Poetic Modernism: The Inspiration Behind the &Tradition Thorvald Collection
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Time to read 4 min
&Tradition is a brand built on a legacy of Danish design, craftsmanship and a respect for design history. Their furniture and homeware collections are known and renowned internationally, often seen furnishing beautiful design-led homes around the globe. Blending reissued twentieth-century classics with contemporary work from leading designers, their collection feels equally relevant in modern homes and historic interiors.
Among their best-known reissues are design classics such as the Little Petra Chair by Viggo Boesen, the Flowerpot Lamp by Verner Panton and the RD2 Daystak Desk by Robin Day. Alongside these icons, &Tradition regularly collaborate with contemporary designers, developing beautiful pieces that respond to modern lifestyles and homes.
One of the most notable recent additions is the Thorvald Collection, a sculptural outdoor furniture series created by the Copenhagen based studio, Space Copenhagen.
Featuring the &Tradition Thorvald Bistro Set
Founded in 2005 by Signe Bindslev Henriksen and Peter Bundgaard, the multidisciplinary studio has become internationally recognised for its atmospheric interior design, furniture, lighting and art direction. Their work spans private homes, hotels, restaurants and galleries across the world, yet their approach remains deeply connected to their home city.
Defining their philosophy as “Poetic Modernism”, they have an intuitive approach to design, creating harmonious surroundings and objects that feel both functional and emotionally engaging. Their designs often explore the interplay of opposites and contrasts, finding balance between two extremities. The play between light and shadow, sculpture and minimalism, structure and softness are clearly visible in their design for the Thorvald outdoor furniture collection.
Featuring the Signe Bindslev Henriksen and Peter Bundgaard two of the founders of Space Copenhagen
Inspiration from the Thorvaldsens Museum
The Thorvald collection takes its name from Bertel Thorvaldsen, one of Denmark’s most celebrated artists. His work is housed in the Thorvaldsens Museum, a remarkable neoclassical museum located in the heart of Copenhagen.
Opened in 1848 the museum has a pivotal place within Danish history as it was the first museum open to the public. It was built to house Thorvaldsen’s sculptures, artworks, library and personal collections, all of which he wished to bequeath to the Danish nation. The building itself is as striking as the works it contains. Inspired by antiquity, its neoclassical architecture references classical Greek and Roman forms. The interiors are richly decorated with bold colours, mosaics, friezes and ornate ceilings.
Within these colourful architectural spaces stand Thorvaldsen’s crisp white marble sculptures. Their organic curves and quiet, monumental forms contrast with the linear nature of neoclassical architecture and the expressive surroundings. It's this opposition that inspired the design of Space Copenhagen’s Thorvald collection.
Rather than directly referencing classical ornament and historic form, Space Copenhagen translated these influences into a contemporary design language. The gently curved metal frames contrast with linear grid-patterned seats and tabletops. This balance between curve and structure echoes the museum’s dialogue between architecture and sculpture.
Light, Shadow and Sculptural Form
The Thorvald collection’s powder-coated steel construction gives each piece a sense of lightness and transparency. The open grid structure allows light to pass through the furniture, casting subtle shadows that shift throughout the day. This small but significant detail feels particularly resonant for in outdoor settings, where the quality can be enjoyed to full effect.
Seen from different angles, Thorvald chairs and tables take on a quietly sculptural character. Their silhouettes offer a visual softness that contrasts with the strength of the steel construction. The curved shapes are also slightly reminiscent of traditional café furniture, brought up to date with the grid detailing and creating something that is both familiar and fresh. The is a careful balance between practicality and poetry; a theme that lies at the core of Space Copenhagen’s design philosophy.
Designed for Outdoor Living
While the Thorvald collection draws inspiration from Danish art and architecture, it was also shaped by everyday life in Copenhagen. Outdoor spaces are increasingly central to the city’s culture, with cafes, restaurants, squares and waterfront areas integrating outdoor living into daily routines and encouraging people to spend more time outside.
In this cosmopolitan setting, the Thorvald collection feels entirely at home. Pieces from the collection can often be seen outside design-led cafes, bars and restaurants across the city. The spirit of relaxed outdoor living sits at the heart of the collection. As Space Copenhagen describe it, Thorvald provides a spot to “enjoy a pause, conversation, drink, or a meal under the open sky”. Honouring its roots, Thorvald can also be seen within the Thorvaldsens Museum, situated inside the museum’s interior courtyard.
How to Style Thorvald in Your Garden
Balancing sculptural form with everyday practicality, the &Tradition Thorvald outdoor furniture collection captures the essence of contemporary Danish design. Bring a touch of Copenhagen’s design culture to outdoor spaces with our styling tips.
Due to its simple elegance, Thorvald looks good in both urban and rural outdoor spaces. Place it in a sunny patch on a paved patio or gravel courtyard to see its sculptural shadows at their best. We recommend mirroring the curved nature of its design somewhere in your outdoor space, whether that be in gently curving flowerbeds, rounded pots or architectural details.
Thorvald works well in gardens where textural details are highlighted. The grid pattern on the seats works beautifully with trellises or rustic bare walls. It also contrasts well with natural features that add warmth and softness to a space like wooden cladding or lush, verdant planting.
Showroom tip: Style Thorvald as it was intended with one of our curated Thorvald Garden Furniture Sets. We have created these to suit all kinds of spaces and lifestyles, making it easy to bring a coordinating look to your garden.
Explore the full &Tradition Thorvald collection to discover chairs, tables and café furniture designed for relaxed outdoor spaces.
For more of &Tradition, browse our collection of &Tradition furniture, lighting and homeware
See &Tradition Thorvald pieces styled in the beautiful outside space of Coret Coffee in Bath.
Written by Tomas Dobbins:
Tomas is our Store Manager, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. When he’s not keeping the website in shape, you’ll likely find him at home with headphones on - either deep into a new game or lost in a playlist.