Thirteen hours is a long time to fly only to sit on the job, but I did just that during the recent Stockholm Furniture Fair, an annual trek to this stunning city that also gives me an excuse to wrap up in my winter favorites. Seating is a key category for our clients, commercial and residential, and here are 5 edits worth a sit:
+Little Petra VB2
What originated as a lounge chair can now accommodate another 1 (maybe 2) seatmate. Danish house &Tradition resurrected the forgotten Little Petra, which Viggo Boesen introduced to acclaim in 1938, and in the last couple of years it has become a hit. Named after Viggo’s mother-in-law, Little Petra is compact in scale but provides surprisingly roomy comfort, to suit all manner of design aficionados. So why not extend the love for this superbly comfortable seat into a 2-seater sofa? &Tradition has done just that, as well as introduce additional upholstery options, including this creamy beige Sahara sheepskin.
+Dapper
On the opposite end of the scale consideration is the oversized, organically bulbous Dapper Collection by Mattias Stenberg for Mitab. Available in an array of upholstery choices, Dapper is also available in single-, double- and triple-seat iterations. We took on this family-owned firm based in Stockholm at A+R in recent months because it is so perfect for trade. A few pieces are now in the A+R showroom. This sheepskin version of this series is like a big teddy bear hug.
+Cocoon Lounge
Everything at Atbo Design is painstakingly crafted at its Havdrup home, and it shows. Rattan, soft textiles and solid woods combine in this comfortable egg-shaped chair by Kevin Hviid and Martin Kechayas. Hope to get a Cocoon and more from this resurrected heritage brand in the showroom sooner than later.
+Monster
Ok, so the quilted, soft Monster Seating Collection is celebrating a decade since emerging from the whimsical mind of Marcel Wanders, cofounder with Casper Vissers of Moooi. And it’s likely about how long we’ve been keeping tabs on this Dutch design house. The evolution of both our brands is now intersecting, so it’s prime time to become a prime partner in sharing this singular brand with the A+R world. Stay tuned for the Moooi x A+R showcase tied to Milan’s Salone Mobile.
+Roadie
No surprise that Massproductions’ newest addition to its outdoor collection scored SFF 2020’s “Best Product” award. My photo of designer Chris Martin hoisting Roadie up to show how light its 44.1 pounds looks was just too good not to run. And you’re likely tired of my mug by now! This high-back bench is made from recycled, heat-treated aluminum. Two horizontal rods form the curved frame, and vertical rods bend to create the high back. Powder coat finish is now available in silver, blue. or pastel yellow. Oh, and it’s stackable!
Roadie is a nod to the workers who assemble welded steel barriers at congested public events and, pointedly, the beauty of crowd control. With or without seat cushions, it’s also mighty comfortable.