The Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair may not fall in the most ideal time of year, however, year on year, the fair has become more interesting, with many manufacturers choosing the Nordic venue to launch their new designs, rather than wait for Salone in April. This year presented some especially exciting contract products from Gubi, Fredericia Furniture, and +Halle.

Here are our top picks in seating from SFF 2016.

Contract Chair
Coco by OEO Studio for Gubi

With the proliferation of wooden retro contract chairs in recent years, it's refreshing to see the return of the fully upholstered contract chair. The Coco chair borrows references from the Bauhaus era and has a beautifully post-industrial silhouette. The generous curved back and wide seat invites hours of comfort over leisurely lunches or intimate dinners. From every angle, the chair has an elegant shape, which makes us wonder if it wasn't named Coco after a certain elegant, yet strong, fashion icon. With limitless upholstery options against the black frame, the Coco chair can either play the starring role or blend seamlessly into any environment. Available from the end of March through Gubi dealers worldwide, we're sure to be seeing Coco in cafes and restaurants around the world.

Lounge Chair
Swoon by Space Copenhagen for Fredericia Furniture

Since NOMA was named 'best restaurant in the world' in 2010, design studio Space Copenhagen has designed some of the best hospitality and hotel contract furniture out there. Their collaboration with Fredericia Furniture began in 2011 with the Spine series for restaurant Geist. This year they have introduced the Swoon lounge chair, an interesting compromise between an armchair and easy chair. The chair features a back that is high enough to create divisions to break up an open space, and undulating curved arms that envelope the user, creating an intimate space when grouped together. Tapered solid wood legs, ensure extra stability. We'd love to see Swoon as an alternative to traditional small sofas in hotel receptions and cosy bars.

Barstool
Nest by Form Us With Love for +Halle

We're big fans of Swedish designers Form Us With Love here at Designer Pages, and we are copmpletely enamored with the new high seating additions to the Nest family for Danish manufacturer + Halle. With a curved shell just like the dining chairs and in both a single and double seat version, with high tables to match, this takes bar areas to a whole new level. We can see this series taking over chic high-rise bars and nightclubs from Tokyo to New York City.