Offering designs from up & coming designers, vintage products & culinary treats
Blåbär, a New Nordic Lifestyle store has opened its first concept store & café on Lacy Road.
Inspired by the hybrid café and retail concepts commonly found in
Scandinavia, Blåbär showcases unique homeware and accessories from up and
coming designers, vintage furniture and own branded products all in a café environment serving great coffee, open sandwiches and fika.
The emphasis is on creating an authentic setting, for customers to enjoy wholesome, fresh,
Nordic inspired foods and drinks in a relaxing and contemporary designed space. The organic
coffee and loose teas are from the Swedish speciality coffee roasters and tea merchants Johan & Nyström. On the menu is an assortment of fresh, real food including homemade breakfasts,
healthy salads, and smørrebrød (open top sandwiches) on Rye or Sourdough, with toppings
such as Gravad salmon, meatballs, and avocado. The treats are not to be missed, especially
the Swedish cinnamon buns.
The partners behind Blåbär are Sandra and Oliver. Sandra moved from Sweden to London 10
years ago and has worked as a product manager introducing Scandinavian brands to the UK.
She also introduced the Nordic culture and lifestyle to her partner Oliver, a Londoner, who has a
design & art background. An Art Director by profession, he has worked on feature films such as
Pirates of the Caribbean & Love Actually. Oliver, being influenced by Nordic nature, has
designed the contemporary space in Putney. Materials, such as the wood for the coffee bar,
has been brought over and re-used from Sandra's family country home in Sweden.
The space showcases the best from a new generation of Nordic designers comprising a
collection of tasteful homeware, interior details and lifestyle products. A focus for Blåbär is
quality and sustainability, so by working closely with the makers and designers many products
are unique and one of a kind. Almost everything in the space will be available to purchase -
from the furniture & lighting to the cups and plates in the cafe.
The lighting comes from the
Swedish brand Watt & Veke (incidentally from Sandra’s hometown) and the furniture is either
from the Danish design studio Frama, vintage / upcycled, or has been designed by Oliver under
the Blåbär brand. By constantly renewing the range, the space becomes ever-evolving.
Sandra says:“The Nordics is so inspirational, and we are excited to create a space allowing
people to experience the lifestyle. In a laidback atmosphere we are welcoming people to
discover unique design, meet with friends for a coffee, or just grab a cinnamon bun on the way
to work.“
February 12, 2016