Global textiles innovator Milliken is launching its new Nordic Stories collection. This exciting rangetakes you on a journey through the textural landscape and extreme environments of the Nordic countries, where geological drama plays out against a background of dark winters and stark isolation. Steeped in modern culture and ancient folklore, the heritage of this region has been interwoven in this collection to reflect the distinct identities of these diverse countries.
The portfolio’s four designs, Tectonic, Isograd, Hidden Plains and Extreme Contrasts, encompass the sensory experience that is the Nordics. These designs illustrate the striking extremes of its volcano and glacier-shaped landscape that has evolved over millions of years to produce some of the most spectacular scenery in the northern hemisphere. In addition, the collection explores the rich and varied culture of the Nordics from contemporary art and music to the Norse language and religion.
Inspired by the visual effect created by the movement of tectonic plates, the structured cross hatchdesign of Tectonic resembles the geological textures and structural distortion of the Earth’s crust.Intersecting lines cut across the design to reproduce the visual disturbance of the Earth’s architecture when natural forces collide. The inspiration for Isograd comes from geological isograd lines that separate different metamorphic index minerals. The linear structure of the design mirrors the mineral appearance of isograd zones - these bold mineral lines run across the design, marking the boundaries between rocks of various metamorphic gradations. Hidden Plains visualises the stunning display of out wash plains undergoing continuous transformation and change. When volcanoes hidden beneath glaciers erupt, a surge of melt water sweeps sediment to the surface. The layered quality and loosely structured block design of Hidden Plains depicts the shifting layers of sediment that build up over time to form a plain hidden among glaciers and ice caps. An etherealpalette of neutral hues recreates the tonal shadows these plains cast across the ice. Extreme Contrasts harmonises the juxtaposition of extreme environments in a place where fire meets ice andthe seasons fluctuate between the summer’s midnight sun and dark winters. This is a region inhabited by a peaceful population that lives in harmony with the destructive and volatile forces of nature. Black is paired with bright or neutral colours to accentuate the contrasting elements that characterise the Nordics.
Channelling the contemporary Nordic design scene, the collection’s colour palette draws on exciting developments in architecture, art and design. The depth and richness of this versatile palette seeks to recreate the sensory experience of the Nordics. Natural hues, such as Iceflow, Hot Springs and Ash Blanket, capture the captivating beauty of deep blue pools, rich golden moss and sulphurousplains. By contrast, bold colours including Golden Circle and Harpa reproduce the dramatic effect of graphic landforms and architecture, and It’s Oh So Quiet projects a flash of vivid colour inspired by the region’s influence on music and popular culture.
Alison Kitchingman, director of marketing and design at Milliken comments: “We continually drawon inspiration from our surroundings to bring new products to life and stimulate the creative ideasof the design community. Nordic Stories presents a strong creative point of view whilst at the same time offering a collection that has clean and elegant styling and could work effortlessly in any interior. We’re also proud to design and manufacture the Nordic Stories collection in the UK using our premium solution dyed nylon tufting technology to create exciting textural effects.”
Nordic Stories is produced using tufted textured loop pile yarn. The collection also includes cushion backing with 90 per cent recycled content which provides underfoot comfort, improved acoustics and superior appearance retention. To further reduce its environmental impact, the range can be supplied with adhesive free installation using TractionBack®which helps reduce materials usage and saves installation time. In addition, it is manufactured using electricity generated by renewable energy sources. The range is also certified to meet CRI Green Label Plus and GuT standards.ENDS
