Ferm LIVING

Could you present yourself ?

My name is Trine Andersen, founder and designer of Ferm LIVING. I am 37 years old living in Copenhagen with my husband Martin and our two kids, August (7) and Saga (1). Ferm LIVING is rooted in Denmark, where I founded a graphic design studio in 2005.

The name ”ferm” was actually inspired by my grandmother. When she said that someone was “ferm på fingrene” – i.e. skilled with their hands, literally “good with their fingers” – it was high praise indeed. I like to think that she would approve of the Ferm LIVING range; it is modern, but also has a reassuring homelike quality – and we try to make sure that every piece is made well.

My designs have always been based in my own life. The very first wallpaper came into being because I couldn’t find the sort of crisp, graphic design I wanted. So, I simply decided that if I wanted a specific graphic style someone else might want it too – and went ahead and did it. Later, we became parents, and faced a similar situation when it came to design elements for children’s rooms. Later still, we found ourselves needing new things, as we moved into a bigger, loft-like home. Everyday life is my inspiration.

Where did you get this interest for design ?

I guess from my parents . When I was a little girl I thought I should be a fashion designer, and as a child I “designed” a lot of fabric dolls and dresses for them. My parents had a clothing company, so I grew up between the rolls of fabrics and sewing maschines. “Proper” design work started in 2001 when I got my first “real” job as an art director at an advertising agency.

What is the key word of Ferm LIVING for you ?

Ferm LIVING draws on Scandinavian design traditions and retro charm but with a distinctive graphic edge that makes every item firmly contemporary.

What are your inspirations ?

I think it is very difficult to answer. I like to think of it in this way: Everything inspires me – everything I see and experiences goes though a filter in my brain – some of it is “stored”, and when you put these “stored” impressions together they might end up in a product or an idea some day. I, of course, seeks inspiration on traditional manners when I travel, read magazines and books, source for vintage objects, walk in the nature and through my friends.