BOOK SERIES || The New Era: A Scandinavian Magazine on Interiors
The title is a quote featured on the spine of Issue No.4 or The New Era Magazine.
I've always rejoiced in the time I spend with my books. Open a book, open your world. I've learned many things I didn't know through reading; every book has given me a new perspective on how others see things. This skill has become ever more critical in a world where the algorithm serves you content that aligns with your values and beliefs instead of allowing you to hear unique and interesting, sometimes opposing views.
The New Era gave me a look at the world of Scandinavian Interior Design in a way that is not intimidating and easy to digest.
The cover of the latest issue.
One thing that draws me in right away with a book or magazine is its layout. The New Era is a Scandinavian magazine on interiors, and it presents its pieces beautifully, with full-page visuals that instil a sense of calm as you're flipping through. The magazine perfectly balances how much time one wants to spend reading versus studying the intricacies of the featured design or art piece. In addition, pull-out quotes offer a quick summary if the mind wants to skip ahead.
I find it interesting how a featured article opens with an excerpt in large type, engaging the reader to decide whether they want to read the rest of the article. The following pages are full-page photos; it's like a brief, and if these first few pages capture the reader, they'll dive deeper into the article.
Elegant quoted excerpts allow readers to quickly grasp the essence of the piece.
When you venture further into each piece, the interviews are a joy to read. These artists are passionate about their art. They don't use big words. As the reader, you feel you're conversing with them, discussing their next big project, what steps they took in their career paths, and are receiving design tips that sound like they would be given to a friend. Like the piece featuring Artist Mirja Bozarth Fornell, where she advised readers to "only purchase one type of stem...and buy as many as you can...let the blooms make their impact. It works every time."
The New Era has been a fascinating hidden gem discovery I chanced upon during my last visit to an interior design store.
Next week, I will feature another magazine I picked up recently at the bookstore that has allowed me to learn more about the evolution of art, design, and culture in Eastern Europe. Stay tuned.
Photography by Florence Leung
