Set in an old townhouse, The Conary, in the heart of Copenhagen, the joint exhibition "Enter the Salon" offered a selection of distinguished brands from across the world during 3daysofdesign. Curated by designer Signe Hytte, Enter the Salon is a space where design, art, and poetry converged, intertwining the past with the present. Celebrating the famous salons of yesterday, the exhibition was designed to offer quiet reflection, casual conversation, and new perspectives. We talk with Signe Hytte, curator of Enter the Salon, and Helen RK Jensen, VP Brand at Carpe Diem Beds, one of the exhibitors.
Inspired by the salons of yesterday
Back in Paris, London, Berlin, Copenhagen and beyond, the salons were pivotal in hosting and fostering the avant-garde of the time. Truly vibrant gatherings where intellectuals and creatives exchanged fresh ideas and challenged societal norms. During 3daysofdesign townhouse The Conary embodied the same spirit: to inspire each other and talk, listen and think with an open mind, together.
Challenging the idea of the typical fair stand as a showcase, Enter the Salon was designed to feel like a culturally savvy, indelibly tasteful and strangely timeless private residence with plenty of layers to dive into. A place where new movements start casually over drinks and hors d'oeuvres, and where the beauty of art and design and the importance of a great party carry equal weight to the people privileged enough to inhabit the rooms.
'My vision was to do away with the classic fair stand and tell a story instead. One where every guest can explore multiple layers and find their own to be inspired by,' Signe explains. 'The exhibition exceeded all my expectations; the feedback has been overwhelming. I'm honoured and surprised by how many visitors we had, especially since "The Conary" is a new location for 3daysofdesign. And most importantly, all the brands that were part of the exhibition were happy. That's the most rewarding part when you have been working on something for so long.'
International brands
Throughout, a carefully curated selection of brands mix with each other to form a lived-in, informal, and slightly opulent red thread. Each brand fulfils their own essential role in the larger play that unfolds inside.
The common denominator for all the brands is an unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and quality over passing trends and fads, always with a focus on how uncompromising techniques can be emphasised in their pieces. Through intricate wood joinery, advanced LED technology, textile installations and an insistence on keeping handcrafted work alive, the brands create the new by looking to the refined traditions of the past.
One of the exhibiting brands was Carpe Diem Beds. VP Helen says: 'The exhibition Enter the Salon was truly impressive. Signe Hytte, the designer that curated it all, has managed to create a different take on the classic furniture exhibition. An exhibition with a clear red tread of Japandi style and a very calming and relaxed atmosphere. A feeling of coming into a private home and exploring the bedroom, the office, the living room, etc. A perfect match for Carpe Diem Beds where we want to emphasise tranquillity that relaxes both body and mind.'
Carpe Diem Beds
The Swedish brand Carpe Diem Beds decorated the bedroom, harmoniously blending comfort, innovation and Scandinavian design. Inspired by serene cliffs, vast ocean, and fields of heather on the West Coast of Sweden, each bed is meticulously created and handmade in Sweden with carefully chosen materials such as solid Nordic pine, organic cotton, Talalay latex and luxurious fabrics.
'It was received very well by visitors. Everyone I spoke to was thrilled and impressed by the curation, the atmosphere and the clear red tread throughout the Townhouse. All three days were very busy in the Townhouse with many visitors,' Helen explains further.
Other exhibitors
Ladies & Gentlemen Studio
Ladies & Gentlemen Studio is a multi-faceted design studio rooted in exploration through the development of objects, spaces, and experiences. Based on both coasts of the U.S., they craft products inspired by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and embrace a holistic design consciousness.
Silkeborg Uldspinderi
Silkeborg Uldspinderi, a third-generation design company established in 1947, specialises in exclusive, long-lasting throws, cushions, and scarves. They collaborate with renowned textile designers, ensuring sustainable and high-quality materials certified by the RWS.
Karimoku Case
Karimoku Case, a contemporary lifestyle brand from Japan, focuses on serene beauty and timeless appeal. Their collections, crafted by leading architects, highlight native settings and meticulous craftsmanship.
Ambientec
Ambientec, founded in 2009, specialises in portable, indestructible lights with integrated LED technology, offering poetic light designs for indoor and outdoor spaces.
August Sandgren
August Sandgren handcrafts timeless and functional storage solutions, honouring their 100-year-old box-making heritage with upcycled materials and Oeko-Tex certified leather.
Origin Made
Origin Made, based in Porto, collaborates with skilled artisans to produce collectible furniture and objects, celebrating traditional craft techniques and thoughtful design.
More information:
Enter the Salon
www.3daysofdesign.dk
Signe Hytte Studio
[email protected]
www.signehytte.com
Carpe Diem Beds
[email protected]
www.carpediembeds.com