Timeless Design -- Modern Design from the Past in the Present

One of the most important things I learned while I was studying for my degree in Interior Design was this: Good design never goes out of style.


Above, George Nelson Bubble Lamps, 1947

Bubble Lamps, designed by Architect and Designer George Nelson in the 1947, were a staple of the modern home of the past. The ingenuity of this design was in the ability of the homeowner or interior designer to combine multiple shapes, or use individually, to create a flexible lighting scheme. The series was designed with organic modularity in mind, as the lamps could be hanging ceiling fixtures, sconces, floor, or table lighting based on the hanging accessories chosen. Bubble Lamps enjoyed one of the longest production runs, as these lamps were sold well into the 1970's by Herman Miller, and originally sold for about $14 each. In the 1990's, Modernica resurrected the production of the Bubble Lamps, to much popularity, as they are still a favorite among designers due to their ability to complement today's contemporary design.




The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is one of the most recognized icons of American furniture design. The effectiveness of the design has garnered it it's own celebrity status, as the lounger has been featured in popular movies, television, and print ads to this very day.

Above, the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, designed in 1956

From the Herman Miller website:

The Eames lounge chair and ottoman is the culmination of Charles and Ray Eames' efforts to create comfortable and handsome lounge seating by using production techniques that combine technology and handcraftsmanship. Its heritage goes back to the molded plywood chairs pioneered by the Eameses in the 1940s, and it's part of the permanent collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Charles Eames said his goal for the chair was the "warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman's mitt." Every one is a special refuge from the strains of modern living.

The Barcelona Chair is probably one of the best examples of timelessness in design. The chair and stool were designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich for the Barcelona World Fair of 1929 as part of the German Pavillion. The design of this chair was inspired by the folding campaign chairs of the ancient Roman military generals.


Above, Barcelona Chair and Stool, 1929

Licensed and manufactured by Knoll, the Barcelona, perhaps because of it's seeming simplicity and pubic demand, is one of the most common chairs to be knocked off by imitators. However, the structural design and complexity of the Barcelona chair design requires a high level and quality of material and manufacturing techniques, rendering imitations and reproductions unequal to Knoll's.




More info on the web:

www.georgenelson.org
modernica.net
www.hermanmiller.com
www.knoll.com