Article on mbl.is | Published 27.11.2024
https://www.mbl.is/frettir/kynning/2024/11/27/igrundud_honnun/
"Vigt is an Icelandic brand that has been producing furniture and accessories since 2013. We emphasize local production, that our products are designed and manufactured in Iceland, preferably in our own workshop," says Guðfinna Magnúsdóttir, one of the owners of Vigt. Vigt is a family business that Guðfinna runs with her sisters Örna and Hrefna, and their mother, Hulda Halldórsdóttir.
"The origin is our family workshop in Grindavík where the product is created from idea and design to production and distribution. Our goal is to produce timeless products with simplicity and quality as the top priority. We want our customers to experience what the brand stands for, this local production, the tradition and craftsmanship that lies behind the products. Our goal is for the products to remain established as well as to steadily add to the product range. All designs from Vigt are thoughtful, modern and provide inspiration for people's lives and homes."
Passion for creativity
It can truly be said that creativity is in the blood of the sisters, and Guðfinna says that it is most likely a combination of creativity, hard work and energy that drives them forward. The sisters' parents founded the carpentry workshop Grindin together with their grandfather and uncle, and the sisters grew up there for half their lives.
"We have been involved in this world for a long time, the world of interiors and structures. We grew up going on Sunday walks to look at construction sites, cranes and molds. So this was perhaps the most appropriate. We were all interested in design and beautiful things and had all been educated in that direction. It was actually these origins and roots that led us to found Vigt. In the early years of Grindin around 1979, the carpentry workshop was located in the garage of the father and son's home at Víkurbraut 40 in Grindavík. Víkurbraut 40 is one of the houses that are now fully serviced in Grindavík. With the expansion of the business and more equipment, they moved the workshop to Hafnargata, where the workshop still stands."
"Next to the workshop stood the old harbour weighbridge. There had been various activities there before we took that building into use. When we started with the brand, there was speculation about what we should call the brand. It ended up being VIGT, which is where our headquarters were and have been ever since. We then slowly built up the space. Unfortunately, we have not been able to welcome customers for over a year now due to the disaster. We last welcomed people at 4:30 PM on November 10th, but we are happy to have had a working online store from the beginning."
Production in Grindavík
The sisters' lineage in Grindavík can be traced back to the 18th century and Guðfinna says that their heart is truly there. "The workshop is still in Grindavík and we have been working there between events this year since the disaster. All sorts of challenges in the meantime, an impending volcanic eruption, power outages and different transportation routes. We produce in Grindavík and provide services through the online store but are looking at all sorts of solutions for the future in terms of points of sale. We have pop-up events planned outside Grindavík and so maybe soon we can do something in Grindavík, welcome people back," says Guðfinna hopefully, but she says that fortunately they were able to bring the warehouse from Grindavík in time when an eruption was expected in the town. "The warehouse is now back on Hafnargata and this autumn we were ready to open our online store again, vigt.is .“
The inspiration from grandfather
Most of Vigt's products are manufactured in-house, but in some cases they have to turn to other manufacturers, such as stonemasons and blacksmiths. "Our products are both large and small and consist of furniture and accessories. Our dining tables, for example, have been popular, and we have been producing them since 2016. They come in three sizes and are round with a rotating plate in the middle. The plate is removable so that it can be kept on or removed as needed, as it is also popular on its own to place on other tables or kitchen islands. The surface of the tables is linoleum, which is made from 98% natural materials, a material that is renewable and there is plenty of it in the world. Accessories include shelves, mirrors, trays, hangers and much more," says Guðfinna, adding that there is a fun story about the origin of the Allavega product line, which has a long history, at least since 1982.
"These are benches, stands and a walkway that are inspired by old benches that my grandfather built for the old Grindavík Church. These were benches that were used in funerals under coffins. When the church was deconsecrated in 1982, my grandfather took the benches and they have somehow stuck with us ever since. After many years of tinkering, the bench became the inspiration for this furniture line. We have also played around with this line a bit and for Hönnunarmars in 2021 we produced the product line from bluestone in collaboration with Steinkompaní and Granítsmiðjan. It was very fun to see the product line made from Icelandic materials, but then both the production and the material were local."
