ShoparoundThe clean lines of Danish design will be showcased at open days in two shops in Blackrock this Saturday.

Danish kitchen supplier Danish Design and Scandinavian furniture and homewares specialists Nordic Living have teamed up for a Danish-themed open day at both shops on Saturday.

Nordic Living will be unveiling new arrivals from Denmark, including the Hans Wenger Wing Chair and Shell Chair, priced €3,215 and €1,790. The shop will also be showing stylish Danish lighting, including ranges from Best Lite and Le Klint.

Meanwhile, just up the road, Danish Design will be showing new kitchen concepts from Denmark in the company of designers from kitchen manufacturer Sonderborg Kokkenet.

Danish Design is celebrating its 10th year in business. Director Per Ploug says Irish buyers are attracted to Danish design because the styling is clean and crisp while at the same time very practical, often with dual function.

Danish kitchens offer the same functionality as German kitchens without the usual accompanying hard masculine look, Ploug says. "Danish kitchens tend to have more wood in them and have a softer look to German kitchens." The versatility of the kitchens offered at Danish Design is also a big attraction, he says. All Sonderborg Kokkenet kitchens are custom made, allowing great flexibility in colour, materials, size and function, he explains.

High gloss is big at the moment, with Irish buyers going for black, white, cream and red, according to Ploug. In keeping with the streamlined look, T-bar handles are now apparently passé and buyers opting for contemporary kitchens are going for integrated handles or no handles at all. Expect to pay between €40,000 and €50,000 for an average high gloss kitchen from Danish Design.

Danish Design, 69 Main Street, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Tel: 01-278 9040.

Nordic Living, 57 Main Street, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Tel: 01-288 6680.