Recently I was at a house party in a loft owned by a young urbanite. He had spent his hard earned money filling it with the must-haves of design (or rather, what he had been told were the must haves of design). The IKEA-filled apartments of our youths have sadly been replaced with much the same aesthetic just at a much higher price (and still devoid of actually personality). So while you look back and chuckle at how you used to live in a land created by IKEA, perhaps stop and take a look around your current space. Hmmm. It seems there is now a checklist of how to have a cool loft:
Eames Lounger (+1) Two Eames Loungers + Ottomans (+10) yes I have seen this, sadly.
Eames shell chairs (+1) in assorted colours mismatched (+2)
Noguchi Coffee Table (+2)
Vintage teak office armchair (+3 because it looks like you hunted for it)
The list goes on and I am sure you are all chiming in with your additions, but it made me wonder: what would Tyler Durden do? Probably burn the whole thing down. Tempting, I must admit but not my style. Instead, I will let you all in on a little know secret – learn. If you love modern design – learn about it. And then buy what you love. Not what you are told to love. Yes, think for yourself.
Standard Chair (best colour combination, British racing Green/Black)
I love Jean Prouvé. I have always had a fondness for his subtle style ever since I first encountered his standard chair during my childhood. Yes, I loved designer chairs when I was a child – I am that type of guy ( sic gay). I am not going to give you a history of Prouvé and his work – go to his website instead. And read. I won’t give you the abridged version. That wouldn’t be right. But I will tell you what he does best – the standard chair. Buy his other ‘stuff’ if you must but his standard chair is sublime. It is understated elegance. The lines of the back of the legs are pure beauty. And I can wax eloquently on how the British racing green and black combination highlights and hides the beauty all at once, only revealing the lines and contrast when light hits the chair. But you will see none of this far from afar. In fact, many of my friends ask me about the two random school chairs I own by my desk. This usually brings a smirk to my face. They do not know Jean Prouvé but you should. Available through Vitra.