Founded in 2011 by artists Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen, Muller Van Severen effortlessly blend art and design: Known for using bold, graphic, and linear forms, they have a cult following for their use of vibrant colors and the sculptural qualities and the visual impact of their designs. Each creation reflects their deep appreciation for the raw beauty of the materials they choose, reflected in the prestigious museums and galleries worldwide who have showcased them. One of A+R's favorite design teams, we are happy to be a part of their continuing rise in the design world.
The Pillow Modular Seating collection by Muller Van Severen for BD Barcelona exemplifies the design team's talent for combining playful design with functional versatility in this fully modular system. Each unit in the series features independent, vividly colored cushions that can be mixed and matched, offering a personalized and adaptable seating arrangement. Adding to the comfort and design cohesion, the bands that connect the cushions to the rest of the unit are also padded.
Another design for BD Barcelona, the bold and sculptural Bridges cabinets were originally derived from a series of vases that were in turn inspired by architectural geometry. These cabinets become sculptural pieces in their own right: each unit, available in various heights, features distinct cutouts and vibrant colors, creating dynamic and flexible storage solutions that look even better in a set.
When the first prototypes for their famous Hanging Lamp Series for Valerie Objects debuted in 2011 at the gallery space Valerie Training Antwerp, the lights were said to look "as if someone took a set of crayons and started drawing in the air." The series was designed in response to a practical need - the designer couple wanted an overhead light in their dining room, but lacked a ceiling outlet - and evolved further when they discovered a prototype for the white glass shade at a flea market.
A functional favorite for the tabletop are Muller Van Severen's Trivets for Valerie Objects. Both tabletop accessory and airy wall decor, these trivets are a mix of varying shapes that create an abstract artwork of contrasting lines. The thin steel outlines hang on top of each other, in either an all-black or joyful multicolor composition.