Iris Hantverk was founded in 1870 and was run by visually impaired craftsmen who lived across Sweden.

In 2012, Iris Hantverk lost its access to government subsidies that helped them employ visually impaired workers. As a result, the previous owner put Iris up for sale.

Two people, Sara Edhäll and Richard Sparrenhök put up their mortgages to buy the company. 

Iris is currently made up of seventeen people in Sandsborgsvägen, Enskede (Sweden), six of their employees are visually impaired craftsmen who have learned the craft of making brushing according to old Swedish tradition, additionally, Iris now works with visually impaired craftsmen from Estonia as well, as a solution to their loss of government subsidies. 

Their vision is to revive the traditional brush binding profession. By making functional products with good design combined with the quality of natural materials and the craftsmen's solid technique.

Our children are a big influence in the toys, stuffies, and activities we keep in stock. We love the look on our kiddo's faces when we they figure out a new puzzle, create a new masterpiece, or find a new friend. 

Welcome to eco-kids!

Eco-kids is a brand dedicated to: 

• Simplify children’s toys
• Remove gender/race biases from children’s products
• Create time and space for a child’s inner journey
• Emphasize the joy of discovery, imagination, creation, learning
• Engage parents and caregivers in their children’s playtime.
• Reduce screen time
• Reduce/eliminate unsustainable ingredients, packaging, and practices
• Reduce plastic use

What is not to love about a brand that's vision is to make playtime, playtime?!?

Time to disconnect, to be creative, and to build all while knowing eco-kids products are better for the environment and also safe for your children. 

View Eco-Kids Products

In 1917 Torbjørn Afdal was born in the Voss region of Norway. In 1946 Afdal graduated from the National Academy of Craft and Art Industry. He went on to work for Bruksbo Tegnekontor at the Bruksbo Drawing Office. 

As his career progressed he rose as the top designer at Bruksbo, and became extremely popular in post-war Norwegian design.

His designs are known for their minimal and captivating design - some of which were loved and owned by the likes of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and the Japanese Emperor of the time. Additionally, he designed the office of primeminister Gro Harlem Bruntland during her terms. 

Afdal primarily used teak and rosewood in his designs as well as leather and steel. His designs correspond to traditional scandinavian/Danish design, focusing on clean lines and ergonomic structure. 

At Golden Age Design you have seen items from Afdal like the wildly popular Krobo Bench (1960) and the Hunter Chair (1960-69, pictured below). 

PUBLIC GOODS 

From handsoap to chapstick, deodorant to dog shampoo, we stock some of our favorite PUBLIC GOODS' items in store. 

Why we love them: 

1. PUBLIC GOODS is committed to sustainability in all of their products.They steer away from classic wood and plastic and use bamboo primarily for their packaging needs. Their efforts slow down deforestation as bamboo can be harvested without killing it and bamboo grows back quickly.Additionally, most of their products are vegan as well as compostable/recyclable.
2. Using primarily essential oils and other natural cleaning ingredients, their bath products are free from Parabens, Phlathlets, Sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. This leaves you feeling good about what you're putting on your hair and body.
3. PUBLIC GOODS believes in simple and beautiful packaging that leaves a minimal footprint in your space - keeping your bathroom and kitchen feeling clean even when their products are still on the counter. 

In 1919 in Denmark, Kristian Illum Wikkelsø was born. He, like many other well known designers started his design career by studying cabinet making, graduating in 1940. He went on to study at the Copenhagen School of Arts & Crafts, graduating in 1943. 

After graduating he went on to work alongside Jacob Kjær, an architect and cabinet designer, winning many awards. He then started working with Mølgaard-Nielsen at his architectural firm Hvidt & Mølgaard.

In 1954 Wikkelsø moved to Aarhus, Denmark to start his own design firm.

His furniture is deeply inspired by nature, ergonomics, and comfort. Many of his lounge pieces feature low-slung seating, clean lines, and waves from the landscape of Denmark.

Illum Wikkelsø is one of the designers who truly marks the Golden Age of mid-century Scandinavian furniture design - with his most famous designs being from the 50's and 60's.

We are truly honored to have seen a few pieces make their way to our shop and into new homes. 

Have you ever imagined that you could talk to animals or spend time dreaming up an amazing fictional world? 

Maileg's vision is just that - inspiring children to step away from technology and focus on imagination through tangible play.

Based out of Denmark, Maileg focuses on creating products that inspire us all to think like children. 

 "In a busy world of bright lights, bells and whistles, where new stories are continually impressed upon us. Maileg is a world in which matchboxes can be beds for mice; princesses make perfect teatime companions; and adventures can be found on a friendly forest walk. It is a world where cats and mice are friends. Ours is a world of childhood imagination – and this is a world we value." - Maileg Website 

Who doesn't want a mouse in a matchbox with a pillow, blanket, and little mattress or a mouse with their own car, hiking backpack, or beach-house. We love their rattles, dollhouses, stuffed animals and well, really everything they make. In fact, their Little Hippo is my youngest daughter's"special teddy" that she sleeps with each night. 

We are inspired by intentional gift giving to the children (or children at heart) in our lives - gifts that stir our little dreamers. 

The Father of Danish furniture design, Kaare Klint was born in 1888 in Copenhagen. He took technical furniture classes under Jens Møller-Jensen and at the Artist's Studio School under Johan Rohde. He continued to learn architecture under Carl Peterson and his father Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint. 

His furniture is marked by its functionality, clean lines, craftsmanship, high-quality materials and its emphasis on accommodating the human body. His designs went on to inspire other well known designers such as Børge Mogensen and Poul Kjærholm. 

In addition to masterpieces of furniture, Kaare Klint also completed his fathers designs for Grundtvig's Church and Bethlehem Church, both in Copenhagen.

A true master of his trade, Kaare Klint is noted for his designs the Faaborg Chair (1914) and the Safari Chair (1933) which clearly showed his passion to study the function of furniture being equally yolked with its design. 

Golden Age Design is proud to currently have a set of Kaare Klint's Church Chair in shop. The Church Chair (1936) was the first chair used in place of traditional benches in Denmark and furnished Bethlehem Church in Copenhagen. 

There are few names in Scandinavian furniture that have received the same recognition as Johannes Andersen. If you've been following our shop for a while now you know that we have been honored to restore a few of his designs. 

Born in 1903, Johannes Andersen like many big names in the game, underwent a formal cabinet making apprenticeship. In the mid 30's, he started his own architectural workshop where he created the designs we love today. Johannes was inspired by creating functional pieces that are also extremely pleasing to any onlooker.

He took special attention to how a piece of furniture may be used, making sure it was comfortable and accessible. Additionally, his designs are iconic for their unique rounded or softer edges and shapes - creating something new for the eye. 

We love his designs. We hope you do too. 

Designed and created in Denmark, Meraki's organic products are created with self-care in mind. Meraki is dedicated to making products that are built around lifestyle. Their products are inspired by Scandinavian aesthetics, perfect for our shop. We love their hygge and we think you will too.

The Meraki products we carry include: 

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Lotion
• Hand Soap
• Pumice Stone
• Bottle Hanger - Brushed Steel/Brass

Let us know if you love them too!