Once, customisation was the standard. Then came all sorts of standardised solutions. Today, we’re seeing a resurgence in customised elements. We explore some of the reasons and offer examples – including some very appetising kitchens!
Customisation isn’t new. In fact, it’s arguably the original way of making things. And in Scandinavia, it’s practically a family tradition.
For centuries, Nordic craft culture treated the home as something you shape around real life: carpentered built-ins, fitted storage and sleeping quarters, and furniture made for the specific room. The best craftsmen made joinery that fit the space like a glove. Then came the great era of standardisation – and of course, standardisation did a lot of good. It made quality accessible, it streamlined construction, and it allowed components and systems to be combined reliably. Dimensions became predictable.
“The best craftsmen made joinery that fit the space like a glove.”
But when you work in renovations, you are immediately reminded of a key aspect: standard components assume a standard world. And older buildings may not co-operate with something straight out of the box. You can have the best intentions, the best drawings, the best planning (and the best coffee): still, a building from 1910 may well politely ignore all that. Dimensions drift; corners aren’t quite straight; floor build-ups vary; and sometimes the most important part of the brief is not to modernise, but to convincingly recreate what was there. Then, the too-familiar standard look won’t do.
Customisation is used extensively in modern buildings, too. It can help add personal touches, achieve a specific aesthetic, and make furniture fit unusually sized or shaped rooms. And of course some settings need special consideration due to health and safety issues.
So it’s no surprise that, across industries, we are seeing a surge in customisation again. This doesn’t necessarily mean that everything is suddenly handmade – we also see bespoke outcomes made easier by smarter processes.
Clients increasingly want their rooms to reflect their actual habits, needs and tastes. This may include a tailored kitchen workflow (how many of you will be working alongside each other when cooking, for example?), a more accessible bathroom layout, or details such as storage that will actually hold all your shoes. Of course, many turn to DIY and ‘hacks’ to achieve these results – often inspired by online tutorials – but even skilled handymen may sometimes require tweaks to specialist products. (Our very own René Risom talks examples from the Unidrain range in the second part of this Inner Circle posting here)
Joinery is one of the key areas where customisation and mass production can be easily combined.
The essence of quiet luxury: getting things just right.
These days, mass production is everywhere, bringing great benefits in terms of affordability and democratic access. It can, however, make things rather samey. A made-to-fit solution can be a counterweight to the commonplace, offering differentiation and a sense that someone really paid attention.
When things just fit, physically and visually, we experience a sense of ease. The space works.
The Copenhagen-based company Garde Hvalsøe is a great example: They offer three kitchen designs that all reflect a very pared-back Nordic sensibility, yet have striking visual impact due to their obvious quality and craftsmanship. Even more interesting is their ‘Atelier’ service, where they create bespoke interiors – including bathrooms and even houseboats! – in collaboration with clients, architects and designers. International clients have taken note: the Danish workshop has created interiors for homes in New York and London. Their designs have also been selected for the private kitchens of some of the world’s most celebrated Michelin chefs.
