Header: Andy Liffner
A blank sheet of paper. A sustainable conversation starter. A moment of calm. These are the foundations of three distinct design bars set to transform the social landscape of Stockholm Furniture Fair this February. Each space tells its own story about the future of design, proving that a bar can be much more than just a place to grab a drink.
The fair’s commitment to sustainability and innovation takes physical form in these thoughtfully crafted spaces, each one pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in design. From paper architecture to circular systems, these bars serve as living laboratories for the industry’s most pressing conversations.
The Paper Bar: Where ideas take shape
“We wanted to capture that electric moment just before creation,” says Fyra, the Helsinki-based design agency behind The Paper Bar. Their space celebrates paper in all its forms – that humble material that’s launched a million ideas. Working with partners like Vaarnii and Artek for furniture, and Metsä Group for cutting-edge cellulose fiber solutions, they’ve created a space that feels both ephemeral and substantial. A stage area, curated in partnership with Dezeen and Disegno Journal, transforms the bar into a hub for design discourse.
Material Dialogues: Exhibition space and sustainability workshop
Just across the fair, Swedish designer Emma Olbers takes a different approach with Material Dialogues. Her bar doubles as an exhibition space and sustainability workshop, where visitors can trace the environmental impact of design decisions in real time. “I’ve searched, discussed, and spoken with people to discover new materials and ideas,” Olbers explains. “This isn’t just about showcasing solutions – it’s about starting conversations that matter.”
Olbers’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond the physical space. Star chef Paul Svensson has crafted a menu that considers carbon footprint alongside flavor, while partners like Variable and Stena Circular Consulting ensure every aspect of the bar meets rigorous environmental standards.
Just a Bar: Finding beauty in simplicity
For those seeking refuge from the fair’s creative intensity, All Matters Studio offers “En Bar Bara” – “Just a Bar” in Swedish. But don’t let the modest name fool you. At its heart sits a six-meter masterpiece: a special edition of their Frame_05 table, crafted from aluminum profiles and natural stone. “We prefer simplicity in our design language,” says Fredrik Widén, Founding Partner at All Matters Studio. “Let the materials speak for themselves.”
The studio’s collaboration with flooring manufacturer Bolon pushes creative boundaries, using materials in unexpected ways. Bolon’s Elements collection appears not just underfoot, but climbing walls and shaping furniture, all in nature-inspired hues that create a sense of calm amid the fair’s energy.
A new chapter in design dialogue
These three spaces represent more than just places to pause and refresh. They’re physical manifestations of design’s biggest questions: How can we innovate with traditional materials? What does true sustainability look like? How do we balance function with artistry? As the Stockholm Furniture Fair opens its doors this February, these bars invite visitors to pull up a chair and join the conversation.
The Stockholm Furniture Fair runs February 4-8, 2025, at Stockholmsmässan, coinciding with Stockholm Design Week (February 3-9). Each bar offers its own perspective on design’s future, proving that sometimes the most important conversations happen not in conference rooms, but over a thoughtfully crafted drink in a thoughtfully crafted space.
