Industrial Furniture – High End Weekly™

Conceptual Designs by Joe Cesare Colombo

“I don’t think of myself as an artist nor as a technician, but as an epistemologiest… A designer is the creator of the environment of the future” – Joe Colombo

The Milanese organic designer Joe Colombo who passed away the same year I was born, firmly believed in creating an integral habitat where the aesthetics of a home developed out of the way it was meant to be used as environment for living.

Thoroughly Modern: Multi chair by Joe Colombo

He originally started his career as a painter and sculptor, and you can see evidence of this on the lurid colors, as well as the technological and functional innovation he used in his furniture design.

The famous KD27, circa 1970, in my favorite color, Orange!

These designs are in great demand at auctions houses throughout the world. In the 1960s Joe Colombo created the 4801 chair – an authentic symbol of the design world at that time. That famous chair, which has since been licensed to Kartell was produced entirely of wood. Nowadays, technology enables the manufacture to produce them in PMMA, a process which emphasises their rounded, smooth shapes.

From Left: Continental, 1965, and Combi Center, 1963, by Joe Colombo

The 4801 Chair

The 4801 chairs by Joe Colombo now produced by Kartell

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Pavilion of Art & Design at The Park Avenue Armory

November 11 – 14, 2011

Since its grand opening in Paris 15 years ago, the Pavilion of Art & Design fairs, better known as PAD, have been closely associated with presenting works of art of the highest quality which have been vetted by distinctive panels of experts. This year, PAD brought their “oeuvre d’art” to the prestigious Park Avenue Armory.

Galerie Downtown

This inaugural fair brought together 49 international galleries who are exhibiting works of Modern Art, Design, Decorative Arts, Photography, Jewelery and Tribal Art. The exhibit is inviting and full of design inspirations. Many of the dealers are carrying some of the most exquisite pieces that I’ve ever laid eyes on.

One such dealer is Galerie Downtown. Its owner, François Laffanour created the gallery with a thoroughly avant-garde brief: the rehabilitation of 20th century architects’ furniture which had sunk into oblivion. He is championing the works of two pioneers of 20th century Decorative Arts: Jean Prouvé and Charlotte Perriand (joint founder of the Union des Artists Modernes with Le Corbusier in 1929), as well as that of Serge Mouille and Isamu Noguchi. I like the fact that these blue-chip artists were passionate about freedom, they were able to re-invent far more than a way of life or a way of dwelling, rather a life project, no less, a manifesto of the period’s technical and scientific modernity. Charlotte Perriand once said “What interests me is people. Spare lines whose functional quality goes hand-in-hand with everyday gestures, and simple materials (wood, metal, bamboo) combined with a keen sense of detail contributed to the refinement of their works”. This in fact is a huge interest of mine as well.

For this first Pavilion of Art and Design, the French architect Jean de Piépape exclusively designed Galerie Downtown’s stand with all the geometry and subtlety that are the hallmarks of his reputation. His deft selection of furniture and objects include a seating and a staircase by Jean Prouvé, a bench, seats and shelves by Charlotte Perriand.

Park Avenue Armory
643 Park Avenue
(67th Street)
New York, New York 10065
212-744-8180
Hours: 11 AM – 8 PM

Jean Prouvé

Circa 1942, Dining table

Charlotte Perriand

1955, “Shadow” chair

Pierre Jeanneret

Ca. 1955, Armless easy chair

Charlotte Perriand

1961, Bench with drawer box

Industrial Elements in Interiors

Industrial elements recall the 19th century, the era of the Eiffel Tour and advancements in technology that seem antiquated today but were cutting edge for the time.

Hello everyone, I’m Susi and I write as a guest blogger for Design Shuffle, a fabulous social media site that promotes interior designers and their work from around the world. My writing focuses on things I’m passionate about: interior design, decorating ideas, home furnishings, gardening, travel and art. I get to look at gorgeous things all day and write about them. I’m a very lucky girl!

Tete de Litvia

I am thrilled to be invited to write about industrial elements in interiors for High End Weekly™. This is one of my obsessions. And I’m apparently not the only one. The current obsession with all things vintage industrial might have its roots in the Steam Punk movement, which focuses on Victorian era industrial, exploration, and scientific style. Or perhaps it is the result of the current focus on handcrafted and homemade. Industrial style certainly recalls a bygone era.

Decorology via

Industrial elements include tables with metal bases, industrial style lighting, filing cabinets, glass front cabinets, metal stools, bins, boxes and trays. Glass scientific bottles and cloches can be incorporated

with other industrial elements for a scientific spin.

Emmas Designblog via

If you think you haven’t seen industrial design before, look at the current trends in kitchen design. Professional stainless steel ranges, vent hoods, refrigerators and sinks get their designs from commercial kitchens.

vtwonen via

Industrial architectural salvage can be decorative or repurposed. As an integral part of this bathroom’s design, the shower enclosure is made from salvaged factory windows. Gorgeous!

Pinterest via

Industrial chic works well in urban loft environments. Makes sense as many of these lofts are located in former factory buildings. Architectural salvage combined with wood and metal furniture creates an industrial style in this open space.

Anyone, Girl via

Lighting and accessories are perfect elements of industrial style to incorporate into your interior. Industrial lighting, like this jeweler’s lamp, has great style and is very functional. Small objects and curiosities like cogs

make for interesting desk ornaments.

Wisteria via

Vintage or new metal draftsman stools can work in a number of kitchen designs, from contemporary to farmhouse. If you can’t find vintage industrial pieces, a number of big name retailers carry copies.

Restoration Hardware

The newly revamped Restoration Hardware has embraced industrial design, Victorian influenced Steam Punk and a bygone elegance. This content is provided by Design Shuffle, where you can find and share talented interior designs from from New York interior designers, Los Angeles interior designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.

Jean Prouvé’s Industrial Furniture

French metal worker, Jean Prouvé was a self-taught architect and designer who would most likely always be remembered for his influence in the development of the idea of nomadic architecture, likening a chair to a house, and designing both with portability in mind.

Jean Prouvé bookshelf, 1953

Above all, his main achievement was the ability to transfer manufacturing technology from industry to architecture, without losing aesthetic qualities. It’s also worth mentioning that he was an outstanding designer with many talents. From architectural design, industrial design, structural design right down to furniture design.

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