Mette & Rolf Hay

Founders of danish design cult brand hay

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Founders of danish design cult brand hay

My Reading Room
My Reading Room
My Reading Room

The extensive collection includes seating appointments, tables, vases and bags. 

Partners in life as well as business, Mette and Rolf Hay met as colleagues at Danish furniture brand Guni, before establishing their own label in 2002. 

Now, 14 years on, HAY has become a global phenomenon popular with homeowners looking for contemporary-styled furniture with clean lines, captivating colours and uncomplicated forms. The duo recently collaborated with Swedish furniture juggernaut Ikea to launch the Ypperlig collection. 

In an exclusive interview with Home & Decor, the pair talk about the partnership and why the collection deserves a space in every modern home. 

What were some of the ideas discussed during the brief for this collection? 
Mette: After our first meeting with the Ikea team in Sweden, I already knew on the drive home that my biggest wish was to work with some of the classic Ikea products. I wanted to see if we could come up with new ideas for already well-known products, which would be just as functional but designed in the philosophy of our brand. 

What was the inspiration that led to some of the looks?
Rolf: I was extremely eager to learn about the possibilities in the Ikea supply chain. One has to approach design from a technical angle when you are creating something with the intent of mass producing it on a massive scale. More or less all the furniture we did was driven by existing production facilities or new technology. 

Partners in business and marriage, Rolf and Mette Hay first met as colleagues
Partners in business and marriage, Rolf and Mette Hay first met as colleagues
The simple form of this sofa exemplifies HAY’s minimalist design philosophy.
The simple form of this sofa exemplifies HAY’s minimalist design philosophy.
The wall-hung mirrors combine both function and form.
The wall-hung mirrors combine both function and form.
The Ypperlig dining chair.
The Ypperlig dining chair.

Who is the collection created for?
Rolf: There wasn’t one particular person we had in mind when creating the collection. The simplicity of our designs make them suitable for every home and every individual.  

Are there any similarities between HAY and Ikea?
Rolf: The main reason we decided to work with Ikea was out of curiosity. The second reason was our chemistry, which I felt in our first meeting. I felt that the Ikea culture was very open and transparent, and not afraid of sharing.

How was the colour palette chosen for the collection?
Mette: A lot of the furniture is grey, and white, and green, but with the accessories, we played much more with the colour – they are the glue of this collection. Of course, it is always important to look at the product first. Some products are simpler, some more bright, but we wanted to create items that are long-lasting – so we chose colours that are not overpowering, but can fit into the collection. 

Is there a possibility of a follow-up collection?
Rolf: We haven’t talked about that, but all have agreed that it was really nice working together and we look forward to seeing how the customers will like the collection. 

THE YPPERLIG COLLECTION IS NOW AVAILABLE AT IKEA. 

Text: YOUNG LIM / Photos: IKEA