Maria Dahlgren, always with a sense of humor
Maria Holmer Dahlgren always has time for a laugh in the cheery studio she shares with fellow designer Åsa Kax Ideberg of EmyLittle.
A shabby chic bench is oh so welcoming (above), and Åsa’s EmyLittle designs (below) make a sweet complement.
It’s a lovely bright space tucked away in a cozy corner of Kungsholmen, one of the 14 islands that make up Stockholm, just a stone’s throw from home. Everywhere are the unmistakable signs of Maria’s creativity. Patterns, products, and works in progress are displayed throughout the space, lining shelves from wall to wall.
Maria’s studio is a feast for the eyes with her distinctive designs everywhere
Behind Maria’s desk hangs a rug she designed to commemorate the special years she spent in New York while still in school. It was done as a gift for a dear friend who was there with her in 1981. Because of a collaboration with A-carpet, any of Maria’s patterns can be made into rugs.
Some of Maria’s products including her New York rug (top right) and a bit of inspiration from Picasso
Maria produces most of her products through her own company, Metagram Art, but also collaborates often with other designers. She recently started a new endeavor with designer Barbro Tryberg Boberg of Formverket. Their partnership is called BOM United [BOM=Barbro och(and) Maria], and they’re already producing a fun new line of products for the home that we can’t wait to bring you soon here at From Sthlm.
BOM United stamp, ready for use, and another of Maria’s font-centric patterns below
Maria is all about experiencing the most out of life, and her joie de vivre is positively contagious. You feel it when you’re with her, and it radiates from every piece she produces. One of the reasons Maria has focused so much attention on city names is because it gives her a chance to really investigate new places and get to know them on her own terms.
Maria’s most popular city tray, available this month during March at From Sthlm
Her designs often include well-known landmarks and personal preferences alike. If you look closely, you may even spot some political and cultural commentary. One symbol that reappears in the Sweden-themed designs is two birds together, meant to represent the love between Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling, and their upcoming marriage.
The fun is in the details, as in this little symbol of two lovebirds… the royal couple set to marry this summer.
Maria Holmer Dahlgren’s long track record includes co-founding and designing for the high-end stationary company Ordning & Reda. She also created the graphic identity for the stylish hotel “Rival” in Stockholm, owned by ABBA’s Benny Andersson. In the months leading up to the hotel’s grand opening in 2003, the entire 99-room building was draped in a sheath of Maria’s logotype, dominating one of Stockholm’s main squares. As luck would have it, there is a picture on the Rival site, but I haven’t chased down permission to use it here.
Maria has done many different kinds of things including the book covers seen here – always with a nod towards bold font and graphic design.
With so much accomplishment behind her, Maria is still convinced that her best work is yet to come:
“Today I have the experience, but I’m still curious. I’m humble but also proud and stubborn. When I was younger I just kept adding, but today I can afford to be picky and allow myself to subtract. The sum of that has a greater balance.”
Well Maria, you better believe we’ll be here waiting in anticipation to see what you do next!
::: all photos belong to www.fromsthlm.com :::
This month only… Buy the happy patterns of Maria Dahlgren on trays, dishcloths and kitchen towels at From Sthlm!
Indulge in the many delightful details that make a home special in the book that you can only get here!
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