On my radar: 8 design classics reissued from the archives for 2018

Something I noticed both at Milan’s Salone del Mobile and Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design this year was the reissue of design classics from the archive.

Danish brand Karakter for instance, who I’ve already written about before, are creating a distinctive identity for themselves, combining unique and characterful pieces by designers both dead and alive into their collection. &tradition, too, have one foot in the past and one in the future, respecting their heritage and preserving forgotten designs, while opening up the collection to new designers to reinvent traditions and create the classics – or ‘future collectibles’ of tomorrow.

But why this sudden need for nostalgia? I have a couple of theories. First, these designs are by renowned, respected names – famous mid-century architects and designers whose work appeals to design enthusiasts. They’re pieces that will retain, or even gain, their value and stand the test of time, unlike cheaper, high-street pieces that might fall out of fashion. The Danes in particular seem to have a great respect for the legacy of the past, they know their design identity is built on their unique heritage. There’s an element of trust and honesty when buying a design classic, you know you’re getting something that is authentic, considered, high quality and lovingly crafted.

Design classics are also built to last. These pieces have remained relevant and contemporary exactly because of the way they’ve been designed – with a dedication to craftsmanship and a meticulous attention to detail. Many of these designers would work closely with joiners and manufacturers to carefully hone the design, taking away any unnecessary details and ensuring the piece worked on both a functional as well as an aesthetic level. There’s something that appeals about a piece of furniture still being made in the country it was conceived, something that feels tactile and handmade, rather than mass produced. And now with new technologies, designs can be brought to the future as the best version of themselves, tweaked to ensure the best level of comfort. But really I think the designs below show that sometimes simple really is best.

So let’s have a closer look at eight of my favourite design classics being reissued for 2018:

Planner Coffee Tables by Paul McCobb (1953) for Fritz Hansen
With the trend for marble showing no signs of abating, you’ve probably seen copy after copy of designs like the below. But did you know that the original was by Paul McCobb – one of the leading names of the American modernist movement. The self-taught designer created the Planner coffee table in 1953, placing a thin marble top on an elegant steel frame to create a sophisticated, functional classic.

McCobb was known for creating simple, streamlined designs, free of ornamentation and superfluous additions. His pieces have a clarity and sense of lightness to them. The Planner Group was so-called because he wanted people to be able to easily plan a room around the furniture.

McCobb’s designs have not been in production since the 1960s, but they’re enjoying something of renaissance right now. Fritz Hansen will be launching the Planner table in three different sizes – square, circular and rectangular – each with a thin table top only 20mm thick. The dark black marble is richly veined with white lines, while the cream version has a lighter, more contemporary expression.

Available in September 2018

The Knitting Chair by Ib Kofod-Larsen (1951) for MENU
Designed by the late Danish architect and furniture designer Ib Kofod-Larsen – renowned for his clean, elegant designs in dark wood – the Knitting Chair has a distinctive, triangular frame that sits low to the ground. It was first presented at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Furniture Exhibition in 1951 other iconic mid-century designs that helped define Danish modernism; pieces by the likes of Hans J. Wegner, Finn Juhl and Nanna Ditzel. The chair was initially put into production but only as a limited edition.

MENU’s reissue comes in a dark stained solid oak with grey-brown aniline leather, offering a more contemporary take on the traditional, polished wood of similar style chairs. Two cut-outs were carefully positioned by Kofod-Larsen to support the elbows, while the gently curved seat and back creates the perfect recline for relaxing.

‘Ib’s furniture was rooted in reality,’ says the designer’s son, Jan Kofod-Larsen. ‘He took a lot of pride in his work, and was iterative in the design process, working closely with his manufacturers to get every detail just right. His hope was to create design that would endure, both functionally and aesthetically. So there is a clear parallel with MENU’s design philosophy: the ideal of keeping the best, and leaving the rest. Ib would have been very happy to see that people continue to appreciate his furniture today. And I think he would have enjoyed MENU’s approach and focus on creating for the future while respecting the past.’

48 Series and Cocktail Bench (1948) by Finn Juhl for House of Finn Juhl
House of Finn Juhl, the only brand to have exclusive rights to the Danish architect’s designs, has reissued his 48 Series – comprising a two-seater sofa-bench and an armchair.

The two designs were first presented at the Cabinet Makers’ Guild Exhibition in 1948 and are instantly recognisable as Finn Juhl pieces by their sculptural form. The sofa-bench is made of a gently curved, wing-like back rest and seat, upholstered in fabric or leather, that embraces the sitter. With a fine wooden frame, it has a lightweight silhouette that makes it appear like it could take flight at any minute.

The 48 Series comes in oak with teak armrests and feet, or entirely in walnut.

Pot chair by Arne Jacobsen (1960) for Fritz Hansen
Everyone is familiar with Arne Jacobsen’s iconic Swan and Egg chairs. At the same as he was designing his signature sculptural designs for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen in 1960, he also created the Pot chair. The simple piece was designed for the hotel’s Orchid bar and Winter Garden but failed to prove as popular as its more characterful cousins and was taken out of production.

Now available in a new palette of colours, the Pot is a low, comfortable lounge chair that has an elegant and timeless appeal. Choose from pale pink, terracotta orange or deep blue.

‘The Pot is the forgotten chair, which deserves a relaunch. I see the chair as one of Jacobsen’s quieter and floating designs – almost like a leaf in the air. The chair is surprisingly comfortable and spacious and the slightly modified 2018 version of the Pot is a compliment to Arne Jacobsen’s more modest design style and a beautiful example of less is more,’ says Christian Andresen, head of design at Fritz Hansen. 

Little Petra by Viggo Boesen (1938) for &tradition
First designed in 1938, Little Petra is charming little armchair with a cosy, inviting look. It was conceived by Viggo Boesen, a lesser-known Danish architect, who helped popularise the funkis style – an approach that offered a softer, more organic alternative to the clean lines and minimalism of the Bauhaus. The chair is named after Boesen’s petite mother-in-law – sitting low to the ground, it’s gently curved back embraces the sitter.

In the 1930s, Boesen partnered with cabinetmakers A. J. Iversen to create made-to-order versions of the chair for private clients. Roughly only about 30 pieces were ever made, but each one is ever so slightly different, giving &tradition the challenge of creating the perfect shape and comfort for their new reissue. Little Petra is now available in three different upholstered fabrics, with white oiled oak or dark walnut legs.

‘Little Petra is a real find from the archives of Danish design,’ says Martin Kornbek Hansen, &tradition’s CEO, ‘Although not very well known by the public at large, Boesen’s work contributed to the overall Danish aesthetics back in the 1930s. We’re so pleased to honour his original concept, adding a new page to the history books.’

Society Table by Arne Jacobsen (1952) for Carl Hansen & Son
And now onto another modernist design by Arne Jacobsen – this time a desk – a one-off creation designed in 1952 as a gift for the opening of American-Scandinavian Foundation’s new office in New York. Only a handful of original Society Tables were produced and now Danish brand Carl Hansen & Son is bringing this elegant, functional piece back with a slightly updated version.

Jacobsen combined a leather tabletop with a lightweight, tubular metal frame and a veneer wood drawer unit. Four thin metal tubes suspend the drawer unit and give the appearance that it is floating. The steel gives a utilitarian feel to the design, while the dark wood feels distinctly mid-century. Like many of his designs and architectural projects, Jacobsen liked to create a complete concept, paying attention to all the little details – here he included a wooden table shelf for letters and envelopes, as well as integrating a stainless steel desk lamp.

The Society Table comes in two different sizes, while the drawers are available in solid oak, walnut or black-painted oak.

‘The Society Table is an expression of my grandfather’s remarkable ability to make the complex appear very simple. The desk is also an archetypal example of his functionalist approach to the design process, so it is very significant that the Society Table is now being put into production,’ says Jacobsen’s grandson Tobias Jacobsen, who has been working closely with Fritz Hansen on the new addition.

Spanish dining chair by Børge Mogensen (1964) for Fredericia
You might already be familiar with Børge Mogensen’s classic Spanish Chair, now Danish brand Fredericia has released a dining chair version.

Originally designed in 1958, the Spanish Chair was presented at Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild’s Exhibition. While travelling through Spain, Mogensen had come across a traditional type of chair with wide armrests, common in places shaped by ancient Islamic culture. Combining these influences with his ideas on simple modernism and functionalism, Mogensen created a low, sturdy armchair with a highly durable saddle leather seat and back.

Today the chair is still handcrafted in Denmark, using the highest quality vegetable-tanned leathers produced by 140-year-old tannery Tärnsjö Garveri in nearby Sweden.

Raised up to suit contemporary dining tables, the Spanish dining chair, in comparison, has a more lightweight look. It comes with or without armrests, and in various shades of wood to suit different style homes.

Available in September 2018

CH71 and CH72 by Hans J. Wegner (1952) for Carl Hansen & Son
Hans J. Wegner’s sculptural CH71 lounge chair and CH72 two-seater sofa are being put back into production for the first time since the 1970s.

The two designs were first presented at the Danish Furniture Design exhibition at the renowned Copenhagen department store, Magasin du Nord, in 1952. Both are slim, neat designs, with a curved, upholstered frame and tapered, solid wood legs in oak or walnut. They are characterised by a wooden handle at the end of the armrests that protects against wear and tear.

‘The set complements our comprehensive collection of Wegner furniture in every respect, and is unique among the great Danish designer’s works – particularly in its dimensions,’ says Knud Erik Hansen, Carl Hansen & Son’s CEO. ‘Both the lounge chair and sofa speak to a very contemporary home trend that celebrates the compact residential property in large towns and cities, where space is often limited. Wegner succeeded in designing an elegant chair and matching sofa that take up little space, while offering a level of comfort normally associated with more voluminous furniture. The chair and sofa appear soft, organic and beautiful from all angles, making them easy to position anywhere.’

Available in September 2018

All images courtesy of respective brands