Jordan and Matthew’s guide to 3 Days of Design 2026
Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design ran June 10–12. The festival’s theme for 2026 was “Make This Moment Matter.”
Hi Jordan, hi Matthew! Could you introduce yourselves to Design Stories readers?
Jordan Bunker: “Hey, of course. I live in Manchester and I’ve known Mat for well over a decade, so we’ve often teamed up for work and projects. I’m a Photographer and Content Creator interested in fashion and sustainability, always looking to hero brands doing good things and I’ve now found myself looking at this through an interior lens too.”
Matthew Spade: “Here’s me doing my most confident introduction; I’m a Content Creator within the design and lifestyle space, with a love of interior and product design, supporting creative communities and leaning into a more relaxed outlook on life. I also pretend to be a professional chef at home.”
Friends Jordan Bunker (left) and Matthew Spade focus on lifestyle content – and this year, they were Finnish Design Shop’s eyes and ears in Copenhagen.
Ferm Living celebrated its 20th anniversary with an exhibition titled Form of Life.
You’ve just been exploring Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design. What were your overall impressions of the event?
J: “Each year – it’s now my fourth – seems to be bigger than the last. More showrooms, more talks, more parties and the interest for it seems huge. Salone has its place, but it seems Copenhagen is where the fun is at, especially with its approach of design for all.”
M: “One less than J, it’s my third at the festival now and it just seems to get bigger and busier each year. What was once confined to the more established design houses now spans across multi-faceted designers from all communities. The city seems to be injected with extra energy over the whole week. Must be that sea air!”
If you could describe 3 Days of Design in three words, what would they be?
M: “Collaborative, thoughtful, non-stop”
J: “Inspiring, community, step-count”
At Fritz Hansen’s courtyard Sound Club, DJs kept the music going all day long.
Fritz Hansen classics were on display inside – set against a carefully curated soundscape.
At The Mechanics of Scent exhibition, Frama’s exceptional fragrances took center stage.
Frama’s world has expanded to encompass furniture, lighting and outdoor pieces.
Was there a particular exhibition or installation that stayed with you?
M: “I think the gigantic Iittala pavilion was a very impressive sight, something I would love to see as a permanent public display. It was also really inspiring to see smaller brands and designers occupying unusual spaces around the city, like cafes, car parks and disused spaces.”
J: “I agree with Mat, the supersized Iittala vase was incredible! With a potential move on the horizon, Rye’s installation in the car park on Vognmagergade had me thinking about how you can really curate a bedroom space. The mood, the look and the way you want to feel in your home.”
Iittala’s striking pavilion was one of Jordan and Matthew’s standout favorites in Copenhagen.
The Aalto 90 Pavilion put the spotlight on its namesake: the iconic Aalto vase, now celebrating its 90th anniversary.
Rye’s At The Threshold of Rest was staged in a car park in the heart of Copenhagen.
Known for its handcrafted beds, Rye had staged five distinct bedroom settings throughout the space.
Copenhagen is always at the cutting edge of design trends. Did any interior design trend stand out to you this year?
J: “It’s always encouraging to see people getting inventive with materials in design. Jessie French of Other Matter created a window display for Aesop using algae-based bioplastics which can then turn into a leather alternative, and there was also a lot of spotlighting on post-consumer waste and cradle to cradle at &Tradition – who’ve recently achieved B Corp – and the Material Matters exhibition returning for another year at Ukraine House.
As for other trends, industrial design isn’t going anywhere, and I feel everyone is getting much bolder with color. I’ve embraced small pops in my home... maybe it’s time to lean even more into color?”
M: “Shapes that almost seem like they’ve been blown up by air, the use of recyclable materials, but above all else there seems to be a real sense of freedom and fun across this year seeing how far designers can push the perception of how a product should behave.”
What is it about Nordic design and Nordic brands that particularly draws you in?
J: “I know I’ve just mentioned color, but I think Scandinavian design doesn’t try to shout and therefore stays timeless and relevant. I think it’s the soft approach that appeals to me and the silhouettes from the likes of Fritz Hansen and Artek that are recognizable from almost any angle.”
M: “Similar to Jordan, it’s not just timeless shapes, it’s also the overall respect for materials and the whole timeline of design; from the beginnings of a natural material to how it will be used in years to come. It’s not something you experience everywhere.”
HAY brought its favorites and new fall furniture pieces to the spaces of contemporary art institution O-Overgaden.
The HAY exhibition was set along the historic canals of Christianshavn.
Following its debut in Milan this spring, Fredericia: A Chronicle of Danish Design was now on display in Copenhagen.
The exhibition explored Fredericia’s dialogue between heritage and modernity through a selection of works.
Tekla explored the craft and tradition of patchwork quilts, reinterpreting the design for modern homes.
The Heart of Living exhibition brought together bedroom settings and live music.
Is there a Nordic brand or designer you've had your eye on for a while, someone you were especially excited to discover more about this week?
M: “I’m always excited to see what &Tradition and Muuto are up to. I was also really looking forward to seeing +Halle’s space, Service Projects cafe and +Other Circle, unfortunately there’s no way you can see everything. Onto Instagram I go!”
J: “Me and Mat were sharing many agreeable nods in Muuto that’s for sure. I think what Niels Strøyer Christophersen and the Frama team have achieved is great to see. It’s the darling of Danish design and one that can’t seem to do no wrong. A tour of the exhibition and the apartment leave the words “one of everything please” on my lips year after year.”
Will anything from the new releases presented at 3 Days of Design be making its way into your home?
J: “I’ll have to dive back into my SD card and the 3DoD recaps, but an object that did catch my eye was from Daniel Schofield. He’s designed the Ami hook made by Swiss pottery studio Potsfink and it’s a clever and quite elegant storage solution for the bathroom.”
M: “My dreams would probably see bits from Frama and &Tradition around our house. We are looking to fully redecorate the front room in 2027, so we probably won’t rush to buy anything just yet. A new wooden dining table is on the list. I also really enjoyed what Veark, Moebe and Baina were showing.”
Louis Poulsen’s art installation “Into the Shades” was on display at Kuglegården.
The exhibition celebrated the PH System, Poul Henningsen’s iconic lighting system first developed in 1926.
&Tradition’s beautiful showroom put the spotlight on Verner Panton and the iconic Flowerpot pendant.
The showroom also featured new additions to the Alima collection, designed by Note Design Studio.
And finally: what are your summer plans?
J: “I think I’m staying close to home for the summer, with a couple of weekends away. I’ll also take any dry day Manchester has to play tennis. Oh, and who knows, maybe a trip to Helsinki!”
M: “Well, whatever will decide to do it may be with our new puppy. A big thing for us!”
See also:
• New arrivals at Finnish Design Shop >
• On Instagram: @jordanbunker, @mat_buckets
Published on 15 Jun, 2026
