Concrete mix

Polished concrete;  we just can't get enough of it at the moment.  So when we stumbled upon these images, we just had to include them in a post.  The contrast between the austere finish of the walls and floor and the cosiness of the pile 'em high folksie cushions on the Roche Bobois-esque sofa makes the space just so inviting.  Then dangle giant and incredibly ornate chandelier above the table, dot a few pieces of beautifully crafted wooden furniture about the place, sprinkle with design classics and finish with huge fluffy rug. 

Voila ............ a room to die for!

Spot the classics?

Chair One (swivel, with concrete base) designed by Konstantin Grcic for Magis.

Puppy by Eero Aarnio for Magis.

Wassliy Chair by Marcel Breuer.

Images:  Guilherme Torres, Rooms of London, pid ltd, Furniture Blog Store

Check out the talent

We so enjoyed our recent post in which we reviewed the works of two up-and-coming designers, that we've decided to make 'new, fresh, young and talented' a more regular feature.  So, where to start?  Well, how about with groupDesign, formed by two designers, Richard Wells and Jeremy Schotte, who wanted to combine their commercial, bespoke and architectural design experience to create progressive lighting, furniture and home accessories.  Working on projects individually and as a partnership, Wells and Schotte believe that collaboration adds a richness and depth to the design process.

We adore the clean lines, simplicity and craftsmanship which is more than evident in their designs ........

Multifunctional piece of furniture designed as an elegant space-saving solution for the modern living space;  an occasional chair in its resting state, the Library Chair folds into a step ladder when needed.

Credits/Images:  groupDesign

Boomerang chill

'Boomerang chill' is the latest innovative piece in the Boomerang collection designed by Quim Larrea.  Clean and formal simplicity, solid ash wood-grain and carefully machined curves, all showcase the noble and naturalistic crafting of a design classic. 

The seat, almost at ground level, leads to the use of the adjective in Boomerang chill;  it is designed as a seat for relaxing atmospheres.  And whilst we adore the name, we simply adore the design even more............... and we certainly wouldn't mind chilling out in any of these!

Images:  Sancal, Ke-Zu

more industrial chic

Inspired by our recent post on Jean Prouvé, we bring you more industrial furniture from the 1950s and 60s.

Friso Kramer chairs manufactured by De Cirkel Ahrend dating from 1963.  

The chairs are made from a black folded metal structure with moulded plywood seating and back rest.

Industrial drafting table and chair designed by Friso Kramer in 1965. 

Industrial table with metal V shaped structure from the Pyramid series designed by Wim Rietveld, son of iconic figure Gerrit Rietveld.

Oase chairs designed by Wim Rietveld for De Cirkel Ahrend in 1958.

Revolt chairs designed for Ahrend by Friso Kramer and first launched in 1953.

Wim Rietveld's Pyramid table and chairs marked Ahrend De Cirkel, c. 1960s.

1960s chairs with wooden arm rest from de Marko.

Credits/Images:  city-furniture.be

The new romantic

Last night, as we cleaned out the hearth and readied the fireplace for its first officially lighting of autumn (or is it winter today ........ gosh, we are so cold) we had a "decorative veneer" moment;  that's right, we came over all romantic! 

So today, we'd like to be in this room, even though its probably a bit draughty!  OK, so we'd have to have a bit of a clear out.  But this room, in that chair, under that chandelier, next to that fire ...... mmmh!

Spot the classic?  Designed in 1951 by Hans Wegner, the Bear Chair was originally manufactured by AP Stolen Denmark.  Often called "the most comfortable chair ever made!" and simply known as 'model 19', this classic has become an icon of mid-century Danish design.  Its Danish name (Bamsestol) translates to 'Bear Chair' and in recent years has become affectionately known as the 'Papa Bear Chair'.

Credits/Images: Flickr, Modernica

wing me back!

Launched in September 2008, Tom Dixon by George Smith is a contemporary British upholstery brand that unites quality traditional manufacturing techniques and contemporary design.  The collaboration challenges the method of manufacturing contemporary shapes, pushing the boundaries, to develop an innovative product. Resolutely British; the collection celebrates the traditions of British upholstered furniture with each piece hand made by George Smith using long established techniques practiced for over 250 years.

So, how to make a 'Wingback' ........

We spy rubberised hair!

Oh, and apologies for the post title ...... but we couldn't resist!

Credits/Images:  Rosso Ubarri,  Tom Dixon by George Smith

Wish list

Yummy.  Want.  Now ........... please.

i-SIT is an universal lounge chair that is suitable for people of all ages and sizes. It's designers are Danish studio Design Concern and manufacturer – Magnus Olesen. The main idea of the chair is to provide a well-functioning and comfortable place where you can sit and rest.

The chair already has received the Red Dot Design Award 2010.



Credits/Images:  DigsDigs

Love|Hate

Modernica collaborated with artist Peter Shire to design the Prince Charles Chair, playfully named after the originator of the design, Charles Eames. The chair is an elegant and ironic juxtaposition – past and present; a combination of two recognisable styles artfully embracing 300 years of furniture design into a single chair. But do we like? Ermmmmh????

Credits/Image: Today and Tomorrow

Fancy a lie down?

We've been inspired by Ercol's recent re-issue of the 'Studio Couch'.  Although not technically a day bed, the Studio Couch was developed to function both as a generously proportioned sofa and an occasional single bed for overnight guests.  First introduced in the late 1950s and designed by Ercol's founder Lucian Ercolani, its a British take on the Scandi-style that was so popular in the decade after the war.

Credits/Images:  Daily Tonic 

You decide ....

We've been extremely busy at chairsmith central this morning trying to pick a favourite from this little lot.  No joy, we just can't decide!  Perhaps you could let us know which is your favourite ..... the polling station is open and ready for you to cast your vote.

The CH445, also known as the Wing Chair, was designed by Hans Wegner in 1960 but only brought into major production in 2006.

The Kangaroo, or Model  No. 5672, by George Nelson alludes to traditional club chairs with its buttoned upholstery but is still very much in line with the Modern spirit.

The Womb chair was Eero Saarinen's first design for Knoll in 1948.  In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Saarinen's birth, Knoll has introduced the Womb Chair upholstered in a 100% pure natural colour cashmere (as pictured above).  One hundred chairs will be made, each with a commemorative plate numbered from 1 to 100.  To find out more, press here.

The CH468 was designed by Wegner in 1960, roughly at the same time as he created the Wing Chair and Ox Chair. Until its recent launch in 2010, the design remained a prototype.  One of the prototypes was carefully prepared for production through close cooperation between Carl Hansen & Son and the Hans J. Wegner studio, using Wegner's original drawings, clay model and prototype.

The Heron by Ernest Race was designed in 1956 and re-issued for the 100% design Exhibition.  The design incorporates technically challenging upholstery techniques which are still in use today, after 54 years.

Credits/Images:  Aram (CH445, Womb (cashmere) and CH468), Architonic (Kangaroo) and Race Furniture (Heron)

Balancing act

We thought we'd do something a little different today and have opted for, ermmh, sculptures and installations.  Yes, I know what you're thinking, but we are staying true to our roots.  Well, sort of!!  Here's our small selection of some extremely amazing propositions.  We hope you enjoy them.

The Black Hole by Michel de Beoin, 2006.

Installation by Doris Salcedo, created for the International Istanbul Biennale in 2003 and included over 1550 chairs stacked between two city buildings.

Wallpaper* magazine commissioned designer Martino Gamper to create a modern-day Chair Arch for the London Design Festival in 2009. Using Ercol stacking chairs as his building blocks, Gamper built two overlapping arches in the courtyard of the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Alejandra Laviada creates sculptures with found objects in order to alter our conceptions of everyday objects.

Helmut Palla transforms found chairs into unique art pieces.

This picture is from the series 'Memorandoms' by James Nizam.

'In the Woods' by Karen Ryan, 2009.

'Myth Monolith (Liberation Movement)' by Marc Andre Robinson, 2007

Credits/Images:  Design Boom (The Black Hole and Doris Salcedo), Alistair Hall (Chair Arch), Today and Tomorrow (Helmut Palla, James Nizam), Mocoloco (Chair Arch) and National Design Collective (Karen Ryan and Marc Andre Robinson)

Think small

Small people need chairs too, and here is our pick of the vintage crop ................

Child's chair designed by Dutch modernist Friso Kramer, 1963

Beech plywood child's chairs

Image:  MidMod Design