A Magical Moomin Forest at Formex: The Story Behind Hilke Café
In August 2024, we had the privilege of creating a magical and enchanting space at Formex – a project that tested our creativity and expertise. It all began when Formex approached us in 2023 during our exhibit at Maison Objet in Paris, asking if we’d be the creators of their café at the upcoming August fair. As lovers of a good challenge, we were thrilled and, of course, said yes!
Little did we know that this project would involve a massive 350 square meters of space, and we would be responsible for every tiny detail, from the smallest trim to the electrical planning. Our journey began in early 2024, and we spent months working on the concept, the design, and how we could bring something truly special to life. We had the opportunity to collaborate with fantastic partners like Woodup, Norrkoncept, Webflower, Kolhager, Mogihome, and more.
Bringing Moomin to Life
Our concept for Hilke Café was inspired by the serene and whimsical forests of Moominvalley. Hilke Collection had just signed a new design partnership with Moomin Characters, and we saw the café as the perfect stage to unveil our collaboration. The product line we created was based on Tove Jansson’s first Moomin book, "The Moomins and the Great Flood", originally published almost 80 years ago. The depth and timeless messages of the book inspired us to create detailed and thoughtful products that captured the spirit of the story.
We wanted to bring a sense of calm and togetherness to the café space, creating a place where people could gather, enjoy a meal, and feel a deep connection to the natural world. Our twist was in combining the magical, dreamy atmosphere of Moominvalley with Hilke’s signature design aesthetic.