The Best of Norway Comes to Knoxville- Arnwine’s Home Furnishings celebrates "Norway Days"

Furniture World Magazine

Norwegians Nils Fredrik Drablos and Lasse Gjerdalen flew 22 hours to be here. Company president Kevin McGuinness wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Leather experts Catherine Smoak and Timothy Head, and many others ventured in from places far and wide. They all came to Knoxville for the first American "Norway Days" sponsored by Ekornes and Arnwine’s Home Furnishings. From May 14 – June 1, 2002, Arnwine’s Home Furnishings celebrated this Norwegian invasion by offering seminars, free massages, and lots of prizes, including a trip for two to Norway. Norway Days is a celebration of the Norwegian culture, says McGuinness, president of Ekornes U.S.A. "Norwegians have an unusual enthusiasm for living. They embrace activity like we couldn’t begin to fathom. And part of their mission is to reinvent how we live, creating solutions that make all of our lives better. That passion for better living is part of what we are bringing to Knoxville. Drablos and Gjerdalen came as Norwegian Goodwill Ambassadors, here to introduce the community to a culture Knoxville residents may not know. They brought with them the tastes of Norway (Norwegian Salmon and Jarlsberg cheese) and the some of the fashion of Norway (Devold sweaters). But their most proud export is the chair known as the most comfortable chair in the world, the Stressless® chair by Ekornes. Founded in 1934, Ekornes is so successful it is responsible for 90% of Norway’s exports. It’s one of the few companies as successful abroad as it is at home. The Stressless® chair has high sales all over the world, especially in Europe where it is the best selling recliner. "Ekornes and Stressless® personify the Norwegian culture," explains McGuinness. "It’s furniture for people who want to share and interact together but also be separate and individually active. It’s not static stuff. And that’s a very Norwegian idea." As part of the celebration. Arnwine’s and Ekornes gave away chances to experience Norwegian culture first hand. Customers registered during Norway Days to win Devold sweaters, his and her Ekornes watch sets, Stressless® chairs and one grand prize: a trip for two to Norway.