Over the past few weeks I’ve been sharing some of the fantastic new-season homeware collections that have emerged from Scandinavia and elsewhere, but there are a few individual product launches which I feel deserve some attention, too. So, time for another round-up of the designs that have appeared on my radar recently…
The ‘Victoria Arms’ chair from Sitting Firm
First up is some news from a fellow Bristolian: up-and-coming designer Vicki Leach, who has created a new piece for chair maker Sitting Firm. Called the ‘Victoria Arms’ chair, it’s a contemporary update on the 19th-century ‘Smoker’s Bow’ armchair, often found in British pubs. It’s made from solid ash and blackened steel, and I love the way it combines echoes of the original design with clean lines and a simplified shape. It’s a beautiful fusion of past and present, and it would look wonderful in traditional and contemporary settings.
The relaunch of the CH23 dining chair
More chair news comes from Denmark, where Carl Hansen & Son has relaunched Hans J. Wegner’s CH23 dining chair. Originally developed in 1951 but discontinued in the 1960s, the CH23 formed part of Wegner’s first collection for Carl Hansen & Son, which also included the iconic CH24 ‘Wishbone’ chair and the CH25 woven chair. It’s the final piece of the collection to be put back into production, following hot on the heels of the relaunch of the CH22 lounge chair in 2016. The newly released version is manufactured to Wegner’s exact design but replaces the original teak with more sustainable oak and American walnut.
New designs from Northern Lighting
Also originating in Scandinavia are five new designs from Oslo-based Northern Lighting – all styled in a beautifully moody way for the company’s press shots. They include ‘Above’, a discreet light which can be mounted on walls and ceilings; ‘Circle’, a graphic take on traditional chandeliers created by Finnish design student Hannekaisa Pekkala; and ‘Balance’, an adjustable floor lamp in powder-coated steel from German design duo Yuue. There’s also a new smoked-grey option for the existing ‘Say My Name’ cloche lamp, with a choice between transparent and matte glass. My favourite, though, is ‘Meld’, a pendant light designed by Noidoi Design Studio. It’s made of two stoneware parts, which are fused together and glazed to form one harmonious shape.
Modular wall art from Lane
Building on its popular ‘Twin Tone’ lampshades and cushions, British homeware brand Lane has launched the ‘Twin Tone Play’ system – eight minimalist screen prints of two colour blocks, which can be hung in any combination. The prints were inspired by paint sample cards and provide a playful way to inject a splash of colour into a room. The options range from subtle pairings such as ‘Granite Pink’ and ‘Drift Blue’ through to bolder options like ‘Mariana Blue’ and ‘Yuzu Yellow’, and work brilliantly with both neutral and vibrant schemes.
Mid-century modern furniture from Rose & Grey
Last but not least, online retailer Rose & Grey has launched a collection of mid-century modern furniture by 366 Concept – a Polish company founded to revive the iconic 1960s designs of Józef Chierowski. Little-known outside Poland, Chierowski was a household name in his home country, and his creations were commonplace in Polish offices, homes and shops. The pieces available from Rose & Grey mix sleek ash frames with clean-lined upholstery in a range of fabrics and colours, and are handmade in Poland. They include a rocking chair, an easy chair, a two-seater chair, a footstool and a number of coffee and side tables.
All images via the respective brands named above
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