10

KAJSA OCH NISSE STRINNING

10.

Because the system’s measurements haven’t changed

since 1949, older elements fit with brand new ones.

All the possible combinations make it fun to play

and try out different ideas. The second-hand market

constantly seems to hunger for Strings of any age,

colour or material.

String

®

often grows along with a family. Parents

might buy the smallest String

®

shelf, String

®

Pocket,

for their toddler’s first room. Then it is extended and

reconfigured over the years, as the children grow up,

until they finally move out – taking String

®

with them to

their new home.

String

®

is still made in Sweden, adhering to high-

quality standards and sustainability requirements.

Nisse and Kajsa Strinning continued to invent new

furniture until Nisse died in 2006. Many of these designs

were a great success, although none of them were

as appreciated as String

®

– or ”the damned shelf” as

Nisse lovingly called it. As if its creators were almost

a little jealous of their own offspring’s great success.

KAJSA & NISSE STRINNING. THE ARCHITECT COUPLE NISSE STRINNING

(1917–2006) AND KAJSA STRINNING (1922–2017) DEBUTED AS DESIGNERS WITH A

HUMBLE PLATE RACK USING STEEL WIRE, A TECHNIQUE THAT WOULD BE REFINED

OVER THE YEARS. IN 1949, THEY CREATED A SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN CLASSIC

WHEN THE STRING

®

SHELF WON THE BONNIER FOLK LIBRARY COMPETITION. A

FEW YEARS LATER, IN 1954, STRING

®

EARNED THEM THEIR FIRST INTERNATIONAL

DESIGN PRIZE, A GOLD MEDAL AT THE MILAN TRIENNIAL. AS RECENTLY AS 2020,

STRING

®

WASAWARDEDTHELONGLIFEDESIGNAWARDINJAPAN.NISSESTRINNING

KEPT ON WORKING UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 2006 AT THE AGE OF 89. HIS LAST DESIGN

WASSTRING

®

POCKET,WHICHWASLAUNCHEDBYSTRINGFURNITUREIN2005.