Architect Kenny Decommer and scenographic designer Hugues Delaunay have otherwise been known as Cobra Studios since 2020. The Brussels-based duo work together to bring creative, sculptural furniture pieces and interiors that overflow with color, material, form, and texture to life. The studio recently launched a series of chairs, tables, lamps, sofas, and curtains. Initially designed for a specific space in the Art Deco SHELL building near Brussels Central Station, the collection can be combined with other pieces previously released by Cobra Studios for an inimitable aesthetic.
Cobra Studiosโ manufacturing process for the series includes reusing and recycling materials and objects โ including leftover resin stock โ to bring these new pieces into the world. The original elements of the Art Deco SHELL building include travertine, marble, and concrete and have been combined with latex, clay, stainless steel, foam, resin, velvet, and aluminum. The end result is a surprising, charismatic, and chic visual experience that retains an air of fun.
To learn more about Cobra Studioโs furniture and lighting, visit cobra-studios.design.
Two of the biggest Nordic brands have united to bring us the BASTUA collection, launching globally in March 2023. The limited-edition series of 26 products, created by home furnishings giant IKEA and iconic printmaker Marimekko, brings together Nordic design and self-care rituals. From furniture to glassware to textiles, vibrant patterns reflect nature back at you.
โCollaborating with Marimekko was a natural choice for IKEA as we are both committed to enabling a better everyday life at home, and with the BASTUA collection, it begins with focusing on wellness first,โ says Henrik Most, Creative Leader at IKEA. โThe collaboration encapsulates the sensations of endless summers and the simple and aesthetic beauty of Nordic nature in furniture and accessories for the home.โ
โBASTUAโ describes a sauna in Smรฅland, the region in southern Sweden where IKEA was founded. Self-care and Nordic sauna were the starting points of the collection thatโs meant to be used when relaxing outdoors in warm weather or simply winding down at the end of a long day.
The launch of BASTUA marks the first time that Marimekko has designed prints exclusively for a brand collaboration. โCapturing the essence of Marimekkoโs Finnish roots and its connection to the historic origins of sauna culture was a fundamental part of the design journey and the creation of the BASTUA prints,โ says Rebekka Bay, Creative Director at Marimekko. When gathering inspiration from nature, the brand gravitated towards the large, decorative rhubarb leaves that are often found growing near saunas in Finland. Youโll find it throughout the collection, including on the ever-popular FRAKTA bag.
Within the BASTUA collection lies furniture, glassware, and textiles that include robes and towels โ and even the first-ever sauna bucket โ among other items. These are all things one might traditionally use when enjoying a sauna, or right before or after the ritual. Youโll find elements that can be used during a meal, a place to sit and feel grounded, and even a candle infused with the scents of elderflower, rhubarb, and sweet vanilla.
BASTUAโs furniture pieces are inspired by classic Nordic design. A side table offers a clever feature: the collectionโs patterned trays fit perfectly on the top. You may even want to pull up the coordinating bench to enjoy a relaxing moment of Zen.
โNordic furniture design has always been characterized by clean lines and simple constructions that focus on functionโ says Mikael Axelsson, Designer at IKEA. โThe BASTUA side table is my take on this heritage, as it is made of birch veneer and with a high edge that keeps things in place.โ
The BASTUA collection feels like a perfect partnership, neither pattern nor design overshadows the other. Itโs a wonderful marriage between two brands that complement one another in harmony.
To learn more about BASTUA, visit ikea.com.