John Green's 'Simple' Chair

Hardwood Chair

As the name of this beautiful, minimally designed chair, 'Simple' would suggest, it is simple in every aspect - even the complex joints are literally made simple. This comes courtesy of being cut purely on a digitally automated milling machine via computer numerical control (CNC).

I love it and would like to own one in the European Oak of the two woods available, however as John Green's website states he is currently seeking manufacture and distribution for this product.

Visit John's excellent site for more information and further examples of his award winning designs.

http://www.johngreendesigns.co.uk

Also, find a great 'Show and Tell' feature with John Green on The Aesthetic Trust's website.

http://theaesthetictrust.co.uk/show-and-tell/embrace-john-green/

My Reading Chair

1960's teak framed arm chair

This is one of my own pieces of furniture that I picked up in the North East about four years ago. While it's unsigned, it has a strong Danish influence in its design, I particularly love the dramatic sweeping arms rising to a point from a wide bed.

The arm chair is produced in teak and upholstered in its original orange/brown woollen weave.

Ebay

A footnote to this post is that a lounge set matching my chair was sold on ebay this weekend (06/06/11). All three pieces, a sofa and two chairs had been re-upholstered and received an encouraging amount of interest and ended up selling for a decent amount.

The three seater sofa ended up with 26 bids and sold for £720.00 with the chairs making £290 and £270 respectfully.

Low Fell, Gateshead

Tessellated tiled entrance vestibule

I came across this nice example of a tessellated encaustic tiled floor in a stunning Victorian house in Gateshead a few years ago. The Minton type geometric pattern incorporates a star and block design consistent with the period of the property. It was also common for this flooring to continue into the hallway which no doubt provided a striking first impression for visitors.

Belsay Hall, Northumberland

Fashion at Belsay 2004

I love the architectural details in this image that I shot in 2004 at the exhibition, Fashion at Belsay, Belsay Hall, Northumberland. The cornice and frieze are stunning, featuring as the do the classic ancient Greek and Roman inspired amthemion frieze surmounting a further intricate fret work frieze in a Greek key style. The Greek influence is prevalent as Belsay Hall is an austerely Classical Greek Revival villa. Begun in 1807, it was built for Sir Charles Monck (formerly Middleton), a man inspired by Ancient Greece and the buildings he had seen on his honeymoon in Athens, to a design by architect John Dobson. The plaster work is then complemented by the window paneling and shutters complete with their fielded panels and bolection mouldings.

Mies van der Rohe

National Glass Centre, Sunderland.

Facade: Through a Glass Darkly
Friday 18 March - Sunday 10 July 2011

I visited this exhibition which explores the origins of glass architecture in radical writings and architecture from the 1910's onwards it was therefore appropriate that I would find an iconic chair from the early 20th century, nicely positioned, facing a powerful and large scale photographic work by Finnish born artist, Ola Kolehmainen.

A nice piece of curating maybe from Rob Wilson, this particular space which is open on two sides presented the photographic work to great effect, and while the chair was not part of the exhibition it complimented the space by it's very presence.

Now, books have been written about Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's, Barcelona Chair, No. MR90 from 1929 onwards, however this is one of my favorite chairs and it was an unexpected highlight of the visit to the exhibition.

www.nationalglasscentre.com 

Bent chromed flat steel frame with leather straps and buttoned leather-upholstered cushions.

Thonet Books in Aero

I picked up these two great free books while in Helsinki's Aero store on Yrjonkatu 8. Produced by German furniture manufacturer and global distribution network - Thonet.

Each 12 p/p A6 book provides the stories of Thonet's two major trademark designers, Michael Thonet who founded the company in 1819 and Marcel Breuer, designer of tubular steel furniture from the 1930's.

These books make nice, quick reference guides and they're free too.

http://www.aerodesignfurniture.fi/

Helsinki City Hall

Arm Chair

Tucked away in the corner of Helsinki's city hall was this stylish chromed steel framed arm chair with black leather-upholstered seat, back and armrests. Simply stunning.

Helsinki Public Library

Library Arm Chair

It should have come as no surprise on a recent visit to Helsinki's Public Library that the chairs throughout the space were of classic 50's Finnish design. Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and named the Dormus 'stacking chair' they all carried a beautiful patina consistent with heavy use. The chairs overriding feature were their 'stubby' arm, it has to be said these were perfect for reading - just enough to rest your elbows on.

A short while later during a visit to Artek's shop around the corner on Eteläesplanadi 18, I found the very same model of chair stand in test of time as a design classic and still on sale today, albeit in clear birch and molded plywood, finished with wood seat and back.

http://www.artek.fi/company/designers/40

The library's stunning floating central staircase