Australia's Featherston Chairs are Back

Still so much to learn. It is both exciting when i stumble across new things and also overwhelming that there is so much good design - past and present - that I have not met yet. This morning I have learned about one of Australia's most celebrated furniture designers, Grant Featherston. Mid-century design is a bit of a love of mine, when we compiled our 2014 iconic chair design calendar that was a particular period we were drawn to. A combination of new materials and processes, clean, sleek and inviting design and a real nod to comfort that I just love. 

So today I saw the classic and beautiful chairs of Grant Featherston re-invented for a new generation. His wife, Mary, and design partner has collaborated with Gordan Mather Industries and Grazia & Co to bring these perfected shapes back into production.

Grant's first chair was the R152, created in 1951. Elegant tapered legs, curved plywood and a firm seat curved to reflect a person's shape. The contour range became popular in Modernist homes and is enjoying a bit of a renaissance. 

Mary says "The themes of sustainability, efficiency of form and environmental sensibility that Grant championed are more relevant than ever. He was ahead of his time in many respects – the designs featured in this collection are testament to the endurance of both his designs and this philosophy”.

The colours this time round are a little more opulent, there is a lovely rich green velvet, a hardy mustard and a wine coloured chair that would add a touch of class to a cool minimal concrete space. 

For more information check out Yellow Trace and this article from Archer Modern.