Humans innately yearn for a sense of wholeness and connection, be it with their environments, the people around them, or a specific mixture of the two. A feeling of loneliness and isolation spiked in 2020 and has since continued to rise, leading industry experts to call for change. In response, the Palma Pouf by Kusheda Mensah for Hem is designed specifically for communication and gathering, in approachable colors that strive for a brighter future. Debuting at 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen, the Palma Pouf is a welcome change from stuffy traditionalist pieces, instead focusing on the people that might use them and the connections that would take place.
The rounded, bulbous forms, expertly encased in a wide selection of upholstery, changes the feeling of these happy shapes completely. With two, three, or five elements extending off of a central shape, these protrusions could be abstractions of a palm frond, a hand, or a paw, recalling forms found in nature. Agreeable and soft, they work in multiple ways to form connection, through touch, sight, and sound, landing softly on the surfaces they inhabit. Stackable and open to interpretation, they encourage a level of fun usually not rewarded among adults. We often forget this, but sometimes, it’s okay to play.
Hem truly believes in the standard, “great design can enrich lives”. Through a practice of genuine compassion and thoughtful collaboration. They work with European manufacturers that employ some of the highest safety standards in the business, working closely alongside them, invested in process. Obsessed with detail, they are constantly improving their systems, further increasing their agility in the industry. As sustainability becomes an increasing concern, their standards for employing local expertise and high ethical standards have as well, producing their rugs with a GoodWeave-certified manufacturer in India, and strictly adhering to EU environmental standards.
Kusheda Mensah is a British-born Ghanaian designer focused on creating idyllic interiors, fun and functionality at the core of her work. The ways in which we bond are integral to understanding Mensah’s pieces, collaborative energy an overarching theme. Her modular furniture relays the notion of mutuality, connection, and closeness between us, reflecting and redefining our social habits in the process.
Kusheda Mensah
To learn more about the Palma Pouf by Kusheda Mensah for Hem, please visit hem.com.
Photography by Erik Wåhlström.
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