Hooked on Loca

One of our bestsellers here at CA Modern Home is the Knax Coat Hook by Loca, and it’s easy to see why. These simple, beautiful and oh-so-useful tiny pieces of art encapsulate everything that’s best about Danish modern design. The only thing that sets it apart from most modern design classics is the price tag. The Knax is affordable style at its best.

The warm, mellow grain of the Teak Untreated

We love Loca’s backstory - a real “necessity is the mother of invention” classic. Back in 1992, Danish dad (and engineer) Thorkild Lundsgaard had just fixed up his daughter’s bedroom, but couldn’t find the finishing touch he was looking for - a simple, ultracool coat rack. So he made a prototype, and became so interested in the process that he got in touch with Danish industrial designers Harrit & Sorenson. Together, they designed the Knax, named after the sound the hooks made as they sprang back into place.

In 1995 Thorkild took the Knax to a trade fair, hoping to show it and maybe sell a few units. Instead, he walked away with the Formland Prize, the biggest prize for innovative Scandinavian design, and since then, the brand has gone from strength to strength.

Design philosophy

The classic Knax is the Horizontal, a streamlined rack with metal hooks laid flat into the work. The hooks spring back when not in use, maintaining the unobtrusive, understated style of the piece.  The elegant functionality and simplicity of the design means it’s no surprise that the Knax was designed by engineers. It follows the modern design principles of no-frills utility of Danish modern design, started back in the 1920s by Kaare Klint, an architect and furniture designer whose work centred on functionality, correct proportions, high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Loca have carried on his tradition as well as that of Danish design giants Poul Henningson, Arne Jacobsen and Hans Wegner.

The striking in-your-face grain of limited edition Zebra Wood

Wood was the obvious choice for the initial design, but finding that just-right combination of support material and hook took a while to get right. Now the Knax is available in a range of beautiful wood such as maple, cherry, birch, teak, walnut, zebra wood and bamboo, sourced from reputable suppliers around the globe.  The wood is first dried and processed before Loca artisans hand craft the raw planks into the finished product.

The burnt coffee patina of the Oak Smoked

Variety is the spice of life

Since its beginnings, Loca has always maintained the simplicity of Knax and it’s this simplicity that has contributed to its timelessness. It’s never in fashion but never out of style - which is how modern design works!  But over the years Loca has created a range of finishes to vary the look and feel for different tastes.

Cherry Laquer with aluminum hooks: the Modern Bright

You want lime green, hot orange or turquoise? You got it. You want copper hooks? No problem. And if wood really isn’t your thing, choose a black or white laquer finish for classic monotone appeal. The Knax doesn’t have the child-like playfulness of the Eames’  Hang-It-All rack, or the modernist weirdness of the Matégot Coatrack, but that’s not what it’s for.

Loca’s limited edition copper hooks set in smoked oak.

Because it’s affordable, the Knax is perfect for finishing any space with a contemporary but classic feel.

CA Modern Home is proud to be the only U.S. authorized Loca dealer. We stock many wood and color variations, ready for next day shipping. Call us now to request a trade quote. 1800.605.1859