Following the mantra that good design is timeless design, Stellar Works has re-issued a selection of classic furniture designs to sit alongside its more contemporary collections. I take a closer look at the pieces from Vilhelm Wohlert, Jens Risom and Carlo Francolini.
Since its inception in 2012, Shanghai-based Stellar Works has endeavoured to fill the gap between Eastern and Western design, as well as heritage and modernity. Founded by CEO Yuichiro Hori, Stellar Works was established as a partnership between Hori and French manufacturers Laval.
The company has long collaborated with respected international designers, and is now re-issuing a carefully curated selection of furniture design classics.
First up is Vilhelm Wohlert’s pared-down mid-century pieces. Stellar Works’ Wohlert collection comprises some of his most celebrated designs from the 1950s, revitalised for the modern day. Each piece showcases the Danish designer’s less-is-more ethos and talent for turning the structural into the sculptural.
The collection includes the timeless Piano and Louisiana Chairs – designed to complement Wohlert’s architectural work on the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark. His Triangle Chair, also found in the museum, was specifically created to provide visitors with a comfortable place to pause, sit back and soak up the scenery – just as it does today.
The Carlo collection showcases the influential 20th century designer Carlo Forcolini. His bold, imaginative approach resulted in a succession of attention-grabbing chairs and stools that make use of strong geometric shapes and colours.
Alongside 1980s seating, such as the Cotton Club and ‘smiling’ Alien chairs, the Carlo collection from Stellar Works includes Forcolini’s self-supporting bookcase Ran Library, inspired by temple doors in China and Japan.
The third designer is Denmark’s Jens Risom. Stellar Works has re-issued Risom’s celebrated C140 chair in its original caned back version as well the upholstered C142, which comes in a colourful array of Kvadrat Hallingdal 65 upholstery.
In 2019 the brand launched the latest additions to the Risom Collection; the Risom desk, coffee table, shelves and lounge chair, all in the mid-Century modern style.
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