The Fisherman Pendant

Architect Mattias Ståhlbom’s star rises a bit higher with every fabulous product he designs. The partner in the Stockholm-based studio TAF, which he founded with Gabriella Gustafson in 2002, claims his desire is to make life less ordinary by effecting subtle changes in how products and architecture are designed. Given his philosophy, it is no wonder TAF has gained international acclaim for its portfolio, which includes exhibitions, interior design projects and product design. Ståhlbom’s products have been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, and TAF designs are included in the permanent collections of Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and the Danish Design Museum in Copenhagen. We at Global Lighting are excited to bring Ståhlbom’s products to the North American marketplace through our Swedish collaborator Zero Interior Lighting.

Proving that TAF studio fosters a playful spirit, the founders see it as serendipitous that their offices, on Södermalm, are located in a converted bakery. “There is a nice twist to this,” the TAF leaders explain, “as TAF aims to fulfill a similar function as the bakery through its design—one where design isn't seen as superfluous but integrated into society on all levels, like the daily loaf of bread.” Johanna Agerman Ross says of the firm, “The process of tweaking readily available materials and using them in new and innovative ways demonstrates TAF’s preoccupation with context and origin. The references are never overtly obvious, but once you know that plundering the landscape of mass produced consumables is part of TAF’s process, it’s impossible to look at one of its products without thinking: ‘Where have I seen this before?’ The chances are you‘ll never know.” But why would that stop you from being curious?