Nordic Nest Brings Design History and Future Visions to Stockholm Design Days
As part of the new Stockholm Design Days initiative, Nordic Nest steps outside the boundaries of traditional retail to present two curated public showcases exploring Scandinavian design from legacy to next generation. The focal point is a tribute to Verner Panton, one of modern design’s most influential voices, honored on his 100th anniversary with an exhibition of licensed works still in production today.
Founded in 2002, Nordic Nest has steadily grown into a global destination for Scandinavian interiors, now reaching customers in more than 70 countries. What feels different this year is the company’s clear shift toward storytelling. Design is not only displayed, but framed in a broader cultural context, while remaining immediately accessible to those who wish to bring these pieces into their own homes.
Celebrating Verner Panton at 100
Walking through the Verner Panton 100 showcase at Gallery Existens, it becomes evident how radical Panton’s vision once was and how current it still feels. His fearless exploration of color, form and materials helped define a new visual language in 20th century design. Decades later, his work continues to feel alive rather than archival.
The exhibition gathers licensed pieces still in production through brands such as Montana, Louis Poulsen and &Tradition. There is something powerful about seeing designs that have not only survived but remained relevant enough to stay in production. It quietly reinforces the idea that true icons do not belong to a single era. Visitors can also access these pieces directly through Nordic Nest’s platform, allowing admiration to turn into ownership without friction.
Icons of Today and Tomorrow
Running alongside the Panton tribute is Icons of Today and Tomorrow, a showcase that asks an interesting question: how does a future classic begin? Featuring Montana, Louis Poulsen, &Tradition, Ferm Living and Flos, the exhibition pairs 2026 novelties with established designs across lighting, furniture and objects.
The curation avoids the language of trends and instead focuses on longevity, material exploration and cultural relevance. Previewing upcoming collections in the same space as enduring pieces invites reflection on what makes a design last. It is less about what is new and more about what will matter.
A New Format for Experiencing Design
Nordic Nest refers to these spaces as editorial environments rather than retail settings, and that description feels accurate. They encourage conversation and contemplation, not just consumption. This approach follows a year of notable steps for the company, including a design dinner at Stockholm’s Nationalmuseum and the opening of its first physical store in Hamburg.
What emerges is a brand positioning itself somewhere between curator, retailer and cultural mediator. As the Verner Panton 100 celebration illustrates, looking back at design history can be just as forward-looking as launching something new. Scandinavian design, in this context, feels less like a style and more like an evolving dialogue between past and future.
Image Courtesy of Grand Relations
