Twenty years ago, Ove Rogne designed a lamp for his own flat because he could not find one he liked. That lamp, Oslo Wood, went on to become one of Northern's most recognisable pieces, found today in thousands of homes, cabins, and hotels across Norway and beyond.
To mark the anniversary, Northern is launching a limited shade in Muted Pink alongside the original design. We sat down with Ove, the lamp's designer and Northern's founder and CEO, to talk about where Oslo Wood came from, what it was built to change, and why it still holds up two decades later.
A lamp born out of frustration
Oslo Wood turns 20 this year. How do you look back on its journey?
At the time, many homes were filled with floor lamps that combined uplights and side arms. They were functional, but often ugly, visually heavy, and lacking atmosphere. I wanted something better for my own flat, and for others: a more beautiful, more considered, and more emotionally engaging lamp, one that did more than just illuminate a room. It should contribute to the space itself.
When I designed Oslo Wood back in 2006, I could not have imagined it would become such a familiar object in so many homes, cabins, and hotels across Norway and beyond. It has taken on a life of its own over the years.
Light, upward and outward
The lamp has a very distinctive form language. How did you approach its design
Geometry was central. The Northern team and I worked carefully with proportions, using principles related to the golden ratio to guide the relationship between base, stem, and shade. I wanted the entire structure to feel naturally balanced and calm. The intention was always to create a functional lamp where ornamentation is not the focus. Instead, simplicity of form and clarity of structure allow it to adapt to different interiors and architectural contexts.
It should feel integrated, not imposed.
Was there something you wanted to change in lighting design at the time?
Yes. I felt many lamps at the time were either overly decorative, or on the other hand purely functional and cold, without emotional warmth. Light has the ability to create emotion and warmth, and a good lighting object adds that to any space. So I simply wanted to create something that felt softer and more human.
Oslo Wood was also about restraint. It should not compete with the space, it should support it.
That idea of humility in design is also something I value deeply. A good object does not need to shout to be noticed.
Twenty years on
Why do you think Oslo Wood has remained relevant for 20 years?
I think it is because it balances opposites: structure and softness, presence and subtlety, function and atmosphere.
It adds warmth, structure, and character without overwhelming a space. It stands slightly in the background, yet defines the mood of the room.
That quiet presence is perhaps why it has found its place in interiors for so many years.
A new shade for the anniversary
Northern is celebrating the anniversary with a pink shade version. What is the idea behind this anniversary edition?
The anniversary edition is a way of marking 20 years with something fresh and celebratory.
The Muted Pink shade brings a new emotional tone to Oslo Wood. It still preserves the original character, but it changes how the light feels: more expressive, almost like a soft sunset atmosphere, while keeping the warm essence intact, which is key to the lamp.
It is a reminder that even a familiar design can evolve and reveal new qualities over time, just by making small changes.
What Oslo Wood represents today
Finally, what does Oslo Wood represent to you today?
It represents the idea that thoughtful design can endure. Something that is quiet, functional, and emotionally present can remain relevant for decades.
Oslo Wood continues to live in many different environments, from private homes to cabins and hotels, and still creates atmosphere wherever it is placed. That continuity is the most meaningful outcome I could hope for.
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