Chrystina Schmidt set up the concept of Skandium with partner Magnus Englund in 1998, together with a third, sleeping partner, Christopher Seidenfaden. The first store in Wigmore street opened in September 1999.

The idea behind Skandium is to promote good Scandinavian design, both the Scandinavian modernist tradition and good contemporary design, creating a ‘sweet store’ of good Scandinavian products. Within the company we name it the ‘United Nations of Scandinavian design’. This, as for the first time ever there was a concept on the market promoting all things relating to Scandinavian modernism, not just one or the other country within the region. In recent years items from counties outside the Nordic region have been added, always keeping in mind modernist history, ethos and production quality. All items produced by their original manufacturers. The pieces are reflecting the easy everyday living philosophy fostered in all Scandinavian countries, although the taste within each country differs. Magnus Englund and Chrystina Schmidt are authors of two publications, ‘Scandinavian Modern’ and ‘Scandinavian Country’ of which the first book has been translated into 11 languages and sold over 100.000 copies.