Playing games—a term often used casually to describe a child’s pastime, or sometimes an adult’s less-than-mature behavior—has long carried a dismissive undertone. The phrase suggests frivolity, distraction, or escape from serious pursuits. Yet this diminutive framing overlooks something fundamental about human behavior and cognition.

Play is not trivial. It is foundational.

Across cultures and throughout history, structured conjure has been essential for developing relationships, sharpening the mind, and refining strategic thinking. Games teach us how to negotiate rules, anticipate outcomes, merge, compete, and adapt to uncertainty. In an increasingly unstable and digitally saturated world, these skills are more relevant than ever.

Traditional games derive their enduring value not from simplicity, but from difficulty. Their power lies in resistance: the constraints of rules transform simple movements—placing a chess piece, drawing a card, rolling dice—into meaningful pursuits. Through these structured challenges, games create spaces for concentration, creativity, and connection.

This philosophy sits at the heart of a new converge between PRINTWORKS (design brand) and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, a partnership that reimagines classic analog games through thoughtful design and tactile craftsmanship.

a return

The collaboration introduces a refined trio of tabletop classics: Playing Cards, Classic Chess, and Classic Backgammon. While the games themselves are centuries old, their reinterpretation reflects a growing cultural shift away from purely digital entertainment toward slower, more intentional experiences.

In an era defined by constant notifications, algorithmic feeds, and ephemeral digital interaction, analog games offer something increasingly rare—presence.

A chess match demands attention and patience. A backgammon game invites conversation and strategic risk. Even a deck of cards can transform a quiet evening into a shared ritual of competition, storytelling, and laughter.

PRINTWORKS has built its reputation on exactly this premise. The Stockholm-based design brand specializes in objects that combine utility with aesthetic refinement—games, puzzles, and tools that feel as much like design pieces as they do functional objects.

By collaborating with Rosewood, a hospitality brand known for curating experiences rooted in cultural authenticity, the project extends this philosophy into spaces where people gather, relax, and connect.

phil

Central to the connection  is the Scandinavian philosophy “Leva I nuet,” a phrase that translates loosely as to live in the moment.

This idea resonates deeply within Nordic design traditions, which emphasize simplicity, mindfulness, and the quiet pleasure of everyday rituals. Objects are not merely tools—they are companions in lived experience.

In the context of play, this philosophy encourages participants to slow down. Rather than rushing through games or treating them as casual distractions, players are invited to immerse themselves in the moment: to appreciate the tactile feel of pieces, the unfolding strategy of moves, and the shared attention of those around the table.

The PRINTWORKS × Rosewood collection embodies this ethos through its material choices, visual language, and emphasis on physical interaction.

The pieces are designed not only to be used, but to be felt.

stir

One of the defining features of the collection is its design-forward approach to classic games.

Rather than leaning into nostalgic aesthetics—wood-paneled boards, ornate carvings, or traditional patterns—the collaboration adopts a contemporary visual language that aligns with modern interiors. Clean lines, subtle color palettes, and architectural forms allow the games to function as decorative objects even when not in use.

This approach reflects PRINTWORKS’ broader mission: to transform everyday items into objects that enrich living spaces.

A chess set placed on a coffee table becomes an invitation to engage. A deck of playing cards displayed on a shelf hints at evenings spent around the table. A backgammon board left open suggests an unfinished match awaiting its next move.

The result is a collection that blurs the boundary between design object and social catalyst.

chess

Chess has long been considered the intellectual centerpiece of traditional board games. Originating in India more than 1,500 years ago before spreading through Persia and Europe, the game evolved into a global symbol of strategic thinking and disciplined concentration.

In the PRINTWORKS × Rosewood collection, chess becomes something more than a competitive exercise—it becomes a sculptural experience.

Each piece is carefully shaped to balance elegance with recognizability. The forms are simplified but expressive, allowing players to immediately identify each role on the board while appreciating the aesthetic harmony of the set as a whole.

The board itself reflects the restrained elegance of Scandinavian design. Rather than overwhelming the eye with contrast or ornamentation, it invites focus on the interplay of pieces and the unfolding narrative of the match.

In this way, chess becomes not only a test of intellect but also a meditation on form and movement.

backgammon

Backgammon, often described as one of the world’s oldest known board games, introduces a different dynamic.

Where chess rewards careful planning and deep foresight, backgammon combines strategy with unpredictability. Dice rolls inject chance into the game, forcing players to adapt constantly to shifting circumstances.

This blend of skill and randomness mirrors life itself: we plan carefully, yet outcomes remain uncertain.

The PRINTWORKS × Rosewood backgammon board captures this tension through its design. The playing surface emphasizes geometric clarity, while the pieces and dice introduce tactile elements that encourage interaction.

Opening the board becomes part of the ritual—the unfolding of an object that signals the start of shared time.

playing cards

Among the three offerings, playing cards represent the most flexible form of play.

Unlike chess or backgammon, which follow relatively fixed rules, a deck of cards can support countless variations—from casual games among friends to intense tournaments of skill.

This adaptability has made card games universal across cultures and generations.

The PRINTWORKS × Rosewood playing cards reinterpret this timeless tool through refined materials and graphic design. The packaging is elegant yet understated, allowing the deck to sit comfortably among books, design objects, and art pieces.

But the true value of playing cards lies not in their appearance—it lies in the interactions they facilitate.

A simple card game can dissolve social barriers, spark conversations, and create memories that linger long after the final hand is played.

flow

The partnership between PRINTWORKS and Rosewood reflects a growing convergence between design culture and hospitality.

Luxury hotels are increasingly moving beyond accommodation to create environments where guests experience curated rituals—from art exhibitions and culinary collaborations to wellness programming and cultural events.

By introducing thoughtfully designed games into these spaces, Rosewood reinforces the idea that hospitality is about facilitating meaningful moments.

A chess match in a hotel lounge, a backgammon game on a terrace at sunset, or a deck of cards shared over drinks—all of these experiences transform hospitality spaces into stages for connection.

craft

The emphasis on craftsmanship within the PRINTWORKS × Rosewood collection also reflects a broader cultural reaction to digital saturation.

For much of the past decade, technology has dominated entertainment. Streaming services, mobile games, and social media platforms compete constantly for attention.

Yet many people now seek balance—activities that offer sensory richness and direct interaction.

Analog games provide exactly that. The weight of a chess piece, the shuffle of cards, the sound of dice on wood—these tactile experiences engage the senses in ways that screens cannot replicate.

By emphasizing materials, textures, and physical presence, the collaboration reminds players that touch is an essential dimension of experience.

culture

Beyond their strategic complexity or design elegance, games serve another crucial function: they bring people together.

Across cultures, games have always been social rituals. Families gather around tables, friends challenge one another in friendly competition, and strangers bond over shared rules.

The PRINTWORKS × Rosewood collection builds upon this tradition by framing games not simply as entertainment but as tools for connection.

In a world where digital communication often replaces physical interaction, the act of sitting across from another person and focusing on the same board or deck becomes quietly powerful.

fwd

As interest in mindful living continues to grow, objects that encourage intentional experiences are becoming increasingly valuable.

The PRINTWORKS × Rosewood collaboration reflects this cultural shift. By elevating classic games through design and craftsmanship, the collection invites players to rediscover the pleasure of analog interaction.

It reminds us that meaningful experiences often emerge from simple structures: a board, a set of rules, and the willingness to engage.

sum

Ultimately, the project’s guiding philosophy—Leva I nuet—captures its essence.

To live in the moment is not merely to slow down. It is to pay attention: to the people around us, to the objects we interact with, and to the unfolding rhythm of shared experiences.

A chess match played slowly.
A backgammon game stretching into the evening.
A deck of cards shuffled between conversations.

These moments may appear ordinary, yet they represent something increasingly rare in modern life—undivided attention.

Through thoughtful design and timeless games, PRINTWORKS and Rosewood invite us to rediscover the quiet power of play.

And in doing so, they remind us that sometimes the most meaningful experiences arise not from complexity or spectacle, but from the simple act of gathering around a table and beginning a game.

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