Inside story How Danish brand Tekla creates high-quality home textiles designed with longevity in mind
Quality, functionality and longevity are the core values that underpin this Danish textile brand
It was a very obvious gap in the market that prompted Kristoffer Juhl and his business partner Charlie Hedin to dive into the world of home textiles. ‘We both had a natural interest in investing in our homes but found it quite difficult to navigate that particular arena,’ says Juhl, the co-founder of Scandinavian brand Tekla. ‘There seemed to be lots of expensive heritage brands or high-street options such as Ikea, but little in-between. We felt there was an appetite for beautiful, affordable textiles, so it made sense to develop something new.’ That was three-anda-half years ago and since then, the company has established itself as a key player in the homewares market. ‘We wanted a timeless aesthetic,’ Juhl continues, ‘and to focus on getting functional, high-quality textiles into people’s homes at a price that makes sense.’
Based in the heart of Copenhagen, the small but dynamic team of 12 works with a network of skilled craftsmen in Portugal to develop and manufacture Tekla’s range, which includes extra-thick, combed terry cotton towels, organic cotton robes, flannel and poplin unisex sleepwear and its signature cotton percale bedlinen. Also in the collection are luxurious merino and pure new wool blankets woven in Lithuania, plus brand-new linen bedding, developed to offer an alternative sleeping experience. ‘Linen is more common in southern Europe,’ says Juhl. ‘It has a very different feel on your skin, as well as temperature-adjusting capabilities, which are amazing during summer.’ A palette of timeless colours allows pieces to be used alone or mixed and matched so customers can curate their own look. ‘We try not to be affected too much by trends,’ explains Juhl. ‘Instead, we choose colours that we’ll still be happy with in five or 10 years’ time, rather than something that will look tired in six months.’
With a customer base that spans trendy teens through to savvy retirees, the pair have succeeded in developing an inclusive product that slots effortlessly into any scenario. ‘Textiles play such a big part in creating a good feeling in your home,’ says Juhl. ‘You take a shower every day and sleep in your bed every night, so it’s important to bring some joy to the experience, whether it’s the colour of your sheets that makes you happy or a towel that’s softer on your skin. We put a lot of love, care and attention into making sure our products meet very high standards, so that Tekla can really become part of that experience.’ teklafabrics.com
‘TEXTILES PLAY SUCH A BIG PART IN CREATING A GOOD FEELING IN YOUR HOME’