålmöbler since NOD was founded. “This acquisition enables us to weave one more piece of Swedish design history into the fabric of our company. Everything about them – from the emphasis on local craftsmanship to the local production in Bergslagen and their unswerving focus on quality and sustainability – all fits like a glove with NOD’s ambition to take the heritage of Swedish design out into the world.”