We visited the studio of the Danish design duo Johannes Foersom & Peter Hiort-Lorenzen to talk about their approach to design and the journey behind the Bliss series.
Stepping into the studio of the legendary Danish design duo Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen is like entering a universe where craftsmanship and thoughtfulness outweigh trends and fleeting fashions. Known for their uncompromising approach to furniture design, they have spent decades shaping objects that balance function, form, and honesty. Unlike many contemporary designers who rely heavily on digital tools, the duo remains rooted in the tactile and immediate. “We don’t sketch on the computer. We draw by hand,” they explain, noting how every design begins with simple lines on paper before being translated into digital formats with the help of their team. This insistence on starting by hand is more than a preference—it’s a philosophy. Design for them is not about speed, but about presence, reflection, and respect for materials.
What makes good design?
When asked this, Peter and Johannes laugh and say: “What we make ourselves.” Then, more seriously: It’s about creating something that works, that solves the task it was set out to do. A chair that invites you to sit comfortably, a table that becomes part of daily rituals—objects that integrate seamlessly into life. Trends fade, but thoughtful design endures.
“Good design isn't about following fashion or ensuring commercial success. It's about creating something that works, that solves the task it was set out to do.”
Beyond fashion
For Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen, design has never been about chasing trends. They emphasize that while good design can sell well, sales are not what define quality. Instead, it’s about whether the object achieves what it set out to do—whether it enriches the daily lives of those who use it. The Bliss series is a testament to this belief: a chair that bridges tradition and modernity, craft and industry, material warmth and contemporary durability.
The material as starting point
Over their long careers, Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen have worked with everything from wood to metals and advanced composites. Yet the Bliss series has its roots in the deeply traditional material, rattan. The natural warmth of rattan, and the way light filters through woven patterns, shaped their early inspirations. The duo recalls being fascinated by Southeast Asian craft traditions, especially from the Indonesian island Java, where weaving techniques carried centuries of cultural depth.
But Bliss, as we know it today, is not made of rattan—it’s made of aluminium. The transition wasn’t planned. “It wasn’t the idea to move Bliss away from rattan,” they admit. After decades of working with Cane-line, it was time to explore new horizons and embrace a more durable, versatile outdoor solution. The challenge was enormous: aluminium and rattan are worlds apart.
And yet, Bliss became a success. Why? Because the design did not pretend. “The Bliss chair doesn’t disguise itself. It isn’t painted to look like rattan. It stands honestly in aluminium, while still carrying the DNA of rattan in its form.” The tubular aluminium construction captures the essence of woven patterns without imitating them. It’s a reminder that material itself holds value, and that when used with honesty, it can lead to something entirely new.
The Bliss collection is more than aluminium furniture—it is a story of transformation, of a material heritage translated into a new language, and of a duo whose design compass always points towards authenticity.
Explore the Bliss series here.
