Part of Eero Saarinen’s Pedestal Collection, the Tulip Table is one of the most recognisable furniture designs. Also known as the Saarinen Table as well as the Pedestal Table, this iconic design is beloved across the globe. Read on to find out everything what you need to know about the iconic Tulip Table and the brains behind it, Eero Saarinen.
Behind the design
It took Eero Saarinen five years to design a table that reached his meticulous standards of perfection. His self-imposed brief was to challenge the norm by creating tables and chairs with simple bases. In this way he hoped to eliminate what he saw as “the slum of legs” often found under tables.
The result was a gently sweeping central base that served as the table’s only leg. When paired with coordinating Tulip Chairs, the table provides the perfect antithesis to the typical clutter found under chairs and tables. It is this simple silhouette that makes it one of the most forward-thinking mid-century designs around.
Upon release the collection, including the table, was an instant success. Knoll has exclusively crafted the table since its unveiling in 1959. Whilst it has been subject to many fakes and copies, Knoll’s authentic edition remains the most well-crafted and coveted.
"The undercarriage of chairs and tables in a typical interior makes an ugly, confusing, unrestful world. I wanted to clear up the slum of legs."
How it's made
The 1950s was a time of great technical advancement and paved the way for designs like the Tulip Table. Its gently sweeping base is crafted using aluminium with a minimalist black or white finish. Knoll’s logo and Eero Saarinen's signature are the base’s only ornamentation as marks of authenticity and quality.
Throughout the years Saarinen’s Tulip Table has featured many exclusive finishes and limited-edition designs. The design most famously boasts a white marble table top with a bevelled edge. However, it is also often found in different marble, wood and laminate finishes.
About the designer
The son of esteemed Finnish architect, Eliel Saarinen, and Loja Saarinen, an accomplished artist, Eero Saarinen grew up exploring his creativity. He spent his youth at his father’s architecture studio in Finland until the family immigrated to the United States. His design career began studying at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, the school his father designed the campus for and would later become head of.
It was here that Saarinen became friends with future design icons Charles Eames, Ray Kaiser, and Florence Knoll (née Schust). "Our architecture is too humble. It should be proud, more aggressive, much richer and larger than we see today. I would like to do my part in expanding that richness."Eero Saarinen
Saarinen went on to study in Paris’ Académie de la Grande Chaumière and the Yale School of Architecture before returning to Cranbrook to teach. It was in 1940 that his furniture design career took off, when he and Charles Eames entered a MoMA competition. Together the duo designed the now-famous Organic Chair and skyrocketed Saarinen into the public eye.
Over the next 15 years Saarinen designed countless pieces of furniture, many of which are now considered design classics. He took a sculptural approach to design and was meticulous about finding the right curve and silhouette for each piece. His experiments in materials and discovery of new aesthetics helped to pave the way for many design greats.
Today his work is displayed with pride across the globe. His work is featured in collections at the MoMA in New York, Milwaukee Art Center and Design and London’s V&A Museum. Huge sums often await vintage Saarinen pieces that come up for sale as they are highly collectable.
[ INSPIRATION ]
Behind the design
Ever wondered what makes mid-century design so special? After reading this you’ll know your Jacobsens from your Saarinens and how to spot a design classic from miles off.
What is mid-century design?
Mid-century is an often-used term that quite simply means furniture or buildings designed during the 1940s, 50s and 60s, aka the middle of the century. Having become popularised after the end of WWII, mid-century design diffused across the globe where designers had varying approaches.
In the USA for example, the movement largely reflected the Bauhaus movement. In contrast, Scandinavian designers opted for clean-lined simplicity and created furniture designed to integrate with nature.
What are the characteristics of mid-century furniture?
Mid-century furniture can often be identified by its classic, understated look. Ornamentation and detailing were often abandoned in favour of uncluttered, sleek lines. Many popular styles of furniture from this period are crafted using solid woods such as teak, elm, beech and rosewood. Veneer was also used prominently and often lasts as long as solid wood furniture.
What materials were used?
The period between the 1940s and 60s was one of great innovation and technological advances. As such, many mid-century designers made use of materials such as plywood, wire, chrome and plastic. If you’re looking for furniture from this era, keep an eye out for these materials. Designers such as Charles and Ray Eames were instrumental in bringing plywood into our homes.
After meticulous experimentation they were able to warp it to create comfortable curved shells. Designers like Verner Panton were also in the midst of experimentation during this period, this time with plastic. Until now plastic had been used to mimic wood but Panton put it centre stage in designs like the Panton Chair.
Who are the most famous mid-century designers?
Some of the biggest names in furniture are mid-century designers and their work remains incredibly popular today. Danish designer Arne Jacobsen is renowned for the Egg and Series 7 Chairs, erring towards a Scandinavian approach to the movement. In contrast, furniture by the likes of Eero Saarinen experimented with new materials like plastic and wire.
There were also a large number of female designers who helped spearhead the mid-century design movement. Take Greta M. Grossman for example. Grossman was among the first designers to introduce the Scandinavian aesthetic to California's blossoming modernist scene.
LEARN HOW TO EMBRACE MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
The Panton Chair is a design iconic found in homes, museums and restaurants across the world. Also known as the S Chair thanks to its cantilevered silhouette, Verner Panton’s eponymously named chair revolutionised modern furniture production.
Read on to find out everything there is to know about this statement chair and the designer behind it.
Behind the design
Verner Panton first designed the Panton Chair in 1959 alongside renowned manufacturer Vitra. Above all, as one of the most forward-thinking mid-century designs, the plastic cantilevered chair was an industry first.
A neatly stacked pile of plastic buckets reportedly inspired Panton to design a stackable chair made using plastic. He began creating sketches during the 1950s and the design immediately stood out because it rejected wood.
At the time wood was one of the materials favoured by Panton’s contemporaries. The chair’s distinctive silhouette also sets it apart from some of the most popular designs of the era. Its 19767 unveiling in the Danish design journal Mobilia caused a sensation and the Panton Chair subsequently became a staple in Pop Art interiors.
In the following years the Panton Chair featured in photo shoots and editorial campaigns across the world. For example, it most famously featured in a 1995 British Vogue shoot where it was sat on by a nude Kate Moss.
Choosing colours should not be a gamble. It should be a conscious decision. Colours have a meaning and a function. Verner Panton
How it's made
Given that Verner Panton’s aim was to create a lightweight, comfortable chair made using a single piece of plastic, it’s no wonder it took him several years to find the right manufacturer.
Finally partnering with Vitra in 1963, Panton and the prestigious manufacturer developed the Panton Chair over the next four years. Whilst Vitra’s original design was made using fibreglass, today’s model is crafted from injection-moulded plastic.
State-of-the-art machines shape each chair using a ten-tonne mould and heated thermoplastic. Once cooled, specialists hand-finish the Panton Chair so each one boasts the most refined finish possible.
About the designer
One of the mid-century designers who embraced colour with open arms, Verner Panton remains a revered name today. His unique sense of colour, shape and light led him to create designs such as the Panton Chair, Panthella Table Lamp and the Heart Cone Chair.
Having studied architecture at Copenhagen’s Academy of Fine Arts, Verner Panton’s career began working at famed designer Arne Jacobsen’s firm. Having spent just two years working under the master, Panton founded his own studio. The main purpose of my work is to provoke people into using their imagination and make their surroundings more exciting.
His work differed largely from that of his Scandinavian contemporaries thanks to his fascination with cutting-edge technology. In fact, it is this curiosity that led to the Panton Chair – the world’s first single-form injection-moulded plastic chair.
Experimentation with state-of-the-art technologies, techniques and materials allowed Panton to step away from the norm and truly experiment with design. He was also similarly fascinated with colour. Many of his most-celebrated designs boast bright primary colours, like the Panton Chair.
Today countless museums across the globe display his work with pride. Some notable institutions include the MoMA in New York, Copenhagen's Danish Museum of Art and Design and London’s Design Museum. Vintage Panton pieces can garner huge sums when sold and are incredibly sought after.
Also known as the CH24 Chair, the Wishbone Chair is one of the world’s most instantly recognisable chairs. Created by Danish designer Hans J. Wegner, the versatile chair can be found in dining rooms, kitchens and living spaces across the globe. Read on to find out everything there is to know about this classic chair and the designer behind it.
Behind the design
Hans J. Wegner first designed the Wishbone Chair in 1949 for renowned manufacturer Carl Hansen & Søn. Part of a series of lightweight chairs that Wegner designed for the brand, the Wishbone Chair has been exclusively crafted at its Danish workshop ever since.
Whilst designing the chair’s distinctive silhouette, Wegner found inspiration in the curved wooden backs of traditional Ming chairs. Having spotted them in a portrait of Danish merchants, Wegner reimagined the design for a contemporary audience.
The final Wishbone Chair boasts a modern steam-bent back that offers a truly comfortable sit. This was one of Wegner’s overarching goals and to achieve it he combined the back and armrest into a single piece.
The chair’s most characterful feature is often considered the Y-shaped back that it takes its name from. But the addition isn’t just a design feature. The wishbone-shaped back provides additional support to the armrest, as well as the user.
“A chair is to have no backside. It should be beautiful from all sides and angles.” Hans J. Wegner
How it's made
Each Wishbone Chair that leaves Carl Hansen & Søn’s studio is meticulously produced by master craftspeople. Over 100 individual steps are involved in creating the chairs, the majority of which are carried out by hand.
One of the most impressive examples is the hand-woven seat that takes even the most skilled artisan over an hour to weave. This is because approximately 120 metres of paper cord are used to create the seat to ensure longevity and robustness.
About the designer
Hans J. Wegner is widely considered a driving force behind the Danish Modern design movement. His furniture embodies this golden age of design with clean lines, natural materials and pared-back silhouettes taking centre stage.
His career in design began at the age of 14 as an apprentice for Danish master cabinetmaker H. F. Stahlberg. Later studies at Copenhagen’s School of Arts and Crafts cemented his drive and Wegner soon set out as a furniture designer. Wegner went on to design over 500 chairs throughout his career, an impressive feat that earned him the moniker ‘Master of the Chair’.
“The chair does not exist. The good chair is a task one is never completely done with. ”Hans J. Wegner
Wegner possessed a deep understanding of wood and its characteristics thanks to his training as a cabinetmaker. This led to a respect for natural materials that helped shape his characteristic organic and minimalist aesthetic.
Throughout his life Wegner was celebrated with countless prestigious awards in recognition of his contribution to design. These include the 1951 Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale, the 8th International Design Award and Sweden’s Prince Eugen Medal in 1961. He even received an honorary Doctorate from the Royal College of Art in 1997.
Today his furniture designs can be found in some of the world’s most famous museums. These include New York’s MoMA, the Design museum Danmark in Copenhagen and Munich’s Die Neue Sammlung.
This November, journalists and members of the interiors community gathered in Soho for the unveiling of the Heal’s SS20 collection. We chose 15 Bateman Street as our location and transformed it into stunning sets using pieces from the new collection. Whilst the beauty of nature has always been at the heart of Heal’s, the Spring/Sumer 2020 collection is a true celebration of it.
Each design in the collection offers sense of springtime serenity, enhanced by organic forms and expert craftsmanship. By creating a stripped-back colour palette, SS20 welcomes the harmonious beauty of nature into the home. Take a look at the Press Day highlights below and see the pieces that will be heading to Heal’s soon.
Nature's true colours
A pared-back palette and natural hues are central to the SS20 collection. Warm neutral tones are complemented by cool lilacs, muted pinks and crisp greens. Furthermore, pale woods and organic fabrics create a cohesive collection that is perfect for the new season. However, stepping back into nature needn’t mean saying goodbye to bright colours.
By accessorising with primary colours, you can inject a sense of personality into your space. We’ve paired deep teals with bright rust shades to create a pop of colour against the nude backdrop. For the more adventurous, investing in a vibrant sofa will help bring your space to life.
The season of sustainability
SS20 means a focus on sustainable processes and materials, whilst celebrating both emerging and familiar design talent. Aside from the longevity that accompanies the purchase of quality design, many pieces in the new collection are actively sustainable.
A notable example is the Cliff Coffee Table, which is entirely crafted using recycled wood. Similarly, the best-selling Mistral Sofa has been updated for the new season with Designers Guild Tejo 100% recycled fabric.
The focus on sustainability also heads outdoors, with Nanna Ditzel’s 1955 Ocean Collection being reimagined using plastics salvaged from ocean waste. Furthermore, prestigious manufacturer Mater has crafted the design so it can be easily disassembled. This means each component can be recycled in its purest form into new production circles.
SS20 is giving back
Following on from the sustainability thread that has been sewn throughout the collection, Heal’s SS20 is also about giving back. A prime example of this is the limited-edition Woman range. This collection of fabrics was designed by One Nine Eight Four and showcases the beauty found in every woman. Each piece is crafted from recycled cotton and 10% of all profits will be donated to the UK eating disorder charity, Beat.
Keep an eye out, the Heal's SS20 collection will be in stock soon. In the meantime, why not sign up to our newsletter? Subscribers receive exclusive invitations, styling tips and are the first to know about the latest additions.
One of the most-celebrated pieces of 20th-century design, the Eames Lounge Chair was created by designers Charles and Ray Eames. This mid-century design classic has been a favourite of the design-savvy since it was originally released in 1956. We’ve dug deep to discover the history of this iconic chair and the designers behind it.
Behind the design
The old English club chair inspired husband-and-wife duo Charles and Ray Eames to create the now-iconic lounger. Aiming to make it lighter, more elegant and more modern than its inspiration, the Eames' took several years to complete the ambitious design.
The chair made its debut in 1956 with an unveiling on Arlene Francis’ television show Home. The public received the chair with widespread acclaim. A 1961 article even described it as placing “the sitter into a voluptuous luxury that few mortals since Nero have known”.
The Eames Lounge Chair has become so celebrated it is now featured in the permanent collection at New York’s MoMA. In recent years, Vitra has made a series of changes to update the chair for the modern day. For example, sustainable Palisander rosewood has replaced the original Brazilian rosewood.
As a heavily farmed wood, Brazilian rosewood is no longer considered an environmentally friendly material to create furniture with. Similarly, Vitra has increased the chair’s size to suit a taller population.
As the average human height has risen by 10cm over the last 60 years, this taller addition means everyone can experience the same comfort the Eames' originally intended. The classic edition of the Eames Lounge Chair is still widely available, including at Heal’s.
“What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts.” Ray Eames
How it's made
Vitra has faithfully crafted the Eames Lounge Chair for the last 60 years. Even today, it uses the same manufacturing methods that were used to create the original chair. You can see the process of creating the Eames Lounge Chair in more detail thanks to the video at the bottom of this page.
Since the design was first released, Vitra has introduced a plethora of new finishes. These additions include new combinations of leather upholstery, wood veneers and bases. Most importantly, each new finish is created in close collaboration with the Eames Office to ensure it meets the duo’s uncompromising standards.
The Eames Lounge Chair’s design calls for premium upholstery, quality materials and time-consuming craftsmanship. Subsequently, the luxurious chair marked a break with the Eames’ principle of making “the best for the most for the least”.
About the designers
Icons of the 20th Century, Charles and Ray Eames are most renowned for their transformation of modern furniture. Their influential designs remain as celebrated today as they were 50 years ago.
Having met at Michigan’s Cranbrook Academy of Art, Eero Saarinen encouraged the couple to pursue a career in design. Together, they began experimenting with and honing the use of moulded plywood. This proved particularly useful throughout WWII, when the technique was used to make emergency splints for injured soldiers.
“The role of the designer is that of a very good thoughtful host anticipating the needs of their guests.” Charles Eames Post-war furniture design called for a more functional approach and the Eames' were more than ready to answer the brief.
Over the next 50 years, the duo worked collaboratively to create furniture and accessories that still delight today. Together they became a formidable force of the design industry. Charles’ strikingly modernist designs popularised the Bauhaus’s emphasis on functionality.
Whilst Ray’s playful contribution enlivened designs that may have seemed somewhat austere otherwise. Ray Eames famously said that “what works good is better than what looks good because what works good lasts”. This is certainly the case for their designs, which have been handed down through generations and feature in homes across the globe.
Shop the Eames Lounge Chair.
HEAL'S DISCOVERS
HEAL'S DISCOVERS
Ed Heritage
As part of this season’s Heal’s Discovers initiative, we’re delighted to introduce Ed Heritage, an award-winning UK-based designer whose signature style of clean geometry and playful details is reflected in the beautiful lamp he created.
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