Hem’s paw-like Palma Pouf series by Kusheda Mensah

Palma Pouf series by Kusheda Mensah x Hem - Photo by Erik Wåhlström, courtesy of Hem.

Palma Pouf series by Kusheda Mensah x Hem – All photos are by Erik Wåhlström, courtesy of Hem.

Design. At this year’s 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, Hem is celebrating a decade of bold, independent creativity—and doing it with a smile. Marking its 10th anniversary, the independent Swedish design brand debuts a whimsical new collection called Palma Pouf, a sculptural series of soft seating by British-Ghanaian designer Kusheda Mensah. This launch also marks the company’s first collaboration with a Black designer.

RELATED STORIES: Read more about 3 Days of Design on Archipanic.

Palma Pouf is anything but ordinary. Imagine oversized, pillowy forms that resemble giant palms or playful paws—each piece with two, three, or even five ‘fingers’ designed to interlock and adapt into informal, inviting arrangements. Think of it as furniture that doesn’t just furnish a space, but actually invites people to gather, lounge, perch, and connect. Whether you’re curling up solo or squeezing in with friends, the organic design cradles you in comfort.

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For Mensah, the moment is personal and powerful. “I’m incredibly excited to be presenting the Palma collection at 3DD – it’s my debut at the festival and a real milestone in my journey as a Black woman in design,” she shared with Archipanic. “This moment is my vision board brought to life.”

The series builds on Mensah’s earlier Manual collection, which first turned heads in Milan back in 2018. Despite critical acclaim, funding hurdles kept her from mass production—until now. With Hem’s support, the design has evolved for both residential and public use, without losing its unique spirit.

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The connection between designer and brand was instant. “Kusheda’s work was an instant love affair,” says Hem’s founder and CEO, Petrus Palmér. “Her rigorous research combined with a playful spirit gave us this paw-like pouf that makes us smile every time.”

The collection is available in soft, pastel hues and a range of luxurious finishes—from tactile boucle to elegant leather, with customisation options aplenty. It’s a celebration of tactile design and thoughtful connection, both to others and to the spaces we inhabit.

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More than just furniture, Palma Pouf invites a rethinking of how we interact with the spaces and people around us. It’s casual, a little unconventional, and endlessly welcoming—just like a good friend.