Estrid Ericson

Although, it was Josef Frank who designed the furniture and textiles, it was Estrid Ericson (1894 – 1981) who had the eye for how they would best come into their own. Together the two transformed the sober and objective functionalism into something soft and homey. Their version of functionalism was international and sophisticated and it included patterns, colours and objects while still managing to maintain simplicity.

“When I started Svenskt Tenn I was not very worldly and rather impractical. I relied entirely on the rather precarious future of good taste,” said Estrid Ericson in an interview many years after the store’s 1924 opening. On the store’s shelves at that time were 300 pewter objects that craftsman Nils Fougstedt and Estrid Ericson had created. Already on the opening day, Crown Prince Gustav Adolf turned up at the store. But just a few years later Estrid Ericson’s interest in interior design took over and the store filled up with more and more furniture.

In 1930 Estrid Ericson moved into an apartment that was “functional with a view” on Strandvägen, in the same building as the store. She tasked architect Uno Åhrén with the job of designing the interiors and the furniture was made by one of the capital city’s most skilled carpenters, Hjalmar Jackson. The colour scheme was muted and the furniture minimalistic. But that was before Josef Frank entered the picture. Just a few years later both the apartment and the store had been transformed.

“The simplicity of the room – the richness of details,” preached Estrid Ericson who was quick to adopt Josef Frank’s views on white walls, light moveable furniture, patterns, boldly coloured textiles and lighting without ceiling lamps, while also ensuring that her own personal touch was added to the environments.