Iris Hantverk is an oddity in the world of design; the Swedish manufacturer has chosen to specialise almost completely in brushes. As a result, the company has found a creative niche in which they excel. What makes Iris Hantverk even more special? Each one of their brushes is handcrafted by a visually impaired craftsperson.
Iris Hantverk, since its inception in Stockholm, has always been a brush manufacturer, employing a select number of visually impaired individuals from many various cultures. But don’t think for a moment that Iris Hantverk is a charity case. In fact, the manufacturer’s renown has spread between their two retail stores as well as through various domestic and international outlets.
Sara Edhäll and Richard Sparrenhök took over the company from the previous owner in 2012 after the Swedish government withdrew funding for businesses such as Iris Hantverk that employed visually impaired workers. Edhäll and Sparrenhök’s efforts have been far from in vain as today the company thrives thanks to a compelling story and strong online presence. They also receive generous donations from the De Blindas Väl foundation. Today, Iris Hantverk employs six visuallty impaired individuals and just 17 employees in total.
Although Iris Hantverk manufactures more than just pristine, handcrafted brushes, it is undeniable that these expertly made products have won them their renown. Here are a select few of our favourites.
Bath Brush With Handle
Made of oak and horsehair, this bath brush is as equally soft and exfoliating as it is durable. Allowing the brush to dry with the head hanging down will result in the water dripping away from the wooden handle, which will increase the longevity of the product.
Porch Broom With Short Handle
An oil treated birch handle and arenga fibre head make this the ideal porch broom. The broom’s flexibility picks up anything from dust to dirt on what is usually the filthiest area of any home – the front porch.
Dustpan And Brush Set Blå
Every home needs a dustpan and brush, so why not make it the best? No more nifty dirt particles sliding under the dustpan, or lint articles attaching themselves to the brush thanks to the horsehair material and unique dustpan shape. For the uninitiated, blå simply translates to blue.
Shoe Care Box
You can tell a lot about a man by the way he takes care of his shoes – and there’s no better way to take care of shoes than with Iris Hantverk’s Shoe Care Box. The set comes complete with a shoe brush, dauber, polish, and cloth.
For more local Iris Hantverk options, check out Peter’s of Kensington. If you’re looking for other Swedish design pieces to deck out your place, cop this Ikea x Sonos collaboration.
