Often I receive news releases or spot new designs out and about at furniture fairs, but they don’t immediately manifest themselves into blog posts. There’s been a couple of lovely pieces that have popped up on my radar recently so I thought I would pen a post dedicated to 6 new (to me) furniture designs. There’s lovely Scandi finds, newly launched initiatives and a homewares pop-up in London this month. Scroll down and enjoy…
Skagerak Hang Chair
This Skagerak chair, designed by Chris L. Halstrøm, transforms the humble deck chair into a contemporary lounge chair for both inside and outside. In development since 2012, the simple steel frame and padded seat is inspired by architectural elements such as suspension bridges and traditional rope bridges. There’s something quite Japanese about the design, with its simple but solid black framework.
Erik Jorgensen
I discovered Erik Jorgensen at Clerkenwell Design Week in May – I’m in love with Savannah sofa designed by Swedish designer Monica Forster with its smooth, minimal lines. Handcrafted in Erik Jorgensen’s factory in Denmark’s Svendborg, the chunky wooden structure is wrapped in saddleback leather and comes with hand-sewn seat cushions.
Oliver Furniture
Copenhagen-based brand Oliver Furniture presents a stylish scandi collection of wooden furniture, from loft beds and childrens’ furniture to minimal storage units. Designed by cabinetmaker and designer Søren Rørbæk, the focus is on a simple aesthetic, high quality craftsmanship and Nordic values. The Seaside Collection is inspired by easy beach-house living, while the Wood Collection highlights the hidden beauty of wood. Available at www.nubie.co.uk
LABEL/BREED
New to my radar but launched at Ventura Lambrate during the Salone del Mobile in Milan last year, LABEL/BREED is a new initiative that pairs Dutch designers with manufacturers for potential collaborations. Founded by Stijn Roodnat and Toon Stilma, who both share a passion for the way things are made, products from their first collection will soon be going on sale for the first time. With a focus on materiality, they include the Cast Iron Lamp by DEMAKERSVAN, a cast iron design based on a spinning top, and a bench made of glazed bricks.
‘Both products are a great example of designers who have clearly been inspired by the possibilities, as well as the impossibilities, of the material, technology and manufacturing methods,’ explains Roodnat. ‘By collaborating with technological companies they are both inspired and limited by the possibilities of manufacturing techniques, and ultimately this generates the design.’
Norm architects Shaker trays
Danish architects Norm created a collection of trays for a Shaker-inspired showcase in New York City in May called Furnishing Utopia. Eleven international design studios from six different countries were tasked with reinterpreting the traditional designs of the Shakers into modern forms relevant for contemporary life. Inspired by handcrafted Shaker rails and boxes, Norm’s minimal black trays are designed to hang on a wall for display and are blackened with Japanese Sumi ink.
They say: ‘The thoughtfulness of the shaker’s approach to design is something we will bring even more into our practice in the future. As craftsmen and inventors we think the shakers were distilling design to its purist form as a quintessence of perfection.
‘In this process we tried to see if we could simplify the baskets and trays we were inspired by even more than the shakers had done, because in our work, we aim for geometrical purity. Something simple, natural and authentic which evokes a sense of serenity.’
La Gent x Pinch
Lastly, British furniture brand Pinch is collaborating with online platform La Gent to present a collection of home and lifestyle goods at The Koppel Project in London. As well as furniture designs from Pinch there will be a selection of brands from La Gent such as Ila Food, Apparatus Objects and Calico Wallpaper. The pop-up, on until 2nd July, will also be a chance to sample the newly opened Koppel Project, a creative hub in Baker Street that brings together a contemporary art gallery, workspace, cafe and Phaidon bookshop.
The Koppel Project, 93 Baker Street, W1U 6RL, 7th June to 2nd July 2016, Monday to Saturday 10am – 6pm.
Hope you liked these designs, I’ll try and keep this a regular feature so watch this space!
