Hobo Hotel Oslo - custom made textile

When you sink into the sofas at Hobo Hotel Oslo, you’re not just taking a seat; you’re stepping into an artistic universe. Print designer Kiki Plesner-Löfroth is the creative force behind the colorful textiles that shape the atmosphere in the hotel’s restaurant, library, and outdoor terrace.

How was it to collaborate with Hobo Oslo?

It was incredibly fun. I was asked to create a pattern that expressed the Hobo universe: playful, colorful, and different. The result was a series of characters that represent different personalities; the kind, the curious, the festive. These small, almost mythological figures invite you to connect with them. I worked closely with Studio Aisslinger and the Hobo design team.

The textiles are now featured on four large sofas in the main restaurant, as well as in the library, in a different color palette. On the terrace, guests can wrap themselves in blankets I designed, inspired by traditional Norwegian patchwork, but reinterpreted in a modern way. They are woven at Grinaker Vev in Norway, combining local craftsmanship with a fresh design language.

Can you describe your creative practice?

I run Plesner Patterns, designing textiles and wallpapers, often produced locally in Norway. My work always starts in an analog way with brushes, ink, or objects I find, before I move the process digitally. This leaves traces of craftsmanship and an imperfect charm. I am inspired by nature and small everyday moments. For me, patterns are about shaping our surroundings and creating something people can drift into; a visual journey that offers a mental pause.

What do you want guests to experience when they see your work at the hotel?

I hope they notice the details. Maybe not immediately, but over time, as they sit and discover new figures and colors. I also want my patterns to spark joy and curiosity. That’s exactly what makes a design hotel or boutique hotel in Oslo and other cities special; it takes you into a unique universe, offering an experience you won’t find anywhere else.

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“Working with Kiki at Plesner Patterns has been an inspiring process from start to finish. Kiki took our input and interpreted it in a surprising way—with delicate brushstrokes she created an expression that is both distinctive and vibrant. Committed and eager to find solutions, she worked with an openness and creativity that made the collaboration both rewarding and playful.

The result is textiles that not only add aesthetics to the space, but also a story—a visual universe of beings that give life and character to Hobo Oslo. We are incredibly proud of what we have created together and grateful for her artistic vision and dedication.

Thank you so much, Kiki, for the inspiration and the wonderful collaboration!”

Anette Rønneberg, Project Manager for Strawberry, Project Hobo Hotell Oslo