Finnish designer Eero Aarnio is a man whose works likely need no introduction: his iconic Ball Chair is easily one of the most recognizable chairs in modern design. Despite being designed in 1963, this fiberglass chair is permanently anachronistic: it continues to seem like something you’d see in the not-too-distant future. Even more futuristic (and undoubtedly swank) is the Bubble variant which hangs from the ceiling and is made out of clear acrylic with a chromed steel trim.

The Keinu rocking chair is a labor of love; although Eero’s first draft was created in 1983, it took another twenty years before he would allow a more refined version to see production. A product of two decades and two centuries, the chair’s chrome frame is decidedly retro with an ebullient, circular shape (note the small ball stop–yes, it’s that round!), while the seat is somewhat more contemporary and is upholstered in tightly wrapped leather.

Eero clearly loves to have fun with his work; his Double Bubble Lamp (at top, apparently being worshiped by Ball Chairs) is youthful yet grandiose. Available in three sizes, the largest version stands nearly four feet tall, with all sizes being powered by two light sources in the bubbles and one in the leg.

From oversized fiberglass screw tables (1991) and the racing-inspired Formula Chair (1998) to his Focus Chairs (2002) and playful TIPI birds (2002), Eero shows no signs of slowing down. A creative yet playful force of nature in his own right, Aarnio’s overriding philosophy is best summarized by a quote about his fanciful Pony Chair: “It’s quite simply a lovely piece that brings a smile to my face. Hope it brings one to yours too.”
eeroaarnio.com

“In order to make a real contribution to one’s times, one must remain curious and engaged.” So begins the introductory flash animation on the website of Dakota Jackson, a design-driven American company whose pieces definitely border on the curious side of things. Above: I was immediately drawn to the Ke-zu collection, with designs that bear a strong resemblance to the lines of a classic 1950s Detroit automobile. The curvaceous silhouettes and tapered legs are most pronounced on the Ke-zu Chaise, but the sofa, loveseat and chairs also carry similar features, if in a more subdued fashion.

The Bump Collection is all about curves, even more so than the Ke-zu line. The chairs in particular feature a reclined seat rest that dips right where it meets the seat back; yesterday’s readers may remember this same design cue in Bruno Fattorini’s ARJ series of chairs. Bentwood legs warmly contrast with an otherwise minimalist color palette (white + metal), giving the Bump collection a comfortable yet sophisticated appearance.

The T-Bird Series takes the opposite approach with a clearly modernist architecture. Dark, triangular bases, steel tension cables and aluminum mallets are minimally topped with smoked glass: only those with the most severe and serious of personalities need apply. The bases themselves are lacquered and scored on certain edges, giving the entire line an almost alien appeal.

Dakota Jackson’s Calliope, Big Sleep and Arc Series all strike me as a bit cartoonish. This is perhaps due to the way that the furniture starts small at the bottom and then inevitably flares out at the top. Note: although the images above are all monochrome, custom finishes are available. Similar to the work of Lorin Marsh, art deco and retro/modern influences abound through all three of these series, and throughout Dakota Jackson’s furniture as a whole.
dakotajackson.com

Bruno Fattorini is not only one of the leading designers at MDF Italia, but has served as president of the manufacturer since 1992. In addition to implementing a more dynamic and innovative business strategy, Fattorini is also clearly a disciple of the minimalist school of design. Above: the bare-bones Desk Extra features a perfectly flat top, made possible by a patented tensioning device. The tabletop comes in either tempered glass, high-pressure melamine laminate or ceramic panels, while the frame and legs are made from aluminum.

Fattorini’s aluminum bed follows the same minimalist aesthetic of the Desk Extra, with a purely rectangular anodized frame. Even the headboard option remains minimalist, with your choice of a 57cm or 78cm version; the shorter headboard is so short that it is nearly flush with the bed when a mattress is installed.

With the widespread adoption of LCD and Plasma TV screens, Italia’s Television Panel system is a sleek and stylish alternative to traditional TV stands. Two wall panels comprise the system, with optional shelves and open cabinets for storage. The best feature of the system: as long as your TV is 10cm in depth or less, it can be flush-mounted with the wall panels–visual integration at its best.

The ARJ series of chairs all feature a low seat back and a tastefully curved design over a steel frame cold-foamed with PU rubbers. These bubble-shaped chairs are available with a variety of options including casters, swiveling and open seat backs. Equipped with a fixed ottoman/pouf which matches the upward tilt of the seat rest, the ARJ becomes a lounge chair, perfect for relaxing days spent in front of the TV or fireplace.

There isn’t a whole lot to say about the JILL table; a low-slung wenge coffee table, perhaps the most interesting features are the curved chromium-plated steel legs. Taken as a whole, however, JILL is subtle and sophisticated–in other words, a classic example of Bruno Fattorini and MDF Italia’s minimalist appeal.
mdfitalia.it

Brave Space is a Brooklyn-based group of designers with a focus on sustainable products that are both a bit playful and contemporary. Their environmentally-friendly Bamboo Slide is a classic example of both their philosophy and their New York roots, with a small footprint that is perfect for tight urban kitchens. A sliding butcher block top adds nearly another 2 feet to its length and also reveals an extra, removable cutting board. Two drawers to either side of the table also slide out for additional storage space. In Brave Space’s words, this useful kitchen island also allows a host to simultaneously prepare food and serve as barkeep–making Bamboo Slide not only efficient in space but in time.

The Hollow line of tables features an open-ended “hangar” that sits just underneath the tabletop, useful for hiding relatively flat items such as magazines and books. The end table is particularly suited for storing periodicals with pockets on its legs, while the bench makes up for its length with a central cutout that allows for access to its hollow interior. A light blonde bamboo trapezoidal inner frame is wrapped by a darker amber shell, which is an interesting play on negative space. Finished in organic herbal oil, these tables are both minimal and sustainable.

Brave Space’s Tetrad series is based off of Tetris, a game to which many of us can attribute lost hours and sore thumbs. Not only is the shape of Tetrad just like its electronic counterpart, but its pieces are interchangeable too. This allows for an infinite variety of combinations; stylish, double-sided beveling only adds to the permutations by making the individual shelves reversible. A Pack Flat version comes with metal backing and fast shipping, while the Mini and traditional versions are bulkier but finished in more stylish Walnut.

Deep Space is a two-toned Baltic Birch and Walnut wardrobe which highlights Brave Space’s love for compartments and extra storage spaces, with a variety of hidden, shallow and deep drawers located not only inside its cavernous 4 foot-deep interior but installed inside its longest door. Three exposed drawers allow for easy access, while a bi level shoe rack near the bottom and a hanging rack near the top handle clothing and other apparel easily. Powder-coated black aluminum hardware accents an otherwise fully wooden frame which is finished with their patented water-based BioShield formulation.

The Bamboo Stagger and Desk 235 both feature zig-zagging perpendicularly oriented parts; the Stagger is a shelving system with an asymmetric configuration to make room for irregular pieces such as vases while maintaining a fairly compact profile, while Desk 235 is wrapped in thin cherry/walnut veneer panels for a lightweight appearance. 235 is so named for its shelving which resembles a digital clock; now if only we all got to leave work at 2:35!

Lastly we have the Folded Bed, which is a sleek, low-profile bed platform with the same thin-panel appearance as the Stagger and 235. The headboard is flanked by two semi-translucent panels which, are useful for diffuse rear lighting. Even the slats are stylish, as they not only flush with the bed but fully integrated into its frame. In addition to the products featured above, Brave Space also provides custom design services to fit your own needs; for more information, visit their website by clicking here.

It’s always nice to feel good about anything you buy; it can be said that Andrew Moe’s furniture engenders good feelings twice over with not only style but environmentally sound production practices. Reclaimed lumber is the Moe Design Studio’s medium of choice, and as such no two pieces are ever alike.

Above: The Olathe series of tables is perched upon tapered, insect-like legs and can be topped with glass, wood or even stone. The top table is made from hickory, while the bottom is made from oak–both from reclaimed sources.

The Ames and Musashi are solid and imposing coffee tables with fundamentally different design approaches; Musashi is clearly more asian-inspired with a cantilevered oak top, while the Ames is minimal and modern. Musashi actually utilizes two pieces of steel to support its “roof”, whose ends are purposely exposed at the top of each leg. The Ames utilizes more traditional dovetail joinery to produce an essentially seamless transition from the sides to the top.

The zebra-like Chama is composed of several different species of wood to give it a unique striped look. The example above is made from soft maple and spruce, with a contrast not only between colors but textures (smooth vs. rough). At just over 1 1/2 feet in height, Chama is suitable as a short end table, stool, or plant stand.

Ridgeway looks a bit like it was sculpted from a single and unbroken piece of wood. In reality the white-washed finish nearly obscures the transition between the legs and the bottom of the seat. I like the overall shape of the piece – sharply tapered legs and an uneven top give Ridgeway a playful, handcrafted look with just a touch of modern.

The city of Mancos is located in the extreme southwestern corner of Colorado, and is rich with farming, timber and mining industries. The Mancos bed is somewhat of a testament to a predominantly outdoor culture with a rustic, unfinished red oak frame. I say somewhat, in that the bed is also clearly contemporary in shape, if not in texture.

The elegant Ophir desk and chair combo is made from rich ash wood with gorgeous, sweeping legwork on both pieces. This collection is my favorite, as it balances both minimalist aesthetics with just enough flair to make a statement. For more information on the Ophir and other pieces by Andrew, feel free to visit the Moe Design studio. Note: although his work is mostly made to order, some of his tables are also available at Vivavi.

Maybe it’s just the professional photography–but New York-based Lorin Marsh’s line of furniture is infused with an architectural elegance that crosses the boundaries of traditional, contemporary and transitional furniture. Above: the metropolitan Plinth cocktail table is supported by two bronze monoliths with wide bases that resemble the load-bearing components of a bridge, while both the Eclipse and Handle Bar tables feature thinner, more wiry frames. The Eclipse is made from stainless steel, while the Handle Bar’s base is crafted from brown Parisian iron and topped with a limestone slab.

Wood never looked so good: the Solitaire dining table is a solid table with a pleasant mix of rounded and squared elements, and is absolutely stunning in glossy Macassar ebony. Simpler but more contemporary, the Cube is named after the slick lacquered wood block that sits on its stainless steel base.

Lorin Marsh clearly prefers an eclectic variety of materials; the U bench has a fairly basic design but is clad in textured metal to give it a more imposing, stone-like presence. Similarly, the Nesting Tables also look to be made from concrete or rock, but are actually wrapped in Mink goatskin with polished nickel hardware accents. Lastly, sandstone-like paneling on the Waterfall cocktail table is actually bleached goatskin, also accented with polished nickel around the underside.

Like prop pieces from a ritzy Art Deco movie, the Glam sofa and club chair have flared and vertically ribbed backs with smooth, rounded arms. Beautifully upholstered in metallic silver fabric and finished with dark wooden legs, these chairs are sophisticated and flashy – much like Hollywood celebrity of the 20s and 30s. The Tivoli game table and Jansen chest complement the Glam collection, as they are both sheathed in stainless steel and accented with classy gold and brass; with shiny furniture like this, it’s no wonder that celebs seem to perpetually sport sunglasses.

Significantly more subdued but just as classy, the Fretwork ottoman and Maze desk feature dark, geometric frames with. Both pieces highlight a playful tendency to form similar elements from fairly different materials; while the Fretwork’s frame is made from maple wood, the Maze is actually perched on iron legs.

Saving the best for last: the Laslo chandelier is a stunning 12-light fixture with fancy serpentine arms juxtaposed against a futuristic, satin nickel frame. This unique blending of contemporary and traditional design is classic Lorin Marsh. In an age of mass-produced me-toos, quality innovation–even if it draws on historical influences–is always welcomed by the discerning consumer.
lorinmarsh.com

Zanotta is a storied Italian industrial design company with collections in over 60 museums around the world. With an R&D-friendly corporate philosophy and undisputed manufacturing expertise, they’ve been able to develop both original, handmade pieces as well as provide faithful reproductions of classics. Above: the Ross Lovegrove’s Brasilia lounge lhair has a beautiful 60s scifi aesthetic to it, with an embossed polyurethane frame and curvaceous silhouette. Others have taken notice: it’s part of the Chicago Athenaeum collection, and is the winner of the 2003 Good Design Award.

Like the Brasilia, the Maggiolina lounge chair also has modern roots but with a more classical appeal. A graceful stainless steel tubular frame wraps around a cowhide sling, which is in turn backed with a plush goose down cushion. Leather strips on the armests and a leather seat cushion finish this restrained, yet stylish chair.

The Cavour writing desk is regarded as one of the most desired pieces in the Zanotta collection, and rightly so. Its streamlined, aerodynamic legs harken back to the dawning of the jet age, and a clear glass top helps to further accentuate its sleek profile. The oak frame can be finished bleached or wenge-stained. This table is absolutely stunning and definitely something I would love to own if I had $9k to spare.

The playful Dora chair really comes to life when finished with floral patterns. Combined with a glossy lacquered finish, the chair takes on the look of silky fabric that is impossibly smooth and taut. A polyethylene frame makes this a viable option for both indoor and outdoor seating.

While the Cavour spoke to mankind’s triumphant entry into the jet age, the Arabesco coffee table is perhaps a fusion of both organic and alien/space-age influences. The gorgeous bent ply frame with irregular, oblong cutouts is clearly inspired by cell biology, while the tempered plate glass top and shelf have a remarkably leaf-like appearance. An homage to Carlo Mollino (who designed the Cavour), this table and the other items featured in this post are an excellent example of Zanotta’s ongoing love for high quality, beautifully-designed furnishings.
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The workspace needn’t be a deadzone when it comes to style – in fact, I’d go as far as to say that stylish furnishings may even help increase productivity. The Autopilot Workstation ($1,250) by Material Furniture features an organic silhouette that betrays its environmentally friendly roots. The Autopilot is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to be built from sustainable wood: specifically, premium 3/4″ maple europly. Available in maple or dark walnut finish, this curvaceous desk comes with a pullout keyboard tray and your choice of a Citron, Ice Blue, Tangerine or White laminate top.

If you’re looking for something with straight lines, the elegant Liege Desk ($2,200) may be right up your alley. Supported by crossed stainless steel legs and topped with a slender desktop, the sleek desk keeps its visual footprint to a bare minimum. With an earthy oak or chestnut finish, the Liege is quietly sophisticated.

Workspaces are what you make of them – and with the OFFI Overlap Tray ($99), you can literally make your workspace anywhere. A single sharp pocket with an extra flared lip allows you to simultaneously rest your laptop, hold documents, and perch a drink on the tray. A wonderful impromptu desk, the Overlap is made out of molded plywood and is finished in either birch or walnut.

One of my favorite modern furniture designers is downtown LA’s Steelogic, a company which regularly employs stainless steel and anodized aluminum in its designs. Their name naturally connotes cold and rational thought – and their minimalist bent (engineering pun, take cover!) would certainly embrace that description.

It is therefore a pleasant surprise that many of its pieces manage to stir up powerful emotions; from the smoothly undulating lines of the Wave Dish ($228) and Radius End Table ($1789) to the nitty gritty urban feel of Magrak A ($155), Steelogic’s innovative yet fundamental approach to metal shaping inevitably places its furniture at the spiritual locus of any room (or conversation contained therein). As if its stylistic strengths weren’t enough, the company is also ecologically warm and fuzzy (not exactly the terminology you’d apply to steel adherents) — all of its steel products utilize 85% scrap metal.

My favorite Steelogic products are the Planks Table ($7,031), Planks Bench ($2,482) and the Low Coffee Table ($2,331) all three of which constantly play up perpendicularly-oriented shapes in what I think amounts to a geometrician’s wet dream. The trio and its other shiny siblings could likely be rebuilt using wood constituents, but it is with metal and its intrinsic sheen that many of Steelogic’s pieces manage to transcend functionality and take on a sculptural beauty.
2modern.com

I love furniture that is both simple yet functional, and Componibili storage units fit that definition handily. Created in 1969 by the late Italian designer and architect Ms. Anna Castelli Ferrieri, “Componibili” are little more than plastic cylindrical and square containers – but what fantastic containers they are!

Created in the same year that saw the last episode of the original Star Trek, you can almost hear the futuristic “whoosh” of Componibili’s sliding doors. Kids in particular seem to be enamored by its cubbyhole characteristics; adults use them as anything from nightstands to bathroom storage. Extremely versatile, Componibili can be stacked or moved around on small wheels.

Is it just me or do these guys look a bit like the Kodama from Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke? Alright, it’s probably just me – but with over 30 years in production and a presence in NY MOMA’s collection, these little guys have definitely developed a life of their own.
$50-$140, unicahome.com