Introducing JOY OBJECTS – Welcome to Fredrik Paulsen's World of Joy
Fredrik Paulsen, the founder of JOY OBJECTS, doesn't take himself – or design – too seriously.
THE SAYING GOES that diamonds are forever, but if you ask JOY OBJECTS, it’s time to update the familiar phrase. The Swedish design brand swears by another material built to last almost as long: aluminium.
JOY OBJECTS was founded by Fredrik Paulsen, a name many design lovers will recognise – especially those who have a soft spot for wood! Paulsen has previously designed pine furniture for the Finnish brand Vaarnii, among others.
The material may now be new, but Paulsen's principles remain the same. His designs are still all about ease and playfulness, stripping away the seriousness so often attached to design.
And as the name suggests, JOY OBJECTS takes joy very seriously – and everything else a little less so!
A glimpse into Fredrik Paulsen's studio is enough to tell you this isn't a place for taking things too seriously.
Before the final chair, there's this: pen on paper, and a desk that's seen a few cups of coffee.
From sketch to reality. As one can see, JOY OBJECTS doesn't do quiet colour choices.
Even the packaging has a sense of humor – “House Music” seems about right for a chair this colorful.
For those who prefer their joy in a slightly quieter shade, the Wall Shelf One keeps things refreshingly simple.
Playfulness has deep roots in Paulsen's story, too. He grew up in the Swedish skate scene, and it was skateboarding that taught him to see the world in his own way long before it led him to design.
So it's only natural that both JOY OBJECTS and Finnish Design Shop are joining Vauhtikisat 2026 as supporting partners. The annual skateboarding event, held in Helsinki on 12 July, has grown from a DIY gathering into one of the most compelling skate events in Europe. To celebrate the event, Paulsen has designed the limited edition Vauhtikisat Chair One, which brings together the best of both worlds: durable aluminium and a healthy dose of fun.
The Vauhtikisat chairs are available through Finnish Design Shop, and all profits go to The Ben Raemers Foundation, which supports mental health in the skateboarding community.
Only six special edition chairs are made, each carrying the event's fast-paced illustration made by Janne-Juhani Hyvärinen.
One Vauhtikisat chair goes to the competition's winner. And knowing the playful spirit of Vauhtikisat, don't be surprised if it ends up doing a trick or two, too.
Design Stories sat down with Paulsen to talk about the birth of JOY OBJECTS (a story that, fittingly, involves a bar in Milan), the community and playfulness behind the brand, and how Paulsen’s own skateboarding roots led him straight into a collaboration with Vauhtikisat.
Read on and get ready for some joy!
Paulsen has never done things the conventional way – not in his design, and clearly not in his workouts either.
Hi, Fredrik! First things first: what sparked the idea for JOY OBJECTS?
“After many years of working with unique pieces and special commissions, I felt a strong desire to expand my practice—to create a platform where I could produce more accessible work without compromising on quality or vision.
With JOY OBJECTS, my role goes beyond simply designing products; it’s about shaping an entire world around them. It’s also a deeply collaborative project, built together with some of my closest friends, which makes the process both meaningful and incredibly fun.
I don’t see JOY OBJECTS as just another furniture brand. For me, it’s an opportunity to connect with like-minded people and build a community around a shared love of subculture and creative expression.”
“For me, JOY OBJECTS is an opportunity to connect with like-minded people and build a community.”
What can you do under JOY OBJECTS that you couldn't do elsewhere?
“Beyond making my own work more accessible, it allows us to produce and share work by other creatives we admire. We’re not limited to furniture—we can release garments, mixtapes, or publications.
The core is building a community, which is why we also host parties and collaborate with DJs and artists.”
The word that started it all.
What's the story behind the name? Was it clear from the start that the brand would be called JOY OBJECTS?
“I had this vision of launching the collection in Milan during Salone. In the evenings, everyone gathers at Bar Basso—it’s a fabulous place, but you often end up waiting in line for ages just to get your (rather pricey) drinks. So instead, all the cool kids slip away to the small bodega around the corner to grab theirs.
I remember thinking that would actually be the perfect spot to host a launch—more relaxed, a bit unexpected, and somehow more authentic. When I looked it up, I realized the place is called JOY GRILL. I thought it was such a brilliant name, and that’s where the idea for JOY OBJECTS was born.”
JOY OBJECTS manifesto states that contemporary design is boring. What makes so much of today's design boring, and how do you avoid falling into that trap yourself?
“A lot of design feels overly serious and disconnected from real life. For me, it’s about people, energy, and having fun. I create furniture that brings people together. The work doesn’t end with the object—it’s about how and why people engage with it, whether it’s JOY OBJECTS or collaborations like Vaarnii.”
JOY OBJECTS pieces may be fun, but they are also functional. Chairs are delivered flat-packed, with components that can be taken apart, replaced, and put back together again.
Playfulness is at the heart of JOY OBJECTS, but your products are also very practical: simple construction, flat packing, reasonable prices. How do fun and function feed each other in your work?
“Fun and functionality may sound like a contradiction, but I find real joy in combining them in a natural, effortless way.”
We've seen you work with many kinds of wood, and now aluminium has entered the picture. What drew you to this material, and how does it change the way you think and design?
“Aluminium became a natural step through our collection, which is built as a fully interchangeable system. Its durability, light weight, and recyclability support our goal of creating flexible, long-lasting furniture.
Working with aluminium pushes us to rethink construction and detailing, while enabling greater precision and modularity. All pieces are delivered flat-packed, with components that can be replaced or reconfigured to extend their lifespan.
We use post-consumer aluminium in our own optimized profiles, all linked to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to track impact across the life cycle. Production takes place in Sweden to reduce transport and ensure fair working conditions.”
JOY OBJECTS isn't just about furniture: garments, mixtapes, and publications all fit under the same roof.
Good music happens to be one of the things that brings Fredrik joy. The collection speaks for itself!
What can we expect from the collaboration with Vauhtikisat? How did it come about, and what happens when two playful worlds meet?
“Skateboarding has shaped how I approach everything I do, so the collaboration felt immediate. Their vision aligns closely with ours, so you can expect something playful and carefree.”
And finally: what gives you joy?
“Good food, good music, and good people!”
See also:
• All products by JOY OBJECTS >
• Read also: A day with Fredrik Paulsen >
Published on 10 Jul, 2026
