A well-organized entryway sets the tone for the rest of the home – it’s where we greet friends and family hello and goodbye, after all – and few know this better than Swedish brand Essem. Since the 1930s, the company has perfected the art of functional, lasting design with everything from benches to hooks. And since we can’t all jet off to Sweden, Essem is bringing its design legacy stateside, marking its United States debut with the new Classic Collection by Kauppi & Kauppi. With a fresh take on Essem’s beloved 1959 Classic Hat Rack and the new designs to round out the family, the collection blends heritage with contemporary style in a cheerful hue.
Although the original Classic Hat Rack, designed by Gunnar Bolin more than six decades ago, was created in a different era, its timeless form has never gone out of style – cementing it as an icon in Swedish design history. Inspired by its elegant curved corners and functional simplicity, Kauppi & Kauppi honors the original design while adapting it to today’s homes. “The hat rack is such an iconic and recognizable item with its simple, straightforward form, made from bent metal tubes and a flat net,” Kauppi & Kauppi explains. “Our design take has been to contribute and expand the range with entirely new and independent designs, utilizing some of the Classic materials and dimensions – but also add something new, pointing in a new direction.”
Each piece in the new Classic Collection balances utility with a touch of playfulness. The freestanding coat stand rises with an airy, bow-like top, while the hallway mirror doubles as a storage solution with integrated hooks for keys or hats. A slim peg rail, a hook loop reminiscent of the 1950s hat rack, and wall-mounted knobs in two sizes keep clutter off the floor while adding graphic simplicity to the wall. Staying true to the company’s values, each piece is designed to last, with replaceable parts and thoughtful construction that ensure longevity. Finished in Essem’s signature “Sun Yellow,” these functional objects become joyful focal points, brightening even the most utilitarian spaces.
The new Classic Collection marks not only an exciting chapter for Essem but also an invitation to bring Swedish functionality and enduring style into American homes. It carries forward the brand’s philosophy of sustainability and simplicity – a guiding principle since the 1930s and a testament to timeless design.
To learn more about the Classic Collection by Kauppi & Kauppi for Essem, visit essem.se.
Photography courtesy of Essem.
