Born and educated in Denmark, with an additional foray in Helsinki, designer Cecile Manz is in many ways a contemporary reification of the vaunted history of Scandinavian design.

Trædesten Granite Furniture for the Design Museum of Denmark

Her oeuvre bears many of the hallmarks: an over-riding respect for the purity of natural wood, deft craftsmanship, streamlined design, flawless execution.

Separat Room Divider for Nikari

The Workshop Coffee Table is an illustrative example. Displaying a "focal emphasis on traditional materiality, craftsmanship, and detailing," Workshop offers a seamless integration between legs and top, so much so, that it's almost as if the two were the same entity.

Workshop Coffee Table for Muuto

The Luv Bathroom Collection displays a similar sense of completeness. Utilizing Duravit's proprietary DuraCeram material, Manz has created basins, bases, consoles, and mirrors-each of which synthesizes precision and elegance: "Gentle forms following a stringent geometry... precise, clear, and fine forms and edges."

Luv Bathroom Collection for Duravit

From the bathroom to the kitchen, Manz demonstrates equal dexterity with her Degree Kitchen Concept. A combination base, countertop, storage, and sink, Degree is made of veneered Oregon Pine topped with an ultra-thin sheet of stainless steel. This slight nod to an industrial ethos is offset by the warmth of the wood, by its cross-hatched grain-a "comfortable backdrop for everyday life."

Degree Kitchen Concept for Reform

Simple but not simplistic, the Caravaggio Pendant is an iconic suspension lamp with high functionality and a balanced aesthetic expression. Available in multiple iterations: high-gloss lacquer, matte, and the stunning Opal-a translucent shade that diffuses light, creating a warm atmosphere befitting the heart of the home.

Caravaggio Pendant for Lightyears

Here's a bit of a change-up. The Minuscule Chair is precise and elegant, yes, but also more exuberant than much of Manz's work. The materials palette is expanded here as well. Minuscule features a base of reinforced plastic. Finish options include soft upholstery or leather with stitched piping. Solid without being stolid, Minuscule is a versatile chair with a durable construction and pronounced personality.

Minuscule Chair for Fritz Hansen

Cecile Manz lives and works in Copenhagen. She is a graduate of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and the Helsinki University of Art and Design. She has been the recipient of the Thorvald Bindesbøll Medal, the Bruno Mathsson Prize, the Finn Juhl Architectural Prize, and the Crown Prince Couples Cultural Award. She has collaborated with many leading international manufacturers including Fritz Hansen, B&O, Fredericia, Muuto, and Offecct.

See the whole portfolio at Cecile Manz.