The colours and design for everyday life - Get to know Hay

THE PRODUCT THAT STARTED IT ALL

Mette is responsible for overseeing the company’s accessory collection. One of the first accessories that the company produced was the Kaleido Tray in collaboration with the Swedish designer Clara von Zweigbergk she says.

[The Kaleido Tray] was a product that had it all: the HAY DNA. It is colourful, playful, beautiful and useful.

“The tray’s versatility means it can be used as a tray for jewellery, desktop items, or simply a decorative item.” Says Mette. “Today, the Kaleido Tray remains equally as popular as it was when it was released, and we are glad to have recently released it in a series of new colours. We believe a good design stands the test of time and the Kaleido Tray has done just that” She continues. We can see this approach to long standing design across much of HAY’s assortment, the collections feel like a modern homage to the great design eras.

HAY’S DESIGN PROCESS

HAY boasts a collective of some of the world’s leading designers, drawing inspiration from art, architecture and fashion to create their unique collections.

We don’t have a blueprint for what our design process at HAY looks like, and we like to keep it this way, so our collections can evolve organically, says Mette.

Colour has become emblematic for HAY, but it is certainly not ubiquitous across the whole assortment. “When working on a collection we apply colour carefully – each product is considered its own and given its colour specifically” Mette states.

“In some case things might start with a meeting, sometimes with a brief, and sometimes by a fortunate chance encounter…” she continues. HAY’s philosophy is based on the premise of creating products that their customers are most in need of but are equally original and certainly beautiful. This organic design process allows them the freedom to do just this.

THE COLOURS OF HAY

The HAY assortment is a kaleidoscope of colour, playful shapes and differing textures. There is a tactile element to HAY’s designs, the products are inviting, encouraging the admirer to pick them up, turn them over and experience every aspect. There is a certain openness about placing items in your home that beg to be picked up and played with but what does a welcome home mean to HAY?

“So many factors contribute to what makes a welcoming home, but what is key is personality. Naturally, colour in a home is very important to me. I think when you can see how people have gathered and added a variety of objects and furniture in their space over time, this is what makes a house a home.” Says Mette.

So, colour can make a house feel more welcoming but typically, Scandinavian interior design does not scream colour. Times are changing however, and this spring has been all about pastels for example. HAY is certainly one of the most colourful and playful Scandinavian design brands out there. Mette has some advice for us when it comes to injecting a little more colour into our lives:

I’d always say: Simply choose what you like. Personality is what adds colour.

HAY’s approach to design is unique. From the carefully curated colour scale to the everyday items that inspire them. Their design philosophy can be felt through the entire assortment but what is apparent above all else is the passion and connection they have with the objects they design. It is this passion for design and innovation that is the key to HAY’s world.

Text: Rebecca Sparling

Photography: Angeliqa Daldorph, HAY

Styling: Linnéa Axelson & Angeliqa Daldorph