DELVE INTO DESIGN CLASSICS
Look beyond mid-century modern for cult buys, says Laura Antonia Jordan…
THE LIGNE ROSET Togo sofa (1973). The Verner Panton ‘S’ chair (1960). The Pierre Jeanneret Office chair (1955). The Carl Hansen Wishbone chair (1949). The Charlotte Perriand Boomerang Bureau desk (1938). Mid-century modern furniture has become the interiors equivalent of seeking out old Céline clothes, which is to say, obviously very chic, possibly prohibitively expensive, and ripped off everywhere. And while, say, the allure of 1950s Danish seating isn’t going to diminish any time soon, good design didn’t stop in 1979. In fact, there are plenty of homeware treasures to be found in the 1980s and beyond. Here’s what to look out for – and where to find them…
1980s
Terje Ekstrøm for Varier Stokke, Ekstrem chair, 1980
The Danes aren’t the only ones skilled at producing something stylish to sit on. Find the Ekstrem chair,
a Norwegian classic of post-modern design, on Pamono now. Varier re-released it last year in upholstered Kvadrat fabrics.
Ply-Chair, Jasper Morrison, 1988
Proof that ‘1980s + plywood’ is a much sexier search term than you might initially think. Radically simple, British designer Jasper Morrison’s installation Some New Items for the Home Part I at the DAAD Gallery in Berlin in 1988 included this open-backed design. A rejection of the colourful chaos of postmodernism, the original design is part of the V&A collection.
1990s
Ettore Sottsass, Carlton, 1981
You can’t talk about the ’80s without mentioning the Memphis Group, the design movement known for its geometric, graphic (some would say garish) aesthetic. Founded by Italian designer Ettore Sottsass (he of the Ultrafragola wavy mirror, 1970), his Carlton bookcase/room divider is a classic of the group. Originals run into five figures, but try entering ‘squiggles’ or ‘colour block’ into eBay. Jermaine Gallacher’s zigzag candlesticks are your gateway piece into modern Memphism.
Ikea, Vilbert chair, 1993
Yes, (some!) vintage Ikea is seriously collectable (a 1958 ‘Cavelli’ armchair sold for the equivalent of almost £14,000 at auction last year). See also the very rare Vilbert from 1993. Created by the acclaimed Danish designer Verner Panton, only 3,000 were ever made. Today? Find them on Vinterior for around £2,000 for a set. And sorry to say, they are flatpack.
Alessi, Anna G corkscrew, 1994
Designed by Alessandro Mendini, the playful corkscrewis a cult classic and dangerously tempting impetus to oapen another bottle. Still going strong, selling now for £80.
Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design, placemat, 1995
The Come Stai? chairs Pesce made with Bottega Veneta last year are ultra-desirable but very expensive. For more affordable options, see the resin placemats, trays and vases created for Fish Design in 1995. You’ll find an impressive selection of OG Pesce at Pamono, as well as the new editions at London boutique Koibird.
Karim Rashid for Umbra, Garbo waste can, 1996
One person’s trash is another’s contribution to the Museum of Modern Art permanent collection. The savvy can track them down for shy of a tenner.
David Mellor, City cutlery, 1998
A pleasure to use, the British-made, curvaceous cutlery is still a staple 25 years after its introduction. £135 for a six-piece set at davidmellordesign.com.
Robin Day for Habitat, sofa, 1999
Like Ikea and Heal’s, vintage Habitat items can also fetch a song at auction. And if you really, really cannot be parted from the mid-century look and feel, then a little bit of a cheat: the turn-of-the-millennium reissues of Robin Day’s 1964 designed sofa.
2000s
David Shrigley, Heroin & Cocaine salt and pepper shakers, 2000
The artist initially designed the cult vessels for Collection Lambert, and they were recommissioned in 2012. Today you can scoop up the pair for £60 from Third Drawer Down.
Marc Newson, Nimrod chair, 2002
Hugely influential, the Australian designer’s clients span mega names from Apple to Nike. His furniture blurs the line between interiors and art: see the Nimrod chair (although, honestly, see any of his work). Produced by Magis in Italy using the process of blow-moulding, a mass-production technology traditionally used for products like plastic water bottles.
Philippe Starck, Kartell Louis Ghost Armchair, 2002
Baroque meets pop, this ironic design is just one of many icons from the legendary French designer. Life in plastique, c’est fantastique!
Manolo Blahnik for Habitat, shoehorn, 2004
A limited-edition for Habitat’s 40th anniversary, find the footwear maestro’s aluminium shoehorn on eBay and
Etsy now.
2010s
Tom Dixon, Melt lamp, 2015
A technical triumph, Tom Dixon’s molten design was created in collaboration with Swedish design collective Front. Prices start at £230 for a portable LED version.
Faye Toogood, Roly Poly Chair, 2014
The chunky chair isn’t a future classic – it’s one already. Acquired for several museum permanent collections, Toogood’s collaboration with Driade opened up the Roly Poly to a wider audience at a more accessible price point.
Heal’s, Wallis Sofa, 2017
In the 2010s, if you didn’t have a velvet sofa, were you even really there? Heal’s is still producing this neat take by Russell Pinch today.
Céline, menu blanket, 2017
Yay! Phoebe’s back! What the dedicated Philophile will tell you is A) she never went away and B) her influence on interiors was up there with her sartorial sway. When the old Céline store on London’s Mount Street closed, there were reports of hungry fans begging to take home the FOS lamps and glass vitrines, as well as the patchwork marble flooring. Philo’s own menu blanket, from the A/W ’18 collection and created in partnership with graphic designer Peter Miles, is now found slung across many a tastemaker’s bed and sofa. Set your Vestiaire alerts pronto or follow @thearchivedotcom on IG. Want more? Philo’s mother and sister, Celia and Frankie, own a very stylish interiors emporium, Philo & Philo, in Bruton, Somerset.
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