John Kandell

John Kandell (born 1951) is a Swedish designer known for his playful, experimental approach that combines Scandinavian craftsmanship with bold color, graphic form, and intellectual humor. Educated at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design (Konstfack) in Stockholm, Kandell has worked across furniture, lighting, glass, textiles, and industrial design, often challenging the restrained norms of traditional Nordic design.

He is best known for the Familjen (Family) Chairs designed for Källemo, a series of expressive wooden chairs characterized by vivid colors, strong geometries, and distinct personalities. Another important design is the Pilaster shelving system, also produced by Källemo, which reinterprets classical architectural columns into a modular, contemporary storage system, combining historical reference with modern functionality. Kandell has also designed lighting for Örsjö Belysning and glassware for Kosta Boda, where his graphic sensibility and bold use of color are clearly visible.