Frank Lloyd Wright was not only known for his iconic architectural creations like the groundbreaking Fallingwater house and the Guggenheim Museum, but also for designing many of the complementary furniture pieces found inside them. Steelcase is resurrecting some of those designs it helped Wright bring to life decades ago in a new collection now geared toward the home office.
In 1936, construction started on a new building in Racine, Wisconsin, that would serve as the world headquarters for S. C. Johnson & Son. Commissioned by the company’s president at the time, Herbert F. Johnson, the Johnson Wax Administration Building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is not only known for helping to revive the architect’s career but for two very distinct design features: towering lily pad-shaped columns supporting the roof over an open working space known as the “Great Workroom,” and the beautiful and highly functional office furniture found beneath them.
“Work area at the Johnson Wax Building, headquarters of the S.C. Johnson and Son Co., Racine, Wisconsin”Image: Library of Congress (Other)
Steelcase is now known for its modern workplace pieces found in offices around the world—everything from office chairs to whiteboards—but the company has been around since 1912, and actually manufactured Wright’s innovative furniture designs for the Johnson Wax Administration Building. Over 80 years later, Steelcase is now reviving them in a new Frank Lloyd Wright Racine Collection line with some modern updates making them better suited for working from home with modern equipment.
Leading the new collection is the Frank Lloyd Wright Racine Signature Desk featuring a multi-level design, integrated storage cabinets, and larger work surfaces when compared to the original. It’s available in either maple or walnut woods, but with a $9,750 price tag, and without a chair, it’s for die-hard Wright fans only.
By removing options like the integrated trash can, upper document shelf, and storage compartments, the Racine Desks become slightly more affordable, with price tags starting at just over $4,600. There are matching chairs available too (with four legs for stability, despite Wright’s original design including just three to help promote better posture) which start at $1,800, with the option to add a pair of $338 armrests.
So while it’s a collection geared towards those who’re still spending lots of time working from home during the pandemic, it’s not exactly priced for the other unwanted side effects of the past three years, including skyrocketing costs for everything from electronics to groceries.
The Swedish furniture store chain launched a new pick-up location for the Syracuse area this month, according to its website.
“We are excited to confirm that we’ve recently opened our Pick-Up Location in Liverpool, NY, which offers IKEA customers an option to purchase qualifying furniture orders online for a flat rate of $30 and pick them up closer to home,” the website says. “As IKEA U.S. continues its transformation journey to become more accessible by opening new customer meeting points in cities, we are excited to bring the IKEA experience closer to the Syracuse, NY community.”
The Ikea pick-up location is located at 4530 Steelway Blvd South, Liverpool, N.Y. 13090, which is the same address as a Dunk & Bright Distribution Center off Morgan Road. Ikea orders will be available there for pickup Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.; the warehouse is closed on Sundays, according to Ikea’s website.
Ikea says its pick-up locations are partner locations where qualifying online orders from ikea.com can be picked up for a flat-rate fee of $30.
That would mean a savings for many customers in Central New York. A delivery of a $299 Ekedalen table would include a $45 shipping cost to Liverpool and a $1,999 Morabo couch would cost $99 to ship to Utica. Otherwise, shoppers would have to drive themselves to an Ikea location; the U.S. store closest to Syracuse is more than 200 miles away in Paramus, New Jersey.
Ikea now has 12 pick-up locations in the U.S., including a new one for the Buffalo area located at 2525 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga, N.Y. 14225. Online delivery for pickup in Cheektowaga also costs a flat-rate fee of $30.
Ikea still has no brick-and-mortar stores in Upstate New York, and items cannot be purchased in-person at pick-up locations.
Ikea previously told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that it would “not ever” open a store in Syracuse because its worldwide retail locations — which range in size from 260,000 to 340,000 square feet — require a population base of at least 2 million people to be successful. The Syracuse metro area has roughly 660,000 residents, according to U.S. Census data, though a $100 billion Micron Technology project in Clay is expected to drive a population boom over the next two decades.
In more recent years, Ikea has experimented with smaller store footprints, including a 25,000-square-foot “Pick-Up and Order Point” store in St. Catharine’s, Ontario, near Niagara Falls and the U.S. border in Western New York. Customers can browse a “design studio” for decorating ideas and buy a limited number of items on location, but the emphasis is on picking up online orders, saving on delivery costs.
PUNE, Jan. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Furniture Market" research report focus on overall information that can help to take decisions on current market situation.
Furniture refers to movable objects intended to support various human activities such as seating (e.g., chairs, stools, and sofas), eating (tables), and sleeping (e.g., beds). Furniture is also used to hold objects at a convenient height for work (as horizontal surfaces above the ground, such as tables and desks), or to store things (e.g., cupboards and shelves). Furniture can be a product of design and is considered a form of decorative art. In addition to furniture's functional role, it can serve a symbolic or religious purpose. It can be made from many materials, including metal, plastic, and wood.
Furniture Market Report Contains 2023: -
Complete overview of the global Furniture Market
Top Country data and analysis for United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, etc. It also throws light on the progress of key regional Furniture Markets such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle East and Africa
Description and analysis of Furniture market potential by type, Deep Dive, disruption, application capacity, end use industry
impact evaluation of most important drivers and restraints, and dynamics of the global Furniture Market and current trends in the enterprise
Detailed profiles of the Top major players in the industry, including. Steelcase,Herman Miller,Haworth,HNI Corporation,Okamura Corporation,Kokuyo,ITOKI,Global Furniture Group,Teknion,Knoll,Kimball International,KI,Kinnarps Holding,Nowy Styl,Ahrend,Henglin Chair Industry,Flokk,Fursys,SUNON,Uchida Yoko,Changjiang Furniture Company,Sedus Stoll,EFG Holding,Aurora,Bene,Quama,Martela,USM Holding,VS,Lanlin,IKEA,Ashley Furniture Industries,Steinhoff,Kimball,Hill-Rom,Stryker
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine War Influence, the global market for Furniture estimated at US$ 440400 million in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of US$ 560470 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period 2022-2028.
The home furniture segment accounts for the largest revenue share due to the evolution of flat-pack and RTA furniture. To cater to the rising demand, the vendors in the market are focusing on manufacturing flat-pack furniture for medium-price segments and solid wood furniture targeted at the high-end market.
Report Scope
This latest report researches the industry structure, sales, revenue, price and gross margin. Major producers' production locations, market shares, industry ranking and profiles are presented. The primary and secondary research is done in order to access up-to-date government regulations, market information and industry data. Data were collected from the Furniture manufacturers, distributors, end users, industry associations, governments' industry bureaus, industry publications, industry experts, third party database, and our in-house databases.
This report also includes a discussion of the major players across each regional Furniture market. Further, it explains the major drivers and regional dynamics of the global Furniture market and current trends within the industry.
researcher’s latest report provides a deep insight into the global Furniture Market covering all its essential aspects. This ranges from a macro overview of the market to micro details of the market size, competitive landscape, development trend, niche market, key market drivers and challenges, SWOT analysis, Porter’s five forces analysis, value chain analysis, etc.
Furniture Market segments help decision-makers direct the product, sales, and marketing strategies, and can power your product development cycles by informing how you make product offerings for different segments.
Segment by Type
Metal Furniture
Plastic Furniture
Wood Furniture
Furniture
Segment by Application
Household
Office
Hospitality & Hotel
Education
Healthcare
Other
Market segment by Region/Country including: -
North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)
Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Spain, etc.)
Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Southeast Asia, etc.)
South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc.)
Middle East & Africa (South Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, etc.)
High-impact rendering factors and drivers have been studied in this report to aid the readers to understand the general development. Moreover, the report includes restraints and challenges that may act as stumbling blocks on the way of the players. This will assist the users to be attentive and make informed decisions related to business. Specialists have also laid their focus on the upcoming business prospects.
COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War Influence Analysis
The readers in the section will understand how the Furniture market scenario changed across the globe during the pandemic, post-pandemic and Russia-Ukraine War. The study is done keeping in view the changes in aspects such as demand, consumption, transportation, consumer behavior, supply chain management, export and import, and production. The industry experts have also highlighted the key factors that will help create opportunities for players and stabilize the overall industry in the years to come.
Report Includes:
This report presents an overview of global market for Furniture, sales, revenue and price. Analyses of the global market trends, with historic market revenue/sales data for 2017 - 2021, estimates for 2022, and projections of CAGR through 2028.
This report researches the key producers of Furniture, also provides the sales of main regions and countries. Highlights of the upcoming market potential for Furniture, and key regions/countries of focus to forecast this market into various segments and sub-segments. Country specific data and market value analysis for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Germany, the U.K., Italy, Middle East, Africa, and Other Countries.
This report focuses on the Furniture sales, revenue, market share and industry ranking of main manufacturers, data from 2017 to 2022. Identification of the major stakeholders in the global Furniture market, and analysis of their competitive landscape and market positioning based on recent developments and segmental revenues. This report will help stakeholders to understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights and position their businesses and market strategies in a better way.
This report analyzes the segments data by type and by application, sales, revenue, and price, from 2017 to 2028. Evaluation and forecast the market size for Furniture sales, projected growth trends, production technology, application and end-user industry.
Descriptive company profiles of the major global players, including Steelcase, Herman Miller, Haworth, HNI Corporation, Okamura Corporation, Kokuyo, ITOKI, Global Furniture Group and Teknion, etc.
Key Benefits of Furniture Market Research Report:
Types, applications, regions, and key players covered in the study
Industry drivers, restraints, and opportunities covered in the study
Recent industry trends and developments
Competitive landscape & strategies of key players
Historical, current, and projected market size, in terms of value
In-depth analysis of the Artificial Intelligence AI Chips Market
Sales, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate are covered in the report sales channels, distributors, traders, dealers, etc. are covered in the report
Detailed TOC of Global Furniture Industry Research Report, Growth Trends and Competitive Analysis 2022-2028
1 Report Overview
1.1 Research Scope
1.2 Market Segment by Type
1.2.1 Global Furniture Market Size Growth Rate by Type (2017 VS 2021 VS 2028)
1.2.2 Metal Furniture
1.2.3 Plastic Furniture
1.2.4 Wood Furniture
1.3 Market Segment by Application
1.3.1 Global Furniture Market Share by Application (2017 VS 2021 VS 2028)
1.3.2 Household
1.3.3 Office
1.3.4 Hospitality & Hotel
1.3.5 Education
1.3.6 Healthcare
1.3.7 Other
1.4 Study Objectives
1.5 Years Considered
2 Market Perspective
2.1 Global Furniture Market Size (2017-2028)
2.1.1 Global Furniture Revenue (2017-2028)
2.1.2 Global Furniture Sales (2017-2028)
2.2 Global Furniture Market Size across Key Geographies Worldwide: 2017 VS 2021 VS 2028
2.2.1 Global Furniture Sales by Regions (2017-2022)
2.2.2 Global Furniture Revenue by Regions (2017-2022)
2.3 Global Furniture Market Size Forecast by Region
2.3.1 Global Furniture Sales Forecast by Region (2023-2028)
2.3.2 Global Furniture Revenue Forecast by Region (2023-2028)
2.4 Global Top Furniture Regions (Countries) Ranking by Market Size
2.5 Furniture Market Dynamics
2.5.1 Furniture Market Trends
2.5.2 Furniture Market Drivers
2.5.3 Furniture Market Challenges
2.5.4 Furniture Market Restraints
1.To study and analyze the global Furnitureconsumption (value) by key regions/countries, product type and application
2.To understand the structure of Furniture Market by identifying its various sub segments.
3.Focuses on the key global Furnituremanufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the value, market share, market competition landscape, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.
4.To analyze the Furniture with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.
5.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).
6.To project the consumption of Furniture submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries).
7.To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.
8.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.
Key Reasons to Purchase
To gain insightful analyses of the market and have comprehensive understanding of the global Furniture Market and its commercial landscape.
Assess the production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk.
To understand the most affecting driving and restraining forces in the Furniture Market and its impact in the global market.
Learn about the Furniture Market strategies that are being adopted by leading respective organizations.
To understand the future outlook and prospects for the Furniture Market.
Besides the standard structure reports, we also provide custom research according to specific requirements
Client Focus
1. Does this report consider the impact of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war on the Furniture market?
Yes. As the COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war are profoundly affecting the global supply chain relationship and raw material price system, we have definitely taken them into consideration throughout the research, and we elaborate at full length on the impact of the pandemic and the war on the Furniture,Industry.
2. How do you determine the list of the key players included in the report?
With the aim of clearly revealing the competitive situation of the industry, we concretely analyze not only the leading enterprises that have a voice on a global scale, but also the regional small and medium-sized companies that play key roles and have plenty of potential growth.
Please find the key player list in Summary.
3. What are your main data sources?
Both Primary and Secondary data sources are being used while compiling the report.
Primary sources include extensive interviews of key opinion leaders and industry experts (such as experienced front-line staff, directors, CEOs, and marketing executives), downstream distributors, as well as end-users.
Secondary sources include the research of the annual and financial reports of the top companies, public files, new journals, etc. We also cooperate with some third-party databases.
4. Can I modify the scope of the report and customize it to suit my requirements?
Yes. Customized requirements of multi-dimensional, deep-level and high-quality can help our customers precisely grasp market opportunities, effortlessly confront market challenges, properly formulate market strategies and act promptly, thus to win them sufficient time and space for market competition.
About Proficient market insights:
Proficient market insights is an upscale platform to help key personnel in the business world in strategizing and taking visionary decisions based on facts and figures derived from in-depth market research. We are one of the top report resellers in the market, dedicated to bringing you an ingenious concoction of data parameters.
"furniture" - Google News
January 16, 2023 at 04:55PM
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Furniture Market Will Revenue to Cross revised size of US$ 560470 million by 2028 Research by Business Opportunities, Top Companies report covers, Market-specific challenges, consumption by Regional data - Yahoo Finance
"furniture" - Google News
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Welcome toRoom Envy, a series where we ask interesting people about a favorite room in their house. From minimalist living rooms to vibrant kitchens, we’re zeroing in on the best features of the most enviable rooms.
Located just one mile from his vintage furniture store, Primaried, Jonathan Sanchez-Obias’s second floor apartment in an original 1920s Art Deco building in Miami’s MiMo neighborhood (a.k.a. Miami Modern) is a reflection of his playful midcentury curation. Born and raised in South Miami, he began collecting vintage furniture after moving into his first college apartment. While working as a web and graphic designer, Jonathan continued to make trades and sell items to dealers over the years. Then, in 2020, he decided to transition his business into a full-time operation with the opening of Primaried Studio, which has since been named one of the best vintage stores in North America.
For Jonathan, one of the determining factors while looking for the perfect rental last year was the flooring. “It has a huge impact on how furniture looks in a space. Vinyl tile and laminate flooring were deal breakers for me so it really narrowed down the options. Luckily this space has its original Florida pine floors.” The selling point for this particular unit was the northwest-facing windows in the living room. The sacrifice? Limited wall space, but Jonathan says this actually helped him to keep the space fairly paired down. Still, you might be wondering, how exactly does a furniture dealer with the eye and access to some of the most coveted pieces choose what to keep and what to sell? As Jonathan further explains, “I handpick and admire everything that goes through my showroom, so the things that I’ve decided to keep around hold even stronger value to me.”
Jonathan’s northwest-facing windows let the light in at sunset. Akari 55F lamp by Isamu Noguchi; Series 10 sofa by Brian Kane for Metropolitan, 1980s; Molded Plywood Chair by Peter Danko, 1980s; and Kay Leroy Ruggles Umbo bookcase, 1970s
"furniture" - Google News
January 06, 2023 at 06:31AM
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Mother-daughter duo turns Jeffersonville warehouse into full-service furniture bank for less fortunate - WDRB
"furniture" - Google News
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If the less-is-more influence of mid-century Modernism will come to define the design of the previous decade, the 2020s is poised to be an era of experimentation. Some of the most exciting pieces earmarked for release in 2023 border on the downright esoteric. Clay-hewn coffee tables that resemble sculpture; chubby sofas in Pop Art-bright hues, cabinets glowing with traditional Japanese lacquer or the console made from dust sum up today’s pluralist, postmodern aesthetic.
What lies behind the change? Covid lockdowns, which gave makers time to reflect and innovate, could be one reason. Sustainability is another. As designers work to meet the expectations of more eco-minded buyers, that shift from linear to circular production is fuelling a mini renaissance in creativity — whether it is working with artisans to perpetuate traditions and ensure livelihoods, using natural or local materials or turning factory offcuts into objects of beauty.
Utilising technology to minimise energy and waste is another theme. At last year’s New Designers show of graduate talent in London, Tom Golland won the Conran Shop New Designers award for his neoclassical side table made from light, recyclable aluminium digitally printed to emulate marble.
There is a practical aspect to all this too. “Rising costs — of materials and shipping — are forcing makers to become more resourceful,” says Prince Jewiti, co-founder of Galerie Revel, a Bordeaux-based gallery for collectable contemporary design from France, South America, Africa and elsewhere. With an emphasis on novel use of materials and craftsmanship, it makes its debut at this year’s Collect craft fair at Somerset House.
At last winter’s Design Miami, an international fair for contemporary and vintage design, Sarah Myerscough, whose eponymous gallery champions high-end design, had to put up a barrier to stop crowds touching Christopher Kurtz’s drinks cabinet — a tactile, rippling version of traditional linenfold carving made from tulipwood — displayed on the Best of Show award-winning stand.
Myerscough, who will also be exhibiting at San Francisco’s FOG Design+Art fair later this month, singles out Marcin Rusak as another name to watch. The Polish designer’s tables and asymmetrical shelves are made from resin embedded with the silvery halos of decayed flowers — an oddly beautiful material which grew out of his experiments in horticulture.
Other makers to note include Peshawar-based Studio Lél, where Afghan refugees skilled in the ancient art of Pietra Dura work on contemporary furniture (sold on online gallery Adorno). British maker Max Lamb’s (represented by Gallery Fumi) Urushi wooden furniture collection is finished by lacquer craftsmen from Wajima, Japan using sap from the Urushi tree.
Formed in response to the country’s economic crisis, Beit Collective works with more than 60 artisans in Lebanon. Its Beiruti chair, featuring intricate Khayzaran cane-weaving, is a collaboration with dynamic London designer Adam Nathaniel Furman.
‘It’s a thought-provoking time to be a designer,’ says Newcastle maker Joe Franc, who turns local street finds into practical, robust furniture
When London maker Jane Atfield turned discarded plastic sheets into lean-lined furniture 30 years ago, upcycling was a novelty. Now, thanks to the climate emergency and stuttering supply chains, it is a priority.
At the cutting edge of research are the makers repurposing natural detritus: architect Sara Abu Farha and engineer Khaled Shalkha turn surplus, UAE-sourced dates into a material called “datecrete” for their minimalist furniture, showcased at last year’s Dubai Design Week. Belgium-based Roxane Lahidji’s elegant tables, seats and lamps are made from tree resin mixed with sea salt for a surprisingly marble-like effect.
Then there are the designers finding new uses for industrial flotsam and jetsam — like modern alchemists. Charlotte Kidger turns recycled polyurethane foam dust — a byproduct of 3D model making — into tables or mirrors, the fragmented, jagged edges evoking the gravitas of ancient relics.
Korean maker Kwangho Lee, shortlisted for Wallpaper’s 2023 Designer of the Year, uses humble nylon rope for his hand-woven chunky benches and chairs. A collaboration with Swedish brand Hem has brought his experimental pieces to a wider audience.
Christopher Kurtz’s drinks cabinet is a tactile, rippling version of traditional linenfold carving made from tulipwood
A focus on sustainable materials has given rise to another movement — hyperlocalism, with makers foraging for found objects in their neighbourhoods while collaborating with nearby manufacturers. In London, Atelier 100 is an Ikea-backed project promoting makers who work with the capital’s factories, making use of discarded material for new pieces such as Mitre & Mondays’ floor lamp, a mix of timber, metal and the capital’s cobblestones.
In Newcastle, emerging maker Joe Franc’s stint working for a contract furniture manufacturer in Germany led him to question his role as a designer. Visits to sprawling commercial furniture fairs deepened his concern with the industry’s fixation with “squeaky-clean” newness.
It sent him back to his studio to focus on turning local street finds into practical, robust furniture: a chair made from wardrobe doors, a classic Windsor chair repurposed as a stool.
“As design students we’re taught to think in a linear fashion — working through a problem with a series of sketches before choosing the material,” he says. “We still want to make coherent, functional things, but perhaps it’s time to flip the way we do things by starting with the material and letting that dictate the outcome.” As our shortlist of other makers to look out for proves, it is, says Franc, a “thought-provoking time” to be a designer.
The House & Home shortlist
Agnes Studio
Guatemala-based Agnes Studio’s striking sculptural furniture grew out of a 2016 project sponsored by USAID, an international development agency. Creatives were asked to come up with ideas to bring the country’s craft traditions to a wider market.
“Typically, designers will tell artisans what to do. Our pitch focused on a meaningful dialogue, creating pieces that honour local traditions while also being contemporary,” says Gustavo Quintana-Kennedy, an architect who runs the studio with his wife Estefania de Ros, an interior designer.
Makers — sculptors, woodcarvers, metalworkers — use indigenous materials such as stone, bronze or wood. The asymmetrical hardwood surface of the Altar table, for instance, floats on bulbous legs carved from volcanic stone mimicking the contours of Mayan artefacts; the curved Lana chair is upholstered in white Highlands wool — like a shaggy embrace.
“This is slow furniture, with an artisanal soul, to hand down the generations,” says de Ros.
Marlène Huissoud
Growing up on a farm in the French Alps, where her parents kept bees, Marlène Huissoud became fascinated by the “habits of insects”. Her experimental and surreal furniture, exhibited at museums such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and MAK Vienna, aims to “bridge the gap between humans and nature” by incorporating insect waste into the designs.
For the surfaces of a slender-legged cabinet she used silkworm cocoons, sourced from a “slow” silk maker in India. (Conventional silk production involves boiling the cocoons during the pupal stage for speedier manufacturing; kinder methods allow the moths to develop and emerge from the cocoon.)
Huissoud’s cocoon-decorated surfaces are glazed in propolis, a resin-like material harvested annually from hives and used by the ancient Egyptians for mummification.
“Ultimately it’s about narrative: I want to push the boundaries of design by telling stories about the natural world,” says Huissoud, who dreams of owning her own “circular” farm, where she can plough back the natural waste into her designs: a haven for wildlife, bees and insect waste, “full of creative possibilities,” as she puts it.
Goldfinger
According to Grown In Britain, which promotes the use of indigenous wood, the UK imports £7.8bn of timber every year. Only China imports more. Goldfinger, a furniture design and making social enterprise tucked into the cavernous basement of Ernö Goldfinger’s Trellick Tower — hence the name — aims to change that.
Its quiet, Scandi-esque desks, chairs and bookcases are made from local wood such as plane or ash, felled due to disease or urban development, each piece stamped with the tree’s GPS co-ordinates. With clients who include interior designer Nicola Harding and architect Thomas Heatherwick, co-founder Marie Carlisle says her goal is to “bring luxury and sustainability together”.
The Goldfinger Academy runs free training programmes for aspiring makers, and North Kensington locals are invited to sit at the long trestle table for a monthly Sicilian lunch.
Zavier Wong
Styrofoam is the hidden ingredient of building materials: essential but rarely seen. Zavier Wong wants to elevate its reputation. The Eindhoven Design Academy graduate’s furniture is made from locally discarded polyurethane foam speckled with gold leaf — for a surprisingly expensive, Terrazzo-like look.
“Foam’s so cheap that anything not used is thrown away; I like the idea of turning a mass-produced material into something precious,” says the Eindhoven-based maker, who made his debut at last year’s PAD, a selling exhibition of antique and contemporary design in London. He uses simple cutting and gluing techniques to sculpt his pieces — tables, stools, benches — which are sealed with resin and polished for a lustrous finish.
Foam, says the reflective maker, has become a “metaphor for exploring ideas . . . I was born in Singapore, a very industrialised, uniform place; my work is partly a reaction to that because each piece is slightly different.”
Andu Masebo
Seeking inspiration for his next project, Andu Masebo spotted a stack of metal tubes in his workshop. “I sent them to local garages asking them to spray them in whatever colour they were using that day,” says the Royal College of Art graduate.
The resulting side tables — an animated, asymmetrical mix of wood with brilliant red and silver legs — led to another “hyperlocal” piece. A curvy-framed chair fabricated from bent car exhausts with a squashy recycled rubber seat was selected by the design incubator Atelier 100, set up to promote London makers working with local materials.
“So much of what I do is about resourcefulness, capitalising on what’s to hand,” says Masebo, citing his graduate project: a chair made out of a single piece of wood, cut into positive and negative shapes that slot together tidily — like a jigsaw — to minimise waste.
Matang
Lucien Dumas and Lou-Poko Savadogo, of Paris-based design and architecture practice Matang, are architects who also studied at the capital’s École Boulle college of fine arts and crafts (Savagado focused on tapestry and Dumas cabinet making).
Their joint skills are expressed in furniture that is handmade — and cerebral. Natural materials combined with classical techniques give the designs, prototyped by hand in the studio, an ageless feel.
A coffee table features a surface of smooth lava stone from Auvergne; the wooden base is bound in rope dyed with turmeric — a recurring motif. Their Burnt Cedar cabinet (at Galerie Revel), made without screws or nails, was inspired by the Japanese technique of shou sugi ban, which weatherproofs architectural cladding by charring its surface.
As Dumas puts it: “We consider pieces of furniture as elements of architecture; they are constructed, structured and assembled in the same way that a building might take shape.”
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Interior Define is a national chain of custom furniture stores headquartered in Chicago.
They have 20 locations across the country – many of them in fashionable districts such as Williamsburg, Brooklyn and SoHo in New York City; La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles and Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica; Walnut Street in Philadelphia; Hayes Valley in San Francisco.
The Chicago location is in a fashionable neighborhood too - at 833 W. Armitage Ave. in Lincoln Park.
The trouble is that Interior Define has taken big bucks from thousands of customers and failed to deliver the orders. CBS 2's Lauren Victory sorted out the mess through the eyes of a suburban couple.
Amanda Bose, and her husband, Apurva, are proud of their new home. But they're a little embarrassed – instead of couches, the only seating available in some spots is pillows, or floor seats.
"This was, you know, a room that we can't furnish," Apurva said as he stood in the middle of a vast, empty expanse of wall-to-wall carpeting.
CBS 2
The space is empty – like the answers the Boses say they have gotten from Interior Define.
The couple talked to CBS 2's Victory while sitting on a couch they bought through Interior Define a few years ago.
"I saw they're based in Chicago, so that really drew me to them," said Amanda.
They trusted the brand, so they handed over another $8,000 for more stuff.
"We found out we were pregnant, and so I wanted a nice chair," said Amanda.
But Baby Bose, who is due in a few weeks, won't have any nursery seating until late May of this year. That is five months longer than expected.
Other furniture they bought in March was supposed to arrive in 22 to 25 weeks – meaning this past September at the latest. They received an email claiming in July claiming the March order was "still on the water" – one of many excuses they said they were given.
"I went on social media and saw that other people were in the same situation – which, you know, didn't give me a good feeling," said Amanda.
A second Chicago custom told us she was infuriated about a recent update to her April 2022 purchase. Delivery got bumped to mid-April of this year – a while year after she made the order.
Hundreds more have complained to the Better Business Bureau – earning Interior Define an F rating.
We were able to get in touch with an Interior Define employee who was recently laid off by phone. Her job was to update customers on thousands of missing orders.
She says she noticed things starting to take a turn in July.
Apparently, she said, "vendors weren't being paid." But the script from higher-ups said to blame "an internal disruption in the supply chain."
"We didn't feel confident in the information we were given," the ex-employee told us. She said that made her feel like she was "lying to customers in some cases."
Her team was "skeptical why things were taking so long."
We went to the Chicago location on a recent weekday afternoon – and it was all locked up. Our insider told us that is because angry customers kept showing up.
Attempts to chat online with Interior Define get you nowhere. Neither do calls.
Finally, the company posted to social media for the first time in weeks. They said their brand has been sold – and the new buyer may not be able to fill previous orders.
"The most annoying part is we're paying for something we don't even have - and we don't know if we're ever going to get," said Apurva.
The Boses have been left emptyhanded at a time when their hands are about to be full with a baby.
CBS 2
Despite Victory's many attempts, Interior Define has not responded to her. Other than the social media post, the company has gone silent.
By the way, our source believes some 6,500 Interior Define orders are still stalled.
As for the Bose family, they financed their furniture for Affirm, a buy now, pay later company – and they have disputed the charges.
Affirm released the following statement:
"Affirm offers consumers a transparent and flexible way to pay over time with no late or hidden fees. Returns and refunds are subject to the merchant's policies. While we typically have a 60-day window for disputes, customers who have issues with an outstanding loan for Interior Define should contact Affirm through our Help Center to initiate a dispute. Once a dispute is initiated, all payments will be paused."
Lauren Victory is a Morning Insider reporter for CBS2 Chicago. Lauren joined the station in May 2016 and is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
The 1970s is themost influential decadewhen it comes to furniture design, according to independent furniture retailer, Barker and Stonehouse.
While some design fads from that period haven't come back into style – we're looking at you, carpeted bathrooms – there are other trends that we've been styling in our homes for years now, and in 2023, the 70s aesthetic is coming back big.
Barker and Stonehouse used average monthly search data to identify the five most popular decades for home décor inspiration from the last 75 years. The 1970s topped the list, followed by 1960s, 1980s, 1950s and 1990s.
Catharina Björkman, style expert at Contura, calls it the 70s revival, rooted in nostalgia with earthy tones, patterned wallpaper, geometric shapes and the reintroduction of materials like velvet, bamboo and rattan.
'The easiest way to embrace this trend is to introduce an eclectic mix of velvet armchairs, rattan furniture, mushroom lamps, quirky knick-knacks, and the all-important retro drinks trolley,' Catharina explains. 'And don't forget the importance of the humble houseplant, which really rose in popularity in the 1970s – pothos, spider plants, ferns, ficuses and snake plants will all help you achieve the right 70s vibe. If you want to go all out, invest in a dimmer switch, which will allow you to recreate the mood lighting synonymous with the era.'
Kelly Collins, Interior Designer and Head of Creative at Swyft, describes this revival as 'an evolution of the mid-century modern craze' that has dominated the industry for the past few years. Rich, earthy tones like terracotta and warm browns, with a mix of layered textures and big patterns, is key to this trend. Even Taylor Swift harkened back to a 70s aesthetic for her latest album, as noted by Matilda Martin, Trend Specialist at paint brand Lick.
'Following Taylor Swift's new album, Midnights, we are noticing a revival of the popular 70s interior aesthetic. This decor style is relaxed and fun, evocative of the free-spiritedness and optimism of the 70s era,' says Matilda. 'Warmth emanates from a 70s-inspired home, largely through its colour scheme. People are adding that 70s groove and energy into their homes by incorporating earthy browns, terracotta reds and oranges and opting for low lighting in the form of the iconic mushroom lamp.'
So, where to begin? To incorporate seventies chic into your own home, focus on 'key materials and furniture items that are reminiscent of the decade,' says Helena Davies, Head of Home Buying at Barker and Stonehouse. Whether you want to fully embrace the trend or introduce it in small doses, Barker and Stonehouse reveals its top three style icons to help you add some 70s flair.
70s style icon 1: Rattan
Natural textures such as rattan has been a big hit in interiors, thanks to its neutral tones. For the interior, think rattan light fittings, chairs, chest of drawers and storage baskets. But rattan is also ideal for using outdoors, so if you're already dreaming of warmer summer days spent enjoying the sunshine in the garden, you might want to look at investing in some rattan garden furniture.
'The return of rattan has seen furniture styles come through in new shapes and colours. So, if neutral isn't your thing, why not tap into this iconic seventies woven trend with a couple of striking black rattan pieces? Or you can mix and match rattan dining chairs in different styles for a fun, experimental feel,' says Helena.
Rattan storage basket
hm.com.uk
£34.99
Bue Sage Green Mango Wood & Rattan Chest of Drawers
oliverbonas.com
£555.00
MalinDining ChairBlack Beech and Rattan
barkerandstonehouse.co.uk
£189.00
£149.00 (21% off)
Kedarpur Rattan Side Table
nkuku.com
£175.00
£122.50 (30% off)
70s style icon 2: Velvet
There's something about velvet that we can't get enough of. From the sumptuous feel and rich, luxurious colourways that it tends to come in, to the instant impact that it adds to any space, we've been incorporating velvet textures into our homes for a while now and we don't see ourselves stopping anytime soon.
A great way to add a pop of colour, opt for emerald green, millennial pink or yellows and golds to give a bold nod to the seventies, from your living room to your bedroom.
Velvet Louise Curtain
anthropologie.com
£68.00
Hudson 3 Seater Click Clack Sofa Bed - Forest Green
dusk.com
£499.00
£359.00 (28% off)
Cut Velvet Jacquard Cushion
M&S Collectionmarksandspencer.com
£19.50
Juliette Stool
urbanoutfitters.com
£159.00
£135.00 (15% off)
70s style icon 3: Cantilever chairs
These L-shaped frame chairs were huge in the seventies but continue to be a great option for dining room and home office seating today. Combine the trends by choosing a velvet upholstered cantilever chair or one with rattan detailing.
