Scandinavian Spaces 2023
The concept behind the new Scandinavian Spaces showroom is to create a transcendental balance between work and play. A space that encourages the Swedish concept of "fika," the idea that one should sit and stay while conversing over a coffee and pastry. A tile detail reminiscent of the Stockholm train stations surrounds otherwise raw columns, another nod to the company's roots. A tranquil ceiling color immerses guests in thoughtful design and together with the playful furniture, will have a mood-boosting effect on one's experience. Much like the design of the furniture, the showroom will blend forms and mix materials to push boundaries.
A Showroom Built Around the Ritual of Fika
Scandinavian Spaces, a curator of Nordic furniture brands built by brothers Thomas and Robert Jönsson, came to Kuchar for a showroom that could carry its "Color. Design. Life." spirit onto the third floor of The Mart in Chicago. For its NeoCon 2023 debut in Suite 366, Kuchar designer Rachel Benitez built the concept around fika — the Swedish ritual of pausing to sit, talk, and share coffee. A fully working ScandiCafé anchors the room with a marble counter, while Stockholm subway-inspired tilework, a moss-covered arch, and a tranquil ceiling color set a cozy, intimate tone. Lit column "halos" guide visitors through the space, and a custom entrance mural welcomes them in. The result balances work and play, framing the brands Scandinavian Spaces represents in a distinctly Nordic sense of calm.
The best showrooms do not just present products; they give visitors a reason to slow down. A strong showroom design concept turns a manufacturer's floor into an environment — a place with a point of view, where furniture is experienced in context rather than lined up for inspection. Successful showroom design in Chicago pairs that atmosphere with the practical rhythm of a trade floor: clear wayfinding, comfortable places to gather, and displays that let each collection be seen and touched. Inside The Mart, where a corner suite competes with hundreds of neighbors, a distinctive concept is what earns a second look and a longer stay. A showroom that invites people to sit and linger does more for a brand than any product lineup on its own.
A Chicago Showroom Partner Who Designs the Whole Experience
Designing showrooms that turn products into experiences is our craft, and our team brings over 90 years of combined industry experience to every project. Kuchar pairs architectural rigor with each brand's identity, creating commercial spaces that feel as considered and welcoming as the collections they hold.