Chairs: Manchester School of Art

MMU Degree Show 2011

Busy times at the opening night of MMU's student show last week, traditionally mobbed, however this year the numbers appeared even greater than usual - and the amassed family, friends, industry professionals and interested observers weren't to be disappointed, with the Three Dimensional Design Show providing the high spot, attracting significant interest throughout the evening.

A pair of designers in particular stood out for me due to two pieces of beautiful furniture. Li-En Yeung and Tom Vousden.

Li-En Yeung

Li-En Yeung's ash framed Occasional chair with walnut veneered seat portrayed a beautifully considered attention to form and function. With a slight nod towards an Eames aesthetic the piece, below, displays some lovely curves with a definite deftness of touch in it's crafting - in particular the slender tapering legs.

For more images together with Li-En Yeung's details can be found at the link below.


Li-En Yeung
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Tom Vousden

From the minute you entered the packed 3D design exhibition space it was readily apparent that there was something special on show to the immediate left. The reason for the commotion; a stunning retro inspired desk by designer Tom Vousden. Created using laminating and veneering techniques the design which offers a nod towards Herman Miller, is constructed in plywood and MDF with a walnut veneer. The sensual curved sides are created using laminated flexiply, and finished off linoleum for the desk top work surface. Overall the contrast between the two woods is no less striking than the sensitivity of the designs flowing lines.

Herman Miller - Airia Desk

Fine things: Tenbosch House

1960s Scandinavian Style in Brussels

Just discovered this newly opened B&B in Brussels' posh Ixelles district, Tenbosch House offers lots of inspiration for lovers of Scandinavian design. Owners Cedric Meuris and Bernard Devaux hired architect Patrice Lemeret to transform two nineteenth-century houses into one open, airy hotel, while designers Michel Penneman and Catharina Eklof chose 1960s Scandinavian furniture to maintain a super stylish look throughout. Among the classic 60s furniture, are Hans Wegner chairs, Nisse Strinning shelves, and Poul Henningsen lighting.


Brussels, now on my list of cities to visit...


Tenbosch House

Fine things: Great Illustration

http://www.plan59.com/images/JPGs/stow57exec.jpg

Fine things: Filson 'Black Label'

 

Filson 891SS Italia Historic Shirt 

The latest purchase from Oi Polloi, and by far the best shirt I've seen currently available. Ok, it's yet another Chambray, however I think you can still get away with 'double denim' if you can look a bit messy with it. Filson's hunting shirt is based on the original design submitted by CC Filson March 3, 1914. The detail is nice, with four functional pockets closed by flaps and beautifully signed buttons, a curved hem with frayed side seam insert and a three button throat tab. Made in Italy and as homage to this carries their black label - a real wardrobe staple.

Furniture: Robert Heritage Sideboard

'Hamilton' Sideboard supplied by Heal's c.1960

When it comes to furniture this is my prize possession, not only is it by an English designer in Robert Heritage and manufactured by Archie Shine Ltd. UK, it is also supplied by Heal's. This is not all, it is documented in the 2000 TASCHEN GmbH book, Decorative Art 60's, pp 208 which gives the piece a certain significance.

The sideboard itself is recognisable as Heritage due to his signature 'reeding' on the drawer fronts, it is formed in three separate sections, that I can testify to being thankful for, having moved this piece around various residences. The three sections sit on top of a very long 274cm wide base with lovely tapering legs. The sideboard was part of a dining suite, designed in 1956 that also consisted of eight chairs and a draw leaf dining table.

Robert Heritage was born in Birmingham and studied at the RCA from 1948 to 1952. In 1953 he immediately set up his own studio designing furniture and lighting winning numerous awards, including a Design Centre Award in 1958 for this 'Hamilton' sideboard. Possibly his most prestigous commission was to carry out the furniture design project for the Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner in 1968 together with Ernest Race. Robert Heritage is the most awarded designer by the Design Council.

Harry Bertoia's 'Diamond chair'

Another gem from Manchester's Art Gallery design collection

I've always admired Harry Bertoia's, Diamond chair due to the complexity of the lattice work construction, yet the chair retains a beautifully fluidity and lightness in its aesthetic. As Bertoia put it, "If you look at these chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculpture. Space passes right through them."

They were produced with varying degrees of upholstery over their light grid-work, and they were handmade because a suitable mass production process could not be found. Unfortunately, the chair edge utilized two thin wires welded on either side of the mesh seat. This design had been granted a patent to the Eames for the wire chair produced by Herman Miller.

Herman Miller eventually won and Bertoia & Knoll redesigned the seat edge, using a thicker, single wire, and grinding down the edge of the seat wires at a smooth angle - the same way the chairs are produced today. Nonetheless, the commercial success enjoyed by Bertoia's diamond chair was immediate.

Chairs: Oi Polloi, Manchester

Chairs you wish you owned

I've been spending a considerable amount of time and money in Oi Polloi since moving to Manchester around three years ago. The shop which is an institution for the 'Man about Town' is situated in the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter and offers a wealth of casual clothing to its dedicated patrons who are still obsessed with clothing 'one-upmanship'.

I first visited the shop when it was situated on Tib Street and much smaller than it is now in its new location on Thomas Street. There was a basement in the shops early days which provided haircuts, however this had made way for more rail space and changing rooms. It wasn't just a nice pair of Clarks Desert Boots that caught my eye back then it was also a great pair of retro chairs that were used when trying on the shoes.

Every time I subsequently descended the tricky stairs into the shops basement I would admire the two chairs that look 1970's in style, with their bent chromed tubular steel frame, teak armrests, with one piece leather-upholstered cushion. Now, only one made the move to Thomas Street last year, its mate didn't! What a shame, not just that they are no longer a pair but that a chair that I'd love to own and maybe could have has disappeared, probably into a skip...

Midcentury Magazine Issue 1

The Guide to Modern Retro

Finally a magazine dedicated to modern design and decorative arts, and not before time. It's really well produced as you would hope considering the subject matter. B5 in size with 68 pages, the first issue covers; articles, buying tips - in this instance the Eames Rocker and a wealth of home decor inspiration. I look forward to the magazine going from strength to strength in line with the interest in mid-century design.

Further information and subscription details can be found on the Midcentury magazine website - see links.

Manchester Art Gallery

Armchair
Designed by Serge Chermayeff
Made for Plan Ltd 1933

Oak frame, with woven cotton upholstery

This stunning chair on display in Manchester City Art Gallery was designed by modernist architect Serge Ivan Chermayeff, forming part of his 'Plan' range of furnishings, intended to provide a complete living environment.

Design Classic Spotted by Canal

Castlefield, Manchester.

Robin Day's Polyside, polypropylene chair.

One of the best known, mass-produced chairs of all time and seen everywhere from school classrooms to design museums, and due to its indestructibility anywhere else it was chosen to be discarded. Developed in 1962 by designer Robin Day the chair went on to be a design classic selling over 14 million world wide, indeed it is still made at a rate of 500,00 a year by Hille.