Legendary furniture designer Hans. J. Wegner (1914—2007) designed upwards of 500 chairs in his lifetime, more than 100 of which were mass produced. Suffice it to say, the Danish midcentury modern master didn’t waste time sitting around. A pioneer of “organic functionality,” he thoughtfully combined beautiful, sculptural elements, high-quality materials and utilitarian qualities.
Because 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of Wegner’s birth, Danish furniture company Carl Hansen & Son, the largest manufacturer of Wegner’s pieces in the world, collaborated with British fashion designer Paul Smith and textile-maker Maharam to re-imagine some of his most iconic works.
The limited-edition collection features vibrant riffs on the shell chair, lounge chair, wing chair, wishbone chair and sofas, upholstered in bright, striped worsted wool textiles by Smith and Maharam. The result? Classic midcentury design meets a playful, 21st-century use of color; Danish modern abode meets Venice Beach bungalow. We’re particularly fond of the wishbone, with its iconic Y-shaped back (the first Wegner piece Carl Hansen carried), and the three-legged shell chair with its appealingly scooped seat.
More information is available at paulsmithcelebrateswegner.com.