The designer Mies van der Rohe said that it was almost easier to build a skyscraper than a chair. He added that that was why Chippendale was famous. To which I would also add that that is why chairs are expensive. I am constantly astonished by the price of chairs. I have no idea why this should continue to be such a shock to me because when you think about it, it shouldn't be that surprising; it's a serious piece of engineering.
It has to be ergonomic – after all who wants to sit in something that looks good but hurts your back. It has to be the right height, it has to balance, it (usually) has to conform to the basic principle of four legs and a platform, which, when you think about it, doesn't leave much room for interpretation.
Then, and only then, can you start to think about the colours and the upholstery. In an interview in The Guardian, the designer Ora Ita said many designers are obsessed with chairs.
"It's often the first type of object a designer works on. I haven't done many because you need a really good reason and loads of motivation." This is because it can take up to six years to make a good chair "and at least three".
Exactly who knew? Now you begin the understand the price tag. Today's Object of Design doesn't pretend to the great heights of Classicism of Mies vad der Rohe's Barcelona chair or those classics by Jacobsen; The Egg and the Swan among them, but it has a Danish feel to it, with a mid-century leg. And if it were in my library, sitting under the light from yesterday's portable, rechargeable reading lamp, I would be happy.
It's from Anthropologie. It's called the Bangala and it costs £698. It's a lot of money. It's a great chair.
from Mad About The House http://ift.tt/1PT7cEi
No comments:
Post a Comment