BoConcept
First born in Denmark in 1952, BoConcept brings luxury Scandinavian design to the forefront of Australian interior design.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Courtesy of BoConcept
The Adelaide dining chair by BoConcept. Photo: Courtesy of BoConcept.
The Princeton dining chair by BoConcept. Photo: Courtesy of BoConcept.
Over 65 years ago, the cabinetmakers Jens Ærthøj and Tage Mølholm founded BoConcept in the sleepy town of Herning, Denmark, with the intention of launching a brand that represented their minimalist values and honest craftsmanship.
In 1952, the two designers introduced ideals of a pared-down aesthetic of Danish Functionalism in the smooth movement of the iconic extendable teak dining table and the accompanying dining chair, designed by architect Arne Wahl.
Honouring tradition, today, the headquarters of BoConcept sit on the same location they acquired in 1962; however, no longer the modest brand of Ærthøj and Mølholm, the company has grown to over three hundred stores in over sixty countries.
BoConcept design, produce and sell contemporary furniture, accessories and lighting working with a select group of designers who adopt Ærthøj and Mølholm’s early philosophies of ‘simplicity, craftsmanship, elegant functionality and quality materials.’
Alongside their luxury Scandinavian design pieces, the brand has grown to include in-home or store interior design service that continues to echo their strong Danish heritage. The Crows Nest store interior designer, Jack Peacock, reveals, ‘Danish design sits perfectly alongside the Australian design aesthetic, favouring classic, well-crafted pieces that are made for a comfortable and laidback lifestyle.’
‘As we are all spending more time at home, there has been a major shift to focus on the quality of pieces,’ he continues. ‘It's an easy connection to make between the desire for quality and comfort in Australian homes and the simplicity and design offered by Danish.’
‘Rooted in simplicity and clever design, Danish modernist furniture informed a lot of Australian furniture design, namely Parker Furniture, which has seen a massive resurgence in the past few years,’ says Jack Peacock from BoConcept. Photo: Courtesy of BoConcept.
‘Our iconic Imola Chair (pictured) makes an instant statement in any room and harkens back to Danish mid-century design whilst still looking sleek and contemporary,’ says Jack Peacock from BoConcept. Photo: Courtesy of BoConcept.
The Vienna dining chair by BoConcept. Photo: Courtesy of BoConcept.
“BoConcept is driven by creating great quality furniture pieces, which is directly linked to ensuring our suppliers and the supply chain is also top quality and sustainable.”
The Indivi sofa by BoConcept. Photo: Courtesy of BoConcept.
Danish furniture has long held inspiration in the Australian design market—take the well-loved Parker Furniture, fast becoming a household name again after their successes over 60 years ago. ‘Clients are increasingly coming to us looking for durability, comfort and functionality—a direct reflection of the current global context,’ Jack points out. ‘This is coming through with a strong desire for organic, curving forms designed to be enjoyed and lived in.’
Some of Jack’s favourite pieces that honour this classic form include the Indivi sofa range, including two new modules that invite an organic and rounded shape. ‘The rounded chaise Indivi is one of my favourite pieces in the collection… we've recently brought it into the Crows Nest Showroom in our Golden Beige Napoli fabric, which is a striking, bright nod to mid-century design,’ he adds.
The brand work with a range of designers, including Danish Morten Georgsen, who came on board in the early 1990s. Jack shares, ‘the majority of our clever, highly functional wall storage systems have been designed by Georgsen, as well as a number of our key dining and living pieces, including the Kingston Table and Princeton Chair.’
Another stand out designer — Henrik Pedersen, who, Jack explains, ‘is driven by the desire to create warm minimalism in the home. His design language leans into natural curves and clean lines, with a major focus on honesty of materiality, form and finish.’
These designers, with their clean minimal furniture pieces that orient themselves to organic form and honest craft, are also reflected in the ethos of the company. BoConcept holds itself to a social commitment and sense of corporate responsibility, belonging to Global Compact, a United Nations organisation driven by ten principles relating to human rights, labour, environmental impact and anti-corruption.
BoConcept reveals the endurance of quality design and a philosophy that upholds both a fair industry and collectable pieces you’ll cherish for generations.
‘BoConcept is driven by creating and maintaining great quality furniture pieces, which is directly linked to ensuring our suppliers and the supply chain is also top quality and sustainable,’ says Jack Peacock from BoConcept. Pictured: Augusta dining table and Vienna chairs. Photo: Courtesy of BoConcept.