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Designer furniture - Contemporary Designers
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A whirlwind tour of some of the great names in contemporary furniture design. Several architects and designers in the mid-twentieth century have made an indelible mark on designer furniture of that time. Their influence is seen even today. The lines of their designer furniture was, like many other changes of the era, quite removed from the art deco and art nouveau styles that preceded it. The look was minimalist and the designer furniture was aimed at a much wider market. The kinds of homes and offices being constructed were undergoing sweeping changes and with the revolution in architecture, interiors and designer furniture changed too. Higher structures and smaller interiors called for innovative design. The changes originated in western Europe where European designers like Jesus Gasca and Phillipe Starck, among others, introduced concepts that were hitherto unknown. Many leading European designers introduced styles and material that made them icons to US designers and the rest of the world. Several models of designer furniture from these leading European designers are sought after and copied even today, fifty years later. Some of the other leading contemporary furniture designers, many of them architects, who have left their mark with their iconic designer furniture are Italian designer Marco Zanuso Jr, Jeffrey Bernett, James Irvine, Richard Schultz, Girard, Noguchi, Le Corbusier and Eames. The work of award winning European designer Jesús Gasca is the rage in the US, perhaps because Stua, his contemporary furniture company located in San Sebastían, Spain produces only a limited range of furniture. Gasca is well known for his use of recyclable components and Stua’s environment friendly work ethics. His style leans towards Scandinavian but shows Mediterranean influences. His Sapporo shelving system, available with multiple shelves Deneb collection and Zero table display stark, elegant lines but his Globus Chair and Onda stools have a whimsical touch that give them their unique appeal. Gasca won the Innovate Design Melbourne prize in 1988 along with Josep Mora for their classic Egoa chair. Richard Schultz is one of the leading US designers of the mid-twentieth century. His elegant and extremely refined wire framed Leisure Collection furniture is still much sought after. His range of contemporary furniture includes outdoor and garden chairs which are displayed in their 250 year old Pennsylvania farmhouse. His style reflects his deep love and commitment to his training as a sculptor and adds uniqueness to his products. European designer Philippe Starck was a school drop out whose design work of the 1970s caught the eye of President Francois Mitterrand of France He commissioned to refurbish one of the private apartments in the Elysee Palace. The rest was history. He created elegant interiors for nightclubs in Paris and hotels in New York, Miami and Los Angeles. His creative range included chairs, lamps, motorbikes and boats. He is well known for his range of kitchen utensils, like Juicy Salif for Alessi and gave his creations quixotic names. Examples are Rosy Angelis lamp, La Marie chair and Prince Aha stool. One of the most attractive features of the Studio Eoos Collection is the convertibility of their designs. The dining tables are expandable, their well known siesta armchairs have detachable foot stools and console tables are convertible. This Austrian contemporary furniture design company is patronized by Armani and Adidas among others. The Studio believes in poetic analysis of their design process and are convinced that even everyday articles need not be banal in style or design. Charles Eames is one of the most important designers of the 20th century who with his wife Ray Kaiser experimented with fiberglass reinforced plastic. They worked closely with the manufacturer Herman Miller throughout the 1950s and 1960s and produced many iconic pieces. Their work in molded plywood and wire mesh was pioneering and innovative. Patricia Urquiola is one of the latest stars in the design firmament and one of the few women to have stormed the hitherto male bastion of furniture design. Her striking designs create a deep impression and her work is visible in all leading stores. Her furniture does not conform to any particular style but her mix and match pieces combine snug comfort with a hint of formality and ceremony. Le Corbusier is better known as one of the most talented architects of the twentieth century. His work spanned five decades and three continents and his focus was on providing better housing in crowded urban settings. His furniture of chrome plated tubular design is marketed worldwide by the Italian company Cassina. Furniture designers, both European and American, have blazed new trails in the post war years. Many of their high designs had high utility and universal appeal and went into mass production. Furniture of the twentieth century has made a sweeping comeback over the past few years. The iconic styles of certain well known designers are certainly here to stay. |
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