Cool Hunting


Architect and designer Sergio Rodrigues is the latest gem owing thanks to the huge resurgence of interest in mid-20th century Brazilian furniture in recent years. Last month, ClassiCon, the German manufacturer of classic and contemporary design, launched a collection of nine pieces he designed. Under partnership with LinBrasil as the exclusive distributor for Europe, Asia and Oceania, ClassiCon's Rodrigues collection, which spans over five decades of design, is a true testament to the sculptural quality of the master's work.


While early pieces such as the sensually curvaceous Mocho stool, designed in 1954, and the nonchalant Mole easy chair, designed in 1961 (top images), are examples of the designer's playfulness, more recent creations like the Diz easy chair, designed in 2002 (above right), exhibit the dexterous control of line available only to a veteran. Unifying all of these designs, an organic sensibility marks a true reverence for nature. In Rodrigues' words, "To treat the wood with love is to perpetuate in the product the spirit of the forest."
|
previous entry Marla Rutherford Photography |
next entry Minibar |
Parkhaus, the Berlin-based producer of felt accessories, stumbled upon a winning concept with its Suit for 100 Classics, an expanding collection of custom felt seat pads for iconic chairs. Arguably, a well-thought design doesn't need any augmentations. However, it's a sad fact that some of the most iconic chairs from the past century can be uncomfortable. Take the designs pictured, pads for which are...
Estudio Manus' porcelain goods are hitting MoMA's Design: Brazil collection, but with keen foresight, the São Paulo duo is already making emphatic forays into other objects and furniture under the guise of its newest collection called "Peixe." With similar irreverence as their other pieces, like a porcelain cup with ears, this time they're proving they also work well building environments and in the architectural...
Although known best for his work for Herman Miller, industrial designer Gilbert Rohde's entire output of work is an extensive collection of furniture and interiors, which Phyllis Ross examines in full in her recent book for Yale University Press, entitled "Gilbert Rohde: Modern Design For Modern Living." Rohde broke ground with his ability to fuse innovation and tradition, laying the foundation for modernists after...
For those who've fantasized about a furniture-buying trip to Copenhagen, Deconet is an online modern furniture marketplace. Like 1stdibs with a more modern focus, the site connects buyers and sellers from all around the globe. From famous designers like Arne Jacobsen and Eames to lesser or even totally unknown, Deconet has it all. Besides tables and chairs, they offer lighting, carpet, storage and ceramics....
Feel like saddling up? Brazilian furniture designer Fernando Akasaka just dropped word about his new Cowboy Junkie concept stool, an unusual merging of two seating options. Anyone sitting on the stool will inevitably feel like they've just rode in by horse and are saddling up right up next to the kitchen bar. It's great for a thirst-quenching drink before riding off into the sunset,...
Shattering the divide between street and home, Brazilian creative agency Fogo Design playfully reinterprets household objects in forms that some would call trash. The company, made up of longtime friends Miguel Sanches and Ramses Marcal, promote good humor through each of their products, all of which ride the conceptual line. Their past work includes objects like a lamp that resembles a huge box of...
