Report from Sweden: Introducing Arket (the Next Muji?)

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I’m just back from a cold, dark, magical New Years week in Stockholm. What to do when it’s 28 degrees out and there are there’s just about six hours of sunlight? Do as the Swedes do: bundle up, go for a brisk walk, then hunker down inside and implement the Swedish knack for brightening the home in midwinter. Among the lagom ideas I’m taking back with me: candles on every surface to combat the January dark, remembering what it’s like to be quiet (no incessant background music in restaurants; calm even in the airport), and, of course, the infallibility of Ikea (we delighted in the fittings of our well-appointed Airbnb in Kungsholmen, turning over every dish and glass to find each time that—surprise—it was all Ikea).

Another discovery I’m hoping will soon make its way stateside: Arket, a “modern-day market” and subsidiary of Swedish brand H&M, which stocks well-made, essential housewares as well as clothing for men, women, and kids. Like a few of our favorite companies that have made their way across the pond (Muji and, yes, Ikea), the mission of Arket (which means “sheet of paper” in Swedish) is “to democratize quality through widely accessible, well-made, durable products, designed to be used and loved for a long time.” Alexa, newly back from six months in Europe, first recommended a stop, and my boyfriend and I made not one but three trips to the Norrmalm outpost to stock up on dish brushes and paper ornaments. Take a look at a few favorite offerings—available, for now, for shipping throughout Europe and in stores in Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK.

first on the list: swedish cleaning liquids in attractive bottles. i was tempte 17 — Above: First on the list: Swedish cleaning liquids in attractive bottles. I was tempted to bring these home but was afraid they’d burst in my suitcase. So, I’m waiting until they’re available stateside. From left to right: Cleaning Soap (90 SEK), dishwashing liquid (not currently available online), and Wool & Silk Wash (90 SEK). Also available but not pictured: bottles of Pure Effect Shoe Mist and Pure Effect Clothing Mist (each 250 SEK).

arket carries string bags by turtle bags, made of organic cotton, for 60 sek ea 18 — Above: Arket carries String Bags by Turtle Bags, made of organic cotton, for 60 SEK each; I came home with two of these (one black, one white).

sweden is famous for their hard working reusable dish cloths. arket carries a v 19 — Above: Sweden is famous for their hard-working reusable dish cloths. Arket carries a version, made in Sweden, that absorb 15 times their own weight, can be washed by tossing into boiling water or the washing machine, and can be recycled or composted when it gets worn out. I liked the olive color, shown here; a Two-Pack of Dish Cloths is 50 SEK from Arket.

$the a0\1 wall hook by swedish brand massproductions is made in portug 20$

Above: The A01 Wall Hook by Swedish brand Massproductions is made in Portugal and provides two places from which to hang things: the knob and the “hood” above. It’s 300 SEK from Arket.

like many shops we stopped into, arket carries selections from iconic swedish b 21 — Above: Like many shops we stopped into, Arket carries selections from iconic Swedish brush maker Iris Hantverk; a hand-tied Nail Brush, for example, shown at right, is 100 SEK.

the domino blanket is by longstanding swedish company klippan, founded in 22 — Above: The Domino Blanket is by longstanding Swedish company Klippan, founded in 1879 by a master spinner at a prison, who then went on to found the mill in an abandoned town in the country’s south. The mill is now run by the fourth and fifth generations of the same family. The blanket is made of 100 percent lambswool; the green and grey colors are currently sold out, but the pink is 690 SEK.

another iris hantverk favorite: the 7 hook rack is \190 sek. 23 — Above: Another Iris Hantverk favorite: the 7-Hook Rack is 190 SEK.

arket carries a series of pillow covers in a variety of colors, like these line 24 — Above: Arket carries a series of pillow covers in a variety of colors, like these Linen Lumbar Cushion Covers in pale green and grey (150 SEK each).

a glass flower pot, made of borosilicate glass, has a small hole in the bottom 25 — Above: A Glass Flower Pot, made of borosilicate glass, has a small hole in the bottom for drainage and a saucer to collect water, but could also be used for kitchen or bath storage. It’s 150 SEK from Arket.

among arket&#8\2\17;s self care offerings: hand balm by perfumer jerom 26 — Above: Among Arket’s self-care offerings: Hand Balm by perfumer Jerome Epinette in scents “inspired by the Nordic flora,” like oakmoss, geranium, and vetiver. The balms are 90 SEK each.

a set of sthlm ljusstoperi candles, hand dipped by a candlemaker in the sö 27 — Above: A set of Sthlm Ljusstoperi Candles, hand-dipped by a candlemaker in the Södermalm area in Stockholm, is 170 SEK.

a durable jute door mat is \290 sek. 28 — Above: A durable Jute Door Mat is 290 SEK.

More favorite sources for housewares in Stockholm:

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