contemporary polish sofas and seats

While the story of the ugly duckling that turns into a beautiful swan is an inspiring one, perhaps more admirable are the ducklings that take that ugliness and make it all their own–cultural definitions of beauty be damned. Polish designer Martin Gawlik’s Arc chair is not ugly, but it isn’t pretty either. A short, but skinny frame with four protruding legs and a nearly vertical backrest bring back memories of tiny yet tall European cars, while the slightly swollen leather upholstery adds a comical touch. Again, not a conventionally pretty chair–but it’s got character, a trait that is generally lacking in most furnishings.

Also by Gawlik is his Boxx sofa, so named because of regularly segmented cushions. This is a sofa of contradictions, at once built on a wiry metal frame, yet wrapped in thick, bulbous cubes. Somewhat like a lanky guy dressed in a muscle suit, this thickly padded chair is definitely comfortable: its relatively short stature and single arm design is essentially an invitation to lounge.

Perhaps one of the more pressing problems of our time is that of loose change in sofas (alright, perhaps not). Tomek Rygalik has essentially done away with the whole issue in a nice example of creative marketing by making the “bug” into a “feature.” Above: the Hidden modular seating system has a deep channel running its length that also doubles as legs. Not only a catchment for coins, the trough can hold everything from magazines to laptop cases.

The Longo seat features a contemporary design with unique tapered cushions and soft, yet sweeping curves. I particularly love the textured fabric option from the British Designers Guild. Thick, leafy patterns cover its surface, with a pattern that looks almost leathery from a distance. This 3-seater is also available in Italian leather or original Alcantara for those who prefer a smoother look.

Lastly, we have the aptly-named Slim seats: a minimal stainless steel frame and a thin foam coat are all that make up the basics, with your choice of fabric cover to match your decor. This is truly furniture on a diet, with a forward slanting frame that resembles an athlete poised to run. All of these pieces and more are available at IQ Matics.