GRACE armchair design by Mats Theselius.
This armchair adventure began when I was asked* to design an armchair made with copper panels from the roof of the Högalidskyrkan church. The cleats had rusted and all the panels were being replaced as part of a major refurbishment prior to the centennial anniversary in summer 2023.
But the idea of using roof panels for armchairs was not new.
Because I had used the copper panels from the roof of Sigurd Lewerentz’s church in Klippan ten years earlier. I happened to be at the right place just when they were redoing the roof, and it struck me that I could make the outer casing for an armchair out of the panels, a reincarnation of the material.
After ruminating on whether or not this would be repeating myself, I eventually found something new and alluring in the task. The use of old roof metal for my armchairs seemed to have its own evolution, so why not?
Designed by Ivar Tengbom and inaugurated in 1923, the Högalidskyrkan church is a fine example of Swedish neoclassicism. Swedish Grace, as the style is also called, has always intrigued me.
You can see that in many of my designs. But it was this project that made me realise quite how much that period has meant to me.
As I immersed myself in the design process, a special feeling of having gone full circle began to emerge. I somehow revisited the past and then returned to the present. Not just on a personal level but also more generally. The fascination with classicism is underpinned by a quest for timeless values. Partly to attain monumentality but also sustainability, which is highly relevant today.
My work on designing this armchair has been a kind of improvisation or play on the theme of Swedish Grace. It was all about finding nuances, colours and combinations of materials that were common in, or could be associated with that period.
The back and sides consist of a laminated base that is improved and slightly larger than the previous models. The padding is slimmer to achieve a light elegance.
The oxidised roof sheets are left unprocessed, because I find them so expressive the way they are.
The legs are cast in bronze and patinated. The bronze material adds weight and heightens the sense of quality.
The badge on the armchair is made of pewter, with Roman monumental lettering.
The crosses on the backrest buttons mimic the ones on the Högalidskyrkan spires.
The name Grace is from Swedish Grace, of course, but it also has many other connotations,
including elegance and virtue.
Mats Theselius
* by Sven Löwenberg, who is in charge of the church restoration.
HEADOFFICE
KÄLLEMO AB, Box 605, 331 26 Värnamo, Sweden
T:+46 (0)370 150 00 F:+46 (0)370 150 60 info@kallemo.se
SHOWROOM
KÄLLEMO AB, Södermalmsallén 36, 118 28 Stockholm, Sweden
T: 073-7093509, +46 (0)370 150 00
More news from Källemo:
Johan Linton: In Time – Beyond Time. Two Furniture Objects by Erik Gunnar Asplund
In Time – Beyond Time. GA-1 & GA-2 Gunnar Asplund’s (1885 – 1940) GA-1 and …
Källemo’s exhibition “Dare to Dream” @ 3daysofdesign
Källemo, renowned for its timeless and visionary furniture, is proud to announce its first solo …
Exhibition Alter Ego with Källemo @ SouthernSwedenDesignDays
Exhibition Alter Ego 23-25 May 2024 Real conviction, artificial methods With its iconic design objects …
Gunnar Asplund´s furniture GA-1 and GA-2 are making a comeback on the modern design scene – Källemo
We are delighted to announce the reintroduction of the GA-1 chair and GA-2 easy chair, …
Ono, Duo, Quattro – This series is really about construction, plain and pure lines exquisitely joined together by Pierre Sindre – Källemo
ONO, DUO, QUATTRO This series is really about construction, plain and pure lines exquisitely joined …
Cassis table – The tables look like tables design by Mats Theselius – Källemo
Since I’ve hardly designed any tables, I often get asked if I could draw …
Using old roofing sheets for my armchairs seemed to have its own evolution – Mats Theselius – Källemo
GRACE armchair design by Mats Theselius. This armchair adventure began when I was asked* to …
Inside Swedish Design @ 3daysofdesign 15-17 June 2022
Inside Swedish Design Inside Swedish Design promotes awareness, values and innovative elements in the Swedish …
Typical design language with generous comfort and a high degree of craftsmanship in the design by Mats Theselius
The GRACE armchair has Mats Theselius’ typical design language with generous comfort and a high …
Botero barstool design by Matti Klenell & Peter Andersson – Collection Källemo
BOTERO Design by Matti Klenell & Peter Andersson Arm chair in ash and leather or …
This year Källemo present, among other things, Mats Theselius’ latest creation Grace – Collection Källemo
GRACE Mats Theselius. Seat and back in cold foam. Inside upholstered with leather. Outside with …
Källemo Art & Design pop up @ Nääs Fabriker
September 2 – October 31, 2020 Furniture is a concept with a will of its …
Limited Pilaster in Royal Oak from Visingsö – Källemo
JOHN KANDELL’S PILASTER shelf has turned thirty years old. We are celebrating by presenting an …
Easy Chair Koppar by Mats Theselius – Källemo
“THE IDEA FOR THIS CHAIR goes back to cubism and early `machine´ functionalism — Juan …
Ridå by Sofia Johansson & Lovisa Sandström – Källemo
“THE BRIEF for our school assignment was a furniture piece for an entrance or hallway …
Ettore by Åsa Jungnelius – Källemo
“THE IDEA FOR THIS TABLE sprung from a huge interior commission I’m working on — …
Safari by David Ericsson – Källemo
“IT DOESN’T SOUND that contemporary, but this chair, which we launched last year, is inspired …
Björn by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
“IT WAS REALLY QUITE SIMPLE. I made a chair for my daughter Beatrix a few …
Café Table NM by Afteroom – Källemo
CAFÉ TABLE NM by Afteroom Concrete base, table top in metal and leather. Adjustable in …
Safari by David Ericsson – Källemo
SAFARI by David Ericsson Steel frame with self-supporting canvas. Seat and back in fabric or …
Armstrong by Mats Theselius – Källemo
ARMSTRONG by Mats Theselius Aluminum, leather. Armrest in birch. H 73, W 62, D 57, …
National Geographic by Mats Theselius – Källemo
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC by Mats Theselius Glass doors. Stained in green, brass details. Base in oiled …
Loggia by Praise of Shadows – Källemo
LOGGIA by In Praise of Shadows Table top and seat in Accoya. Base in cast …
WowMom by Eva Mag – Källemo
WOWMOM by Eva Mag Corian. Shelves in ash, mahogany, walnut, palisander, metal, aluminum and plexiglass. H …
Årsring by Kristoffer Sundin – Källemo
ÅRSRING by Kristoffer Sundin Sandblasted pine. Foot rest in aluminum. H 65-85, Ø 31,5 cm. …
Theselius Noir easychair by Mats Theselius – Källemo
NOIR design by Mats Theselius Black oxide steel plate, legs in black-anodized aluminum. Black leather …
Theselius Noir design by Mats Theselius – Källemo
NOIR by Mats Theselius Black oxide steel plate, legs in black-anodized aluminum. Black leather Wild …
Brokk café table by Pierre Sindre – Källemo
BROKK CAFÉ TABLE by Pierre Sindre Table top in moulded ash, solid square steel frame. …
Al Dente by Last – Källemo
AL DENTE by LAST Hangers in steel. Available in five different models and four colours; …
Källemo @ Stockholm Furniture Fair 2019
Welcome to Källemo at the Stockholm Furniture Fair 5–9 February 2019. Stand A10:16 HEADOFFICE KÄLLEMO …
Källemo på Nationalmuseum
Källemo på Nationalmuseum Nyöppnade Nationalmuseum är en succé. Vi är glada över att ha fått …
Loggia – A set of furniture designed by In Praise of Shadows in collaboration with Källemo
Together with Källemo In Praise of Shadows has developed a bench, a table and a …
Gräddhyllan by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
Gräddhyllan Shelf. Cast aluminium, ash. h 21, w 100/160 d 22/30 cm Design Anna Kraitz …
Skissernas chair by Elding Oscarson – Källemo
The chair was made for Skissernas Museum in Lund by Elding Oscarson the winner of the …
Bruno sofa by Mats Theselius – Källemo
The icon easy chair Bruno har extended into a sofa. BRUNO SOFA by Mats Theselius …
Birch Cabinet / Björkskåpet by David Ericsson – Källemo
BJÖRKSKÅPET by David Ericsson Birch, mirror, birch bark, glass. Limited edition of 99 pcs. h …
Windsor design by Pierre Sindre – Källemo
WINDSOR by Pierre Sindre High with neck pillow or low, frame in oak, swivel base …
Bänk by Gustav Person – Källemo
BÄNK by Gustav Person Solid ash; natural or stained. Leather seat. Mountable without screws. h …
Brus by Jenny Nordberg – Källemo
Brus by Jenny Nordberg H40 Ø80 cm Cast aluminium legs. Table top in ash; natural …
Sven by Mats Theselius – Källemo
Sven by Mats Theselius H50 L120 D60 cm Legs in chrome or coppered. Table top …
Valv by Pierre Sindre – Källemo
Valv by Pierre Sindre H74 Ø125 cm Engineered coloured wood. Steel legs. Stand A18: …
Ulla-la sofa design by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
Ulla-la by Anna Kraitz H72 L225 D89 S.H52 cm Wood frame. Nosag seat botton. Loose …
Frame design by Mats Theselius – Källemo
Frame by Mats Theselius H75 D63 W63 S.H41 cm Lasercut steelframe. Armrest in ebony. …
Källemo @ Stockholm Furniture Fair
Welcome to meet us at the booth and experience the news designed by… Stand A18: …
Hyllad Hylla – John Kandell
Travar med böcker liggandes på golvet i vardagsrummet, just så fick John Kandell idén till …
Korg by Mats Theselius – Källemo
KORG by Mats Theselius Steel frame in chrome or copper. Moulded frame in ash, down …
Sven by Mats Theselius – Källemo
SVEN by Mats Theselius Table top in limestone. Steel frame in chrome or copper. h …
Trixie by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
TRIXIE by Anna Kraitz Moulded seat and back. 7 buttons. Legs in massive oak. Fabric …
National Geographics by Mats Theselius – Källemo
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC by Mats Theselius 25 year anniversary edition, limited edition of 220 pcs. height …
A´EKI by Sigurdur Gustafsson – Källemo
A´EKI by Sigurdur Gustafsson Plexiglass, gold leaf. Limited edition of 19 pcs. h 100, w …
Chester sofa by Thomas Sandell / Pierre Sindre – Källemo
CHESTER SOFA by Thomas Sandell / Pierre Sindre Powder coated steel frame. Shell of formfelt. …
Vienna by Pierre Sindre – Källemo
VIENNA by Pierre Sindre Steelframe, powder coated or oiled black oxide. Back in quilted fabric …
Årets möbel 2015 – Chester design Thomas Sandell & Pierre Sindre
Thomas Sandell och Pierre Sindre får Sköna hems utmärkelse Årets möbel 2015 för sin moderna, …
Anno design by Sigurdur Gustafsson – Källemo
ANNO by Sigurdur Gustafsson Solid oak, metal connections. Limited edition of 99 pcs. Wood covered …
Plint design by Gustav Person – Källemo
PLINT by Gustav Person Solid ash, leather. Mountable without screws height 45 length 120 alt. …
Point table design by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
POINT by Anna Kraitz Steel frame. Table top in wood with metal ring. Rubber endings …
Happy 25th anniversary! Pilaster by John Kandell
Pilaster bookshelf designed by John Kandell 1989 for Källemo PILASTER, John Kandell Art. 754. h …
Om trä – möbler med tanke 2014 @ Stockholms Auktionsverk
Utställning på Stockholms auktionsverk: “Om trä – möbler med tanke” 26 augusti – 5 …
Brokk by Pierre Sindre – Källemo
BROKK by Pierre Sindre BROKK stackable table Stackable table, matt chrome or powder coated square …
Ingo by Mats Theselius – Källemo
INGO easychair Rivet prime leather. Seat in leather with latex foam. Steel frame in chrome …
Panda family design by Matti Klenell – Källemo
New members in the family! Panda is an upholstered easy chair where a big …
Selfie by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
SELFIE Wooden frame with sound absorbing filling. Leather belt or leather pigtails. Casted aluminiumlegs and …
Pussel by Gustav Person – Källemo
PUSSEL stool Birch with self locking tripod. h 46, Ø 34 cm Design by Gustav …
Spänna table by Gustav Person – Källemo
SPÄNNA table Birch with self exciting undercarriage (without screws). h 72, l 244, d 87 …
Trixie by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
TRIXIE conference chair Moulded seat and back. 7 buttons. Steel legs in chrome or coppered. …
Källemo at the Stockholm Furniture Fair 2014
Stockholm Furniture Fair Möt oss i monter A:25:28. Nyheter: Matti Klenell Anna Kraitz Gustav Person …
Swedish Midsummer Design Weekend
Explore the unique collaboration between leading Swedish design producers on a VIP design tour in …
Sindre chair by Pierre Sindre – Källemo
SINDRE stackable chair by Pierre Sindre, in matt chromed or powder coated square steel. Seat …
Blanche design by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
Armchair BLANCHE by Anna Kraitz Molded wood frame, chromed steel legs. armrest. In leather. Upholstered …
Armchair Club design by Mats Theselius – Källemo
Armchair CLUB by Mats Theselius, molded wood frame, steel base coated with tin or black …
Fotstool Bruno design by Mats Theselius – Källemo
Fotstool BRUNO by Mats Theselius Leather, steel frame in chrome or copper. Pall BRUNO …
Easychair Panda design by Matti Klenell – Källemo
Easychair PANDA by Matti Klenell Frame of solid ash. Moulded seat and back. Fabric or …
Holmen design by Kristian Knobloch – Källemo
Holmen by Kristian Knobloch Frame of solid birch, down filled back cushions with leather straps. …
Hommage á Sigurd Lewerentz by Mats Theselius – Källemo
Verdigris coated copper plates from the Petri Church in Klippan. Armrests in ebony, coppered steelframe. …
Äntligen – ett fullgott alternativ by Fredrik Wretman
Object, Lamp. “Finally – an satisfactory alternative” by Fredrik Wretman HEADOFFICE KÄLLEMO AB, …
Mama Look chest of drawers by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
MAMA LOOK, chest of drawers by Anna Kraitz Lacquered frame, turned wooden legs, braided leather …
Telegraph Road design by Erika Lagerbielke – Källemo
Telegraph Road, coathanger. Turned ash, natural or lacquered. H 190, d 40, w 68 . Design …
Imagine mirror design Anna Kraitz – Källemo
Mirror, frame upholstered in fabric or leather, silver soldered brass endings, brassplat. H. 184, w …
Gårdshult garden chair by John Kandell – Källemo
Gårdshult, garden chair by John Kandell Frame in oiled oak, sunshade seating and roof. Adjustable …
Huring a petite tray table by Lina Huring – Källemo
A petite tray table for some cheese and wine, a social piece of furniture with …
Spectra is a modern and simple sofa designed by Matti Klenell – Källemo
Spectra, is a modern and simple sofa designed by Matti Klenell for Källemo. The Spectra …
Coathanger Babe design by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
“NOBODY PUTS BABE IN A CORNER” This type of coat stand is so good and …
Crawling table design by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
Before you learn how to walk, you learn how to crawl. Tables never learned how …
Rondo bar stool design by Jakob Thau – Källemo
Stool / bar stool. Turned legs and seat in ash, natural or stained in standard …
Darjeeling trolley by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
Darjeeling is a trolley with steel frame and wooden boards. Darjeeling, designed by Anna Kraitz, …
Spot sidetable design by Staffan Holm – Källemo
The Spot sidetable is inspired by traditional dove tail joints. The table has removable legs …
Birdland Easychair by Mats Theselius – Källemo
Easychair. Birch veneer backrest, chrome, steel, corian armrest, Tärnsjö leather. Limited edition of 360 pcs. …
Erik Chambert 31/10-10/1 2010 @ Moderna Museet
Stockholm – 31 oktober 2009 – 10 januari 2010 Erik Chambert var bildkonstnär, men i …
Aluminium sofa design by Mats Theselius – Källemo
ALUMINIUM sofa, Design Mats Theselius L 140, D 61, H 73, SH 45 cm. Mats …
Axplock från Källemo 12/6–1/8 2010
Utställning 12/6–1/8 2010. Lidköpings Konsthall. http://www.lidkopingskonstforening.se/konsthallen.aspx
Pinocchio by Mats Theselius – Källemo
Pinocchio design by Mats Theselius h. 75, d 44, b, 37, sh. 45 Chair. Solid …
Ozon design by Jonas Bohlin – Källemo
This year we have the pleasure to show two new models by Jonas Bohlin. Skåp …
Mama Look sofa by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
Mama look av Anna Kraitz L. 182, d. 69, h. 78, sh. 42 Soffa. Trästomme. …
The easychair Star Limited Edition has it´s background in Mats Theselius passion in, and life with music – Källemo
Star Limited Edition design by Mats Theselius h 82, w 59, d 62 cm Pearl, …
It’s good to hold back the table-surface, otherwise it might outgrow its limits by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
A CAPELLA It’s good to hold back the table-surface, otherwise it might outgrow its limits. …
BEATRIX named after my beloved daughter design by Anna Kraitz – Källemo
BEATRIX Named after my beloved daughter. The buttons on the back move the observer from …
Easy chair GA-2 1930 design by Gunnar Asplund – Källemo
Easy chair GA-2 1930 by Gunnar Asplund steelframe in crome or powderpaint. fabric or leather …
Easy chair ARMADILLO by Jakob Thau – Källemo
Easy chair ARMADILLO by Jakob Thau steel frame or swivel base in chrome or powder …
Chair & table KIASMA by Vesa Honkonen – Källemo
Chair KIASMA by Vesa Honkonen steel frame, seat in tranparent plastic. h 82 w 51, …
Chair KONCEPT by Sigurdur Gustafsson – Källemo
Chair KONCEPT by Sigurdur Gustafsson steel frame in chrome, seat and back in fabric or …
Armchair STOCKHOLM 30 by Gustav Clason – Källemo
Armchair STOCKHOLM 30 by Gustav Clason, 1856 – 1930 If you look in the rearview …
Table TRAPETS design by Mats Theselius – Källemo
Table TRAPETS by Mats Theselius Lacquered steel table with pull-out drawer cassettes, pad in core …
Armchair THESELIUS / WOOD by Mats Theselius – Källemo
Armchair THESELIUS / WOOD by Mats Theselius Molded frame in birch, oak or lasered in …
Table CONCRETE JUNGLE design by Jonas Bohlin – Källemo
Table CONCRETE JUNGLE by Jonas Bohlin Black lacquered steel base. Disc in concrete. Supplied with …
Chair TATI, the art of biking design by Johan Linton – Källemo
The art of biking In the movie ”Jour de fête” Jacques Tati plays the bicycle-riding …
Easy chair ATLANTIC by Mats Theselius – Källemo
Easy chair ATLANTIC by Mats Theselius Mats Theselius does it again: An easy chair in …
Att skriva är en kärlekshandling 7/6-21/8 2005 @ Thorvaldsens Museum
På Thorvaldsens Museum, Köpenhamn öppnades den 7 juni en utställning om H.C. Andersens erövring av …
Spring sofa, signed and handpainted by Jonas Bohlin, 1992 – Collection Källemo
JONAS BOHLIN, a “Spring” sofa, signed and handpainted Blackened iron, crescent shaped, upturned openwork back …