Design items to watch, curated by Matisse’s Jeanne Bertenshaw

Co-founder of Matisse Jeanne Bertenshaw chooses her favourite new design items

Jeanne Bertenshaw

01. 

‘Volare’ bed by Roberto Lazzeroni for Poltrona Frau
What could be more romantic than a four-poster bed? This pared-down, light and airy version can be dressed up or down to be minimal or sumptuous. Ash and tulip wood are beautifully combined with Poltrona Frau’s famed handcrafted leather to create the perfect bed for your palazzo or loft-style home.

02. 

‘Moulds’ lights by Jan Plechác & Henry Wielgus for Lasvit
Following the long tradition of hand-blown glass and crystal in the Czech Republic, the ‘Moulds’ series captures a specific moment when molten glass resists the shape expected of it and becomes a random, indeterminate bubble. Various materials are combined using the technique of blowing glass into a beech form, which is retained with the LED set directly into the charred wooden mould.

03. 

‘Fractal’ pendant by Brand van Egmond
Dutch lighting sculptors Brand van Egmond have produced ‘Fractal’ which is, in effect, a mathematical set that uses a repeating pattern played out in several different scales. The reflecting elements offset this with the ‘chaos’ of dispersing light. We perceive the orderly patterns at the same time as the random light, making it a beautiful brain-teasing chandelier.

04. 

‘Munich’ chair by Sauerbruch Hutton for ClassiCon
Three versions of the ‘Munich’ chair were designed  by Sauerbruch Hutton for the Brandhorst Museum, which opened in Munich in 2009. Each version was designed to suit specific needs within the building. The ‘Munich’ range offers durability and ease of use that are suited to homes and offices as well as museums, which is why it has been integrated into ClassiCon’s permanent collection.

05. 

‘Hide 1085’ chair by Bartoli Design for Kristalia
The ‘Hide 1085’ is remarkable on several fronts; the hide itself is an extra-thick, malleable material from workrooms that produce luxury handbags and shoes not usually used in furniture making. The chair’s curved, folded design reflects the superior qualities of the materials, while a decorative rod from boating technology can adjust tension to smooth out any wrinkles that develop over time.

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