The power of textural contrasts with Carl Hansen & Søn’s ‘PK1’ chair in paper cord

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For me, the way a space feels is just as important as the way it looks. And one of the key factors in creating a cosy, welcoming and beautiful home is texture – specifically, elements of textural contrast. Mixing soft materials with hard, matte surfaces with glossy or rough textures with smooth gives any interior an instant lift, adding interest in a way that appeals to multiple senses. It’s particularly important with minimalist decor, which if not done carefully can end up appearing flat and lifeless rather than calm and uncluttered.

It really doesn’t take much to add a touch of textural contrast to a room, and often a single well-chosen piece is all you need. Step forward the gorgeous ‘PK1’ chair by Danish Modernist architect and designer Poul Kjærholm (1929-1980), which pairs a sleek stainless-steel frame with a woven seat and backrest.

Kjærholm created the ‘PK1’ in 1955 and it marked his first ever chair design. He had a penchant for steel and used it in much of his work, often combining it with organic materials to add softness and tactility to his pared-back pieces. His original version of the ‘PK1’ had a seat and backrest made from wicker, but Carl Hansen & Søn has now reimagined and relaunched it using FSC-certified paper cord – a durable and sustainable alternative which patinates beautifully over time.

Paper cord is something of a signature element for Carl Hansen & Søn and takes a starring role in some of its most iconic pieces, including the likes of Hans J. Wegner’s ‘Wishbone’ chair and ‘CH25’ lounge chair. The all-in-one seat and backrest of the ‘PK1’ presented a challenge, however, and so the company worked closely with the Kjærholm family to develop a new and very intricate technique. It takes a skilled craftsperson 15 hours and 180m of cord to hand-weave a single ‘PK1’ chair, but the result is worth it – strong, flexible, and just as attractive from the back as it is from the front.

The dimensions of the chair have also been scaled up slightly to suit today’s bodies, but in all other respects the new version of the ‘PK1’ stays true to Kjærholm’s design. The elegant curves give it a flowing, sculptural expression, and the backrest follows the natural shape of the spine for enhanced comfort. It’s also incredibly practical: stackable, lightweight, and with a handle-like top that makes it easy to pick up and move around.

But what appeals to me most about the ‘PK1’ is the striking juxtaposition of brushed stainless steel and tactile paper cord – a testament to Kjærholm’s ability to develop unexpected yet beautiful material combinations. The overall expression of the chair is minimalist, but there are gorgeous details that reveal themselves as you look more closely. I particularly like the basket-like pattern of the weaving, the glimpses of steel where it breaks for the legs, and the discs that keep the paper cord in place at the front of the seat and the top of the backrest.

I was lucky enough to borrow a set of ‘PK1’ chairs to try out in my own home, and they slotted in perfectly amid the simple decor of the dining room. I already have a few textural contrasts in this space, with chrome and stainless-steel accessories alongside rough stoneware vases, an oak table and a flat-weave woollen rug, and the chairs neatly reflected the wider combination of materials. I also loved the way their curved forms broke up the straight lines of my house’s Victorian architecture and, having tested them throughly over the course of several meals, I can confirm that they’re very supportive – the kind of chair you can happily linger in for hours, relaxing over food, wine or coffee.

The ‘PK1’ chair is a wonderful balance of form, function and materiality, and it’s a great addition to Carl Hansen & Søn’s range of timeless and versatile Danish design classics. With its mix of matte and shiny, smooth and woven, industrial and organic, I can see it adding something special to all manner of spaces and settings.

The ‘PK1’ chair in paper cord is available to buy now, with a choice between the brushed stainless-steel frame shown here or black powder-coated steel. Prices start at €634 / £551, and you can find details of Carl Hansen & Søn flagship stores and stockists worldwide here.