Many dream of opening a restaurant, or starting their own culinary-centric company, but few have the experience or knowledge to do so. This was not the case for Kjartan Gíslason, a chef-turned-chocolatier and co-owner of Omnom Chocolate; Iceland’s newest bean-to-bar operation. Since September 2013, Gíslason and his three close friends (Óskar Þórðarson, Karl Viggó Vigfússon, André Úlfur Visage) have been running their startup out of …
While Iceland is probably best known for its majestic scenery and interesting culinary traditions, the island nation’s largest cities are marked by the stoic architecture of Guðjón Samúelsson, an imposing designer that stood as Iceland’s state architect from 1920 to 1950. Perhaps most famous for Reykjavik’s Hallgrímskirkja church, Samúelsson’s tendency towards linear forms and symmetry, along with a generous use of concrete, make each of …
As longtime attendees of Iceland’s DesignMarch, we’re familiar with the wonderful textile work of Reykjavik-based Scintilla, a homeware brand founded by fashion and textile designer Linda Björg Árnadóttir. Last year, we were introduced to her organic towels. This past week the line extend to candles. With three scents inspired by the rugged landscape of Árnadóttir’s native country, the modest range is made exclusively from essential …
