The modern movement has little to do with fashion. Last week, the Chicago chapter of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce (SACC-Chicago) gathered at HAUTE LIVING, a furniture showroom in downtown Chicago. Åke Jansson, president of Lammhults Möbel AB, Sweden and Jeffery Smith, founder and owner of HAUTE LIVING talked about modern furniture and Scandinavian design.
The spacious, contemporary showroom displayed carefully selected European classic pieces along with new design from both Europe and the US. The abundance of thoughtful design, solid wood and absence of ornamentation, made many of us native Swedes feel right at home.
Particularly striking were a series of delicate lamps in laminated birch slat by the Finnish architect Seppo Koho and an inviting dining table in steel and solid walnut by California based designer Reza Feiz. Imagine that table with a chrome base and natural oak top combined with Arne Jacobsen’s “Series 7” chair with turquoise, pumpkin orange or even hot pink lacquer!
Design Perfection
Åke Jansson visited Chicago for the NeoCon design exposition, North America’s largest for commercial interiors. We had the pleasure to talk with him about the modern movement and how it should not be confused with fashion. Lammhults has delivered its own lines of Scandinavian style furniture to public spaces, offices, and homes since the 1940’s. Products that they designed 20 to 30 years ago are still selling well due to their relevant and timeless design. To achieve that, it is necessary to look far beyond fashion trends and create your own way. While listening to Åke’s stories about their newest chair, Aeris, it became very clear how much work they put into their designs. Or, as he quoted Antoine de Saint Exupéry:
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing to add, but when there is nothing to take away.
European and American Attitudes
An interesting discussion followed on the differences between European and American attitudes towards modern design. It was pointed out that many Europeans grew up with modern design and have a relation to it. I remember a classmate’s parents having white Series 7 chairs around their dining table. Years later, I spent many dinner parties on the same model chair (though in blue) at a good friend’s house. It is also not uncommon for European college students to have a clear view of which of these design icons they would like to see in their own home someday. Another difference is that Americans move more often, on average every seven years. It is not uncommon to replace most pieces of furniture when moving into the next house. With that mindset, the incentive to buy quality furniture that will last for a generation or two is not very big.
It’s quite amazing, that if you didn’t already know, you could easily take designs from the 50’s and 60’s and think that they are newly created. I believe Jeff has a couple of recently designed pieces that will still be around when my kids retire. I just wonder which ones…
A big thank you to Jeff, Åke and SACC for an entertaining and interesting evening!
Elisabeth