Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Furniture Longevity
S.U.N.Y
Fashion Institute of Technology
A �aster Thesis
By �entor,
�ay, 2014
Heidi Korsavong Fiona Anastas
Copyright,
2014
This is to certify that the undersigned
approve the thesis submitted by—
Heidi Korsavong
4
A Dedication
5
Acknowledgements
I am very grateful to everyone who has helped me along this path. Thank you for your patience, kind-
ness, and wisdom. I still have much to learn from those that float above the dissonance.
To Grazyna, the chair of our program; I admire the mountain you are climbing. This would not be pos-
sible without your persistence and tireless ambition. Thank you for envisioning a program that considers
the working professional who wants to stay relevant, challenge themselves, and find like-minded individuals
along the way.
To Fiona, my mentor—who helped me clarify my thoughts and find my voice. Thank you for your incred-
ible positivity and insightful expertise. It was a pleasure to work with you. Through this process, I think I
have gained a true friend.
To Laura, my colleague; I could not have asked for a better counterpart to have shared this experience
with. Thank you for your wit, intelligence, and frankness. Without you, I would have failed to find the humor
in the noise.
To Benjamin, my sunshine: I am truly grateful for your unending support and brilliance. Thank you for
embracing me with your warmth and lightness. You have given my thesis visual presence, spirit, and lyricism.
You have given my mind the mental peace to create and imagine all the Everything we have to do.
To my dear friends and family: your continued encouragement and love is the energy source that I draw
upon daily ... Abdiel, Angela, Barbara, Becca, Bridget, Cara, Caroline, Darnell, Doug, Elliot, Emily, Eric, Jen,
Jenny, Joel, Jon, Justin, Kasey, Lauren, �ina, �ylene, Paula, Peter, Rachel and Walter.
&
6
Contents
Abstract p. 9
Chapter 3 — Conversations p. 26
Conversations Overview p. 27
On Primacy in Form & Abstract Value p. 28
On Needed Form & Design Intent p. 30
On Functionality, Icons, & Narrative p. 32
On Adaptability & Re-Use p. 35
On Joinery & Connection to the Artisan’s Hand p. 36
On Noble �aterials & Patina p. 38
On Appropriate �aterials & Presence p. 41
On Contour & Sensuality p. 43
On Scale, Familiarity & Exposure p. 45
On �id-Century Design: Nostalgia, Ease, & Simplicity p. 47
Conversation Images, Information & Sources p. 49
Chapter 6 — Conclusions p. 72
7
List of Figures
Fig. 1
Watercolor illustration of traditional model of furniture production. p. 14
Illustration source: The author.
Fig. 2
Watercolor illustration of product lifecycle. p. 15
Illustration source: The author.
Fig. 3
Watercolor illustration of ecodesign strategy wheel. p. 16
Illustration source: The author.
Fig. 4
Graphic representation of factors that contribute to delight in furniture longevity. pp. 69, 70
Illustration source: The author.
Fig. 5
Pen illustration of the author’s chair as described in the Introduction (p. 11). p. 74
Illustration source: The author.
8
Abstract
This thesis seeks to define the physical and intangible factors that contribute to furniture longevity.
Delight, which can be understood as an emotional response resulting from feelings of immense gratifica-
tion and happiness, is implied to be one of these intangible factors.
Existing literature on the subject of object endurance and product longevity was reviewed and provided
the initial structure to categorize these factors. Professionals in the interior and furniture design industry
were interviewed to give richness and context to the nature of this inquiry. The insights indicate an initial
framework for users to evaluate the quality and value of existing furniture pieces and provide preliminary
considerations for contemporary designers seeking to design furniture for longevity.
9
The Role of Delight
in Furniture Longevity
Chapter 1 —
Introduction: A �odest
Inquiry
10
Introduction
A small brown chair perches at the corner of a one-bedroom studio
apartment. From afar, it appears graceful and birdlike: a light rosewood
armature supports a casual canvas sling with worn tufted cushions on
its seat. In the afternoons, sunlight fall in its lap to reveal subtle breaks
on the surface of its aged leather skin. Its owner patiently waits for
days when there is time to linger, to sit in it—to be embraced by the
chair’s comforting and familiar shape.
Certain furniture pieces carry an imbued memory; their form encour-
ages engagement, and their appearance suggests a rich past. A furni-
ture piece’s ability to inspire admiration and appreciation supports its
longevity. The benefits are two-fold: the furniture piece provides long-
term value to its user, and it keeps a physically-durable object from
being carelessly discarded before it has outlived its function.
This thesis research seeks to look at furniture and what factors con-
tribute to its extended re-use and longevity by multiple owners, or within
generations of a single lineage. It is founded on the basis that re-use
can help lessen the environmental burden by keeping items out of the
waste stream. The subject of this thesis, at its base level, is accessible
and easy to comprehend. �any readers have come into contact with a
piece of heirloom furniture that has been passed down from a previous
generation, or have things, new and old, that they have held onto in their
own personal collections. This thesis gives prominence to people and
their experience with their furniture. The research conducted is qual-
itative—it does not cover metrics or pose quantifiable solutions, but
rather starts to outline concepts for further research explorations. This
thesis aims to create points of entry for people who would not other-
wise engage in the discussion of sustainability. This is about the attri-
butes that are hard to measure, but, I would argue, are most impactful
in changing behavior patterns, and encouraging sustainable consider-
ations and solutions.
11
Thesis Topic
Research Questions
1.
What can the antique and vintage furniture market tell us about furni-
ture longevity?
2.
What are the physical qualities that contribute to furniture longevity?
3.
What are the intangible qualities that contribute to furniture longevity?
4.
Are physical or intangible qualities more significant when evaluating
furniture longevity?
12
Relevant Terms
Antique Furniture— Reproductions—
A collectable decorative object, piece of furniture, Furniture that is an unauthorized or unsanctioned
or artwork believed to be at least 100 years or more copy of an original design.
in age. 2
Re-use—
Embodied Energy— “Any operation by which products or components
This term engages life-cycle thinking. It is defined that are not waste are used again for the same pur-
as the total amount of direct and indirect energy pose for which they were conceived.” 5
required in producing products for consumption. 3
Sustainability—
Longevity— A holistic and long-term mindset with the goal of
This refers to the extended length and duration of consciously living / designing / producing more
time that a furniture piece is considered in use. efficiently while being mindful of satisfying eco-
nomic, environmental, and social interests.
Patina—
Visible signs of age or wear on the surface of a Vintage Furniture—
product or material. This can be achieved through An item (decorative object, piece of furniture, or
natural weathering or purposeful application. For artwork) that is of a certain era. “For the term vin-
antique and vintage furniture, it is often viewed as tage to accurately apply to it, an item should be
desirable effect and can enhance the character of somewhat representational and recognizable as
a piece. belonging to the era in which it was made.” 6
Recycling—
The process of converting waste into a new sub-
stance or product.4
Reissues—
Furniture designs that were once produced, then
discontinued for a certain period of time, that are
being put back into production by manufacturers.
13
The Significance of the Inquiry
“The proliferation of objects that once provided living testimony as to one’s degree of individualism and
uniqueness is today an ecological burden carried by the entire biosphere, of which we are an integral part.” 7
Fig. 1
14
Fig. 2 * �odified from the
Okala Practitioner
Impact Factors
& D I ST Information Graphic,
LY R
E �B ING & PU I BUT IO 2013.
S R CH N
AS K AG AS E
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EX � IAL ER IL
TR AT �A
TE R I N DF
AC ER C N
TI IA IN L A
O L
N or
NATURAL
ENVIRON�ENT
PHASES of PRODUCT
LIFE CYCLE
The figure above illustrates the opportunities of recycling and re-use during the lifetime of a furniture
piece: materials can be recycled, such as using salvaged wood to make a table-top; components can be
re-used, such as removing the leather on an old sofa to reupholster the seat of a chair; and finally the whole
furniture piece can be resold or passed down as an heirloom to experience life with a different user. Because
the function of a furniture piece remains relatively constant, this makes it a strong candidate for re-use.
“The net environmental impacts associated with reuse pathways tend to be considerably lower than those
associated with other management routes (recycling or landfill).” 14 Pursuing re-use options bypasses the
initial and final stages of production that are the greatest contributors to the embodied energy of furniture.
15
Fig. 3 4 * �odified from the
Reduced Distribution
Okala Practitioner
Ecodesign Strategy
Impacts Wheel, 2013.
3 5
�anufacturing Reduced Behavior
Innovation and Use Impacts
4
3 5 6 System
Longevity
2 2 6 6 — Design for
Reduced �aterial durability.
— Foster emotional
Impacts connection
1 7 to product.
8 — Design for
maintenance
and easy repair.
Transitional — Design for
Innovation Systems re-use and
exchange
1 7
of products.
— Create timeless
Optimized aesthetic appeal.
End-of-Life
8
At each stage of the process there is an opportunity to make decisions that are more cognizant of
impact and cost. The opportunities for influence / change / entry put forth by the Okala Practitioner are
delineated in the following stages:
1. Innovation
2. Reduced �aterial Impacts
3. �anufacturing Innovation
4. Reduced Distribution Impacts
5. Reduced Behavior and Use Impacts
6. System Longevity
7. Transitional Systems
8. Optimized End-of-Life
The focus of this thesis addresses Stage 6, System Longevity, which recommends designing for dura-
bility, fostering emotional connection to product, designing for maintenance and easy repair, designing for
reuse and exchange of products, and creating timeless aesthetic appeal. Not all of these strategies apply
to furniture, however the relevant strategies became the starting points of research for the literature review.
16
�ethodology
REVIEW OF EXISTING LITERATURE
In order to establish a framework of the factors that contribute to designing for extended use, existing
literature was reviewed and referenced. This study focused on the areas of furniture longevity, emotional
attachment to furniture and objects, the relationship of aesthetics to sustainable design, and historical
writings were referenced.
TI�EFRA�E
Interviews were conducted over a six-month period between November 2013 and �arch 2014.
17
Limitations & Delimitations
LI�ITATIONS
This research is limited by the number of interviews conducted and the fact that those interviews were
carried out under the restriction of a specific window of time. Readers should note that the information
collected represents a view of conditions and circumstances specific to the second-hand furniture market-
place in New York City and its boroughs, during the time period that the interviews were conducted.
DELI�ITATIONS
This exploration is not intended to prescribe a template for furniture longevity, but rather provide gen-
eral concepts to move the scholarly discussion forward.
18
The Role of Delight
in Furniture Longevity
Chapter 2 —
Literature Review
& Context
19
Design for Durability
Durability refers to a furniture product’s abil- for products, such as furniture, where the feasibility
ity to withstand, maintain, and endure during the of reuse makes sense, strategies for longevity can
use phase of its lifecycle. The inherent durability and should be applied.
is dependent on the furniture product’s construc- Historically, we have arrived at this predicament
tion quality, its ability to resist material degradation of compromised product durability and overabun-
through expected use, and suitability for standard dant consumption patterns due to marketing tech-
maintenance or repair.16 Physical durability is the niques that were developed during the mid twentieth
first requirement for attaining longevity. century to stimulate the economy. “This removal of
In order for a product to endure, it must have awareness through process can be seen as a con-
robust physical qualities that allow it to perform its tributing factor in the development of many unsus-
function over an extended time. Essentially, “people tainable practices associated with modern manu-
must keep products around long enough for them facturing.” 21 Products were intentionally designed
to create memories that are fundamental to attach- to break down (Planned Obsolescence), to become
ment.” 17 However, physical durability is not a guar- outdated with the introduction of a new, more use-
antee of longevity. ful product (Technological Obsolescence), or to be
The literature tends to speak broadly about believed as such (Perceived Obsolescence).
products, grouping furniture along with a range
of objects that vary in scale and function such as
small electronics, household objects, etc. Because Planned Obsolescence—
of this, it is necessary to determine the product’s ... is an overarching term used to describe the
function, purpose, and expected lifespan. “There is intentional physical deterioration of a product in an
little point in designing physical durability into con- uneconomically short timeline in order to have the
sumer goods if consumers have no desire to keep consumer replace the product quicker, as it is no
them.” 18 In addition to desire, product function has longer usable.
to do with practicality. Not all products should
be made of durable materials, especially if those Technological Obsolescence—
materials require more resources to make and will ... acknowledges the limits to the operational
quickly end up in a landfill.19 capabilities of products where advancements and
Depending on the product function, one of innovations in technology have rendered the exist-
three product lifetime strategies can be applied: ing product outdated or less appealing due to its
end of life, transitional, or longevity. 20 End-of-life older mechanical makeup.
strategies apply to one-time use products, such as
used medical supplies or packaging, which require Perceived Obsolescence—
quick and safe disposal. A transitional strategy ... describes the aesthetics of the product as it
for items that require large amounts of energy or relates to changing trends. This occurs when man-
resources during use but are subject to technolog- ufacturers make slight changes to the superficial
ical innovation, such as computers and small elec- appearance of the product in order to create new
tronics should be considered. One such strategy demand in the marketplace. The original product is
is design for disassembly, which allows for com- still functional, but it is seen as unusable due to the
ponent re-use within a product's life cycle. Finally, product’s unfashionable appearance.
20
Ease of �aintenance & Repair
The American architect, Louis Sullivan, coined exposed hardware and fasteners, provide a window
the phrase “Form Follows Function” in his 1896 essay into this creation process. This visibility of con-
The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered, struction techniques allows the user to evaluate
meaning that the form an object takes should be the needed steps towards maintenance and repair
directly based on its intended purpose and func- of the item, and can ultimately serve as a support-
tion. 22 This idea implies that the forms should be ive aid in furniture longevity.
simple, intuitive, and not obscured by superfluous Regular and easy maintenance also has the
decoration so that their function is clear. To under- potential to promote a tactile and active engage-
stand this, it is useful to evaluate the utility aspect ment between the furniture item and its owner, and
of furniture based on three elements. 23 for this activity to develop into ritual. Ritual, through
repetitive and sequential action, such as applying
Function conditioner to a leather surface to avoid the skin
What is its intended purpose? from drying out, can work in the piece’s favor, as
certain physical features can slowly reveal them-
Performance selves over the course of the furniture’s life, adding
How well does it function? visual interest and value. 26
Patina, or the notion of “desirable aging” as
Usability Jonathan Chapman, professor of Sustainable
How easy is it for the user to Design at the University of Brighton, refers to it, is a
understand how to operate it? significant example of the transformative qualities
of surface materials. Patina celebrates the age and
The majority of consumers tend to be removed wear, and lends support to the overall narrative and
from the furniture making process and commonly life of the piece. “When ageing is embraced in this
have a passive relationship with the pieces they way, we can see that the transformative nuance of
own. The first opportunity at establishing an inter- decay can be utilized by designers to great effect,
action or active relationship with new furniture can ensuring that products are free to age and evolve
be designed into the piece by requiring the user, or gently through the course of time, rather than fall-
even multiple users, to set up some aspect of the ing ruthlessly out of favour the moment their glossy
piece, a process the Okala Practitioner likens to facades of newness begin to peel away.” 27
the shared activity of barn raising. 24 Finally, the service aspect, as it relates to the
“Our lack of involvement in the design and ease of repair, is frequently overlooked in the pro-
making of objects, and our consequent gap in cess of designing furniture. “The supreme moment
understanding, undoubtedly affects how we value of transfer should not be the finale of development
them.” 25 If consumers were involved in their fur- processes, but just the first stage. So, besides
niture’s creation, they would have a better under- reckoning with discarding and recycling, product
standing about its materials and inner workings. design includes setting up or adapting relevant
Thus, they would know how to maintain and fix it, services: cleaning, repairing, upgrading, transport,
if needed. While it is unrealistic in most cases to spare parts, information desks and, in some cases,
be involved in this process, clear and visible con- even facilities to support shared use.” 28
struction methods, in the form of quality joinery or
21
Aesthetic Appeal
Aesthetics are a set of philosophical princi- Historical notions of beauty have dealt with
ples that focus on observable visual features, the the purely physical nature of objects. The Italian
expression of beauty, and its mental and emotional Renaissance humanist, Alberti described beauty
affect on a viewer. Aesthetics encompasses the as, “that reasoned harmony of all the parts within
physical and non-physical aspects of an object; a body, so that nothing may be added, taken away,
and its appeal to our innate biological sensibili- or altered, but for the worse.” 31 Ideas surrounding
ties as, “there appears to be a need for propor- beauty have evolved to embody the cerebral realm.
tion, texture, and shapes that are pleasing to the As American philosopher John Dewey expressed,
eye for mental health.” 29 Additionally, aesthetics is “beauty is a result of the interaction between an
connected to our sense of value, and the emotions individual and an environment rather than being an
involved in our mental processing of the object. innate property of some object, place or view.” 32
Until recently, aesthetics was predominantly “If we want the sustainable design movement to be
excluded from the discussion of sustainable design. successful then we must accept that appearances
The focus was placed on performance, environmen- do matter to people.” 33 Appearances have the abil-
tal impacts, and largely unseen systems and parts ity to elicit broader emotional responses. Notions
that were considered large contributors to energy of beauty can evolve, so that we “can understand
use and resource depletion. By aligning itself with the beauty of an object in a different way. Beauty
a philosophy grounded in moderation and appropri- can be captured in the object through what it rep-
ateness, sustainable design, traditionally, implied a resents, and not simply through its appearance.” 34
directive to design with less, an unfortunate conse- Preservation, longevity, and maintenance
quence being a compromised aesthetic or, at the have direct connections to beauty. “It is critical to
very least, a tendency toward minimalism. remember that beautiful designs- whether they are
simple objects like a teapot or complex ones like
“In its efforts to reduce embodied energy a cathedral usually receive better care, and last
and material use, sustainable design longer than counterparts that have less aesthetic
tends to discourage ornamentation with- value.” 35 People take care of the things they value.
out direct function, and in this sense allies As time passes, and an object becomes separated
itself with �odernist thinking… Ample from its narrative, “as the utility and family sig-
beauty and ornamentation can often be nificance fades, it is often only the beauty of the
found through the expression of struc- object that keeps it cherished and passed on.” 36
ture, lighting and materiality and frivolous Additionally, beauty can contribute greatly to
decoration is not needed. It is better to positive feeling and sensory satisfaction towards
do without and build with the minimum objects. “Beauty, fun, and pleasure work in all
of materials than to apply meaningless together to produce enjoyment, a state of positive
ornamentation.” 30 affect.” 37 “Long-term value is impossible without
sensory appeal, because if design doesn’t inspire,
It is important to note, that while the sustain- it’s destined to be discarded.” 38
able aesthetic tends to align itself with �odernist “The aesthetics of a product can be very pow-
design principles, they are philosophically different, erful because they are a key factor in creating an
as a lot of the materials, production practices, and emotional tie with the object. Aesthetics can help
manufacturing techniques of that past era proved transform a product from an uninteresting and
inefficient, creating a heavy ecological burden, and unusable collection of functional components into
have left us with the consumption legacy we are a useful and attractive object that provides a mean-
fighting against. ingful benefit to people’s lives.” 39
22
Fostering Emotional Connection
The physical characteristics of furniture sup- Reflective Reactions,
port its durability and its aesthetic value, which ... by contrast, occur at the highest level of con-
influence how people establish emotional relation- sciousness and engage emotions and cognition
ships with objects. Our current level of understand- simultaneously. Reflective reactions employ inter-
ing on the psychological processes that govern pretation and are often long term. Self-identity is
subject-object interaction is in its infancy. Below expressed in the form of preference and cultural
are two simultaneously supportive and contradict- context.45
ing theories, which demonstrate, “the particular
manner in which we respond emotionally to the People come to objects with their own idiosyn-
made world is a work in progress.” 40 These the- crasies, personal meaning, and emotional histories
ories illustrate the complexity of the topic and the that cannot be anticipated by the designer. Design
difficulty of giving language to that which is pro- for longevity is not just about the object, it is about
cessed instinctively and outside of consciousness. the user’s relationship to the object. The French
Dr. Gerald Cupchik, a psychology professor philosopher, Jacques Derrida theorized, “that
at the University of Toronto, describes object per- meaning cannot be found within the signifier itself,
ception and subject attachment as a two-step pro- but that it can only exist in a matrix and, therefore,
cess that can be understood as a simple equation: in relation to other things.” 46
Cognitive �eaning + Arousal = Emotion Literature on emotional connection to objects
The equation starts firstly with the initial can be categorized by the following four themes:
impression of an object, secondly with the expe- DELIGHT, IDENTITY, NARRATIVE & �E�ORY,
rience derived from its use, and, ultimately, varying and CHERISHABILITY.
levels of emotional attachment to it.41
For the behavioral scientist Donald Norman,
“Emotions are inseparable from and a necessary DELIGHT
part of cognition. Everything we do, everything “We become attached to things if they have
we think is tinged with emotion, much of it sub- a significant personal association, if they bring to
conscious.” 42 He posits that there are three reca- mind pleasant, comforting moments.” 47 Delight has
tions people experience when they interact with connections to the earlier discussion of beauty and
or perceive designed objects: Visceral Reactions, sensory pleasure. However, delight also encom-
Behavioral Reactions, and Reflective Reactions. A passes the needed aspect of fun as it relates to
brief summary of each follows: user interaction with objects. This concept is sig-
nificant and has its roots in early design princi-
Visceral Reactions ples. In Sir Wooten’s 1624 translation of Ancient
... are immediate, unconscious, and a response to Roman architect, Vitruvius’ de Architectura, he
appearance and tactile qualities. “Visceral design credits the architect with saying that a proper
is all about immediate emotional impact. It has to building has three conditions: firmness, commod-
feel good, look good.” 43 ity and delight.48 While the literature tends to look
at delight as an immediate response, it fails to
Behavioral Reactions encompass the entire scope of the concept, which
... also occur in the present and are purely about can result in both short- and long-term interactions
use. What matters is “function, understandability, that align themselves with the other categories that
usability, and physical feel.” 44 emotional connection touches on.
23
IDENTITY
Objects can be used to express the identity of in the space, can also aid in its ability to endure.52
their owners. Customization of certain decorative Furthermore, narrative can provide a connection
features, such as color and pattern, are a direct into the design intent of a piece, drawing connec-
reflection of preference and taste. Additionally, the tions between the designer and the user. Finally,
often, cost prohibitive nature of certain luxury goods, it is what professor Jonathan Chapman refers to
high quality pieces, or rare items can also connote as the enduring narrative that allows for a devel-
social standing and status. However, meaning is opmental relationship between owner and object.53
only triggered at this superficial level if the object This can be a realized form of ritual, familiarity, and
aligns with the user’s perception of self.49 A deeper ultimately nostalgia.
sense of ownership and meaning occurs when the
subject of identity assumes a culturally specific CHERISHABILITY
context. Then, the object can represent historical According to the Design and Emotion Society:
lineage, and perhaps serve as an heirloom passed “The concept of experience, where the subject and
down from generation within families. object meet and merge with one another, is a key
issue in designing emotionally meaningful products.
NARRATIVE & �E�ORY This is because experience is a space in which all
“Special objects are those that make sto- faculties, especially emotions, are activated.” 54
ries.” 50 The narrative of the piece serves to con- When objects such as furniture reach the stage of
vey, “the history of interaction, the associations cherishability in an owner’s mind, it can compen-
that people have with the objects, and the mem- sate for any physical deficiencies. 55 The notion of
ories they evoke.” 51 For furniture, even the location cherishability put forth by Chapman, implies a care,
it occupies within a room, can become associated and bond, that ultimately will allow the object to
with the greater architectural context, or the views stay in use.56
it frames. Its potential to be thought of as a fixture
24
Acknowledging Limitations of the Discussion
In addition to the described discussions, there product design, development and production that
exists concern with the pursuit of product lon- is unequivocally unsustainable.” 57 Instead, Walker
gevity. Professor Stuart Walker speaks to this suggests we should be designing with humility that
when he states, “One of the dangers of promot- reduces environmental burden in production, use,
ing product longevity is that it could simply pro- and disposal.
long an unsustainable system while simultaneously In addition to this practical limitation, it is nec-
adversely affecting employment opportunities. In essary to highlight that emotional attachment is
many cases, to promote product longevity from hard to define and is often contradictory. Does it
our current standpoint would be ill conceived and take away from the ephemeral nature of long term
premature. From where we are now, if we produce interaction between owner and object by attempt-
long-lasting products they will be products con- ing to give language to it? Joseph Campbell has
ceived by a mindset that is still steeped in, and said, “If we give that mystery an exact meaning, we
only just emerging from, a century or more of diminish the experience of real depth.” 58
25
The Role of Delight
in Furniture Longevity
Chapter 3 —
Conversations
26
Conversations
Overview
27
ON PRI�ACY IN FOR� �ike
& ABSTRACT VALUE DeSantis
I don’t represent a style really. To do my job well, is to understand �ike DeSantis is a New York-
what someone else will like. You quickly learn in the antique business based furniture picker, as well as a
wholesale antiques dealer.
that the more you know, the more you’ll make. Since it is a business,
you try to educate yourself. So, as a picker, I don’t have to make the
decision as to which is better, I just have to know what it should sell
for, and who is going to buy it.
I have seen most of this [furniture] a million times and I have han-
dled it a million times, so I am drawn to things that are more unusual,
but that stuff doesn’t sell as well. I mean, you will sell a Nelson dresser
a hundred times before you will sell something hand made, that is one
of a kind. The piece has to be aesthetically pleasing, because that is
what is going to sell it, but my decisions are financial.
(1) �
(2) �
28
aesthetically and what wasn’t. You have statements from people like,
ornament is sin. They were very serious about where they were com-
ing from. They were almost humorless. And I think people tire of that.
They don’t want to come home to that.
I think what will happen is what happened with Deco furniture
and with �ission furniture. You know people who were into it before it
became trendy and are really connoisseurs, collectors, and historians;
they will still be into it. But, they are not really buying a volume of stuff.
They are looking for that one rare early example.
In terms of there being the sort of very omnipresent style, I am
sure it will change. It always does. If it is simple, it is direct, and if it is
well made, it tends to stand up. There are things that were designed in
1920 that look modern. I think most of those pieces don’t look dated,
antiquated, or just inappropriate. �ost of those pieces are very sim-
ple, and straightforward. Even some of the earlier stuff that came out
of the Bauhaus, that stuff, to me, is amazing. When you look at the
date that is associated with some of that stuff, it looks like something
that just got designed and got put into Conran’s today.
I think there is a very clear heritage that really started, to my
knowledge, with the Arts & Crafts movement, which was basically a
back-to-earth, build-your-own thing; or buy locally-made, handmade
things. There was that Charles Eames furniture, which is plastic and
pressed in a mold, as opposed to the studio movement out of New
Hope, Pennsylvania, which was like George Nakashima and Phillip
Lloyd Powell.
(3) � (4) �
29
ON NEEDED FOR� Kevin
& DESIGN INTENT Landers
�y process for selecting furniture pieces that have value is purely Kevin Landers is a New York-based
visual. I like the academic furniture sometimes, designed by Charlotte artist and picker. He buys primarily
�idcentury �odern furniture.
Perriand or Jean Prouvé, part of the industrial French school, also His clients are antique and vintage
furniture by Eames, Saarinen, and Nelson. furniture dealers in New York.
(5) � (6) �
(7) �
(9) � (10) �
31
ON FUNCTIONALITY, Larry
ICONS, & NARRATIVE Weinberg
This interview took place at the Weinberg �odern showroom. Larry Weinberg is a furniture curator,
The interview was unique in that the furniture discussed was collector, and dealer. He also writes
about design and design history for
present to look at and handle. There is a tangible quality to print-based and digital readerships.
the interview, literally and figuratively, because the concepts
spoken about were illustrated by the interviewee through the
physical pieces.
Well look, with furniture, it has to work. You can’t escape that,
because you have to sell it. A chair has to work as a chair. Objects are
different. They are satisfying more purely aesthetic and psychological
needs. You can, look for that in a chair, but you still do have to sit in it.
I try not to handle things that people cannot actually use, unless it is
being sold as a piece of sculpture.
We hope, anyway, that with hindsight, we are able to pick things
that were good, from the different periods. It is not always the case.
Sometimes, certain things get so expensive that people just don’t
show it, and it reserves itself in a vacuum, but that generally sorts
itself out over time.
For example, right now, because Paul Evans’ furniture prices have
gone through the roof, Adrian Pearsall’s pieces are getting thrust into
view. His stuff—some of it was nice, but some of it is pretty derivative
of Evans and Vladimir Kagan. But because his [work] is available, you
see [the website] 1st Dibs filling up with Adrian Pearsall. It has to do
with price points and availability, yes. Ironically, a lot of this stuff was
intended to be affordable at the time, and has only now become less
affordable due to market forces, which of course include supply.
(11) � (12) �
11. Coffee Table,
When you look back, your eye has some literacy. You can look at Adrian Pearsall.
a certain piece and think, ‘They look like they are from the late 50s, the
60s, the 70s, but it’s kind of hard to tell. You can pop them into an inte-
rior now and they will look great. So, that to me is what timelessness
is. You can see it apprehended in a piece because it is hard to locate
its original design-time and it still remains fresh.
Iconic is what the literature calls iconic: by acclimation. Ideally,
there shouldn’t be much of a difference [between timeless pieces and
12. Coffee Table,
Vladimir Kagan.
32
icons]. Things should work for all the right reasons: it has a sculptural
quality; it’s comfortable. Iconic would be a subset of timeless. And to
achieve iconic status, you have to have a lot—including the historical
component.
(13) �
This is just a modern wing chair. You have the ears coming around
[points to top of the Egg chair]. That form in the 18th, even the late
17th century, did that. But it also kept you warm. It helped keep the
breezes off of you when you pulled it up to the fireplace, and created
a whole environment. This is a modern take on that. It is iconic; and it
is timeless; and it is also comfortable. So can you get to that status
without all of those things? Probably not. And, it’s still in production.
There is no way for it to have stayed in production—and to have sold
in the numbers it sold in—without it being a really comfortable chair.
That has everything to do with the shape of it. It is exactly right.
Value attribution is multi-tiered. If it is something that exists in 13. Egg Chair,
numbers, then it has to fit into a continuum. Other things we do—as Arne Jacobsen.
a dealer that’s been around for a while—is look for unusual pieces,
even to the point of them being one-offs; we do it because it’s fun and
it separates us from other people. Then, the pricing becomes a bit
more nebulous. I mean, how does art get priced? If there are no other
examples, such as this [table], how do I price this?
(14) �
(15) �
In terms of reissues, what you are recycling is the look, the his-
tory, the emotion, and the design, but not the thing or the material.
Like what [furniture company] Guéridon has done for [ceramic art-
ist Roger] Capron and working with the [Serge] �ouille estate. We
aren’t going to save the world by making more �ouille [reproduction] 15. Applique Simple a Deux Bras,
lighting. There’s very little of it; the originals are in the 100,000 dollar Serge Mouille.
range, and it is clearly only for a few very wealthy people.
People are buying stuff left and right from [mass market furniture
33
retailer] Design Within Reach. So what they are doing certainly has
an impact on sustainability, the materials they are sourcing, what their
production methods are. In order for Design Within Reach or [furniture
retailer] �odernica to re-issue something, to gear up a factory pro-
duction of it, they have to be pretty sure they are going to sell an awful
lot of them. So, they are going to try to pick pieces that are iconic or
straightforward—pieces that are instantly recognizable to a general
public. They are re-issuing and recycling the designs, and how they do
it will have some impact. They are selling more furniture than I am.
There are ways to separate how a dealer, like myself, would handle
certain production pieces. For example, I don’t look for many Eames
chairs anymore. There are a gazillion of them out there. However, this
[points to Eames rocker chair] is from the first six months of the pro-
duction line, in 1951. It is like the very first edition of a book, which
obviously has a lot more value than the third, or the tenth edition.
(16) � � �
So what someone like myself looks for is this zinc base [turns
over the chair]. This is the way Eames designed it for the chair. This
is what [Charles Eames] wanted to see. It didn’t work; it broke. You
can see where it has been re-welded. So after about six months of
them breaking when people sat in them, he changed the configuration
of the fretwork. That part [of the metal base] doesn’t come through
anymore, and there is a bar that comes across over there. He had to
re-think it and re-engineer it. This is what he wanted it to look like—
there’s a difference. The shell, the original zenith shell made out in
California before Herman �iller took over the production—[you can
see] a ton more fiberglass in the matrix, which is what Eames wanted.
Herman �iller shifted to more opaque plastics with less fiberglass
because it was cheaper. Then, there was a rope handset into the
back to give it a soft, rounded edge. So when Herman Miller put it into
production, it was taken out.
Here is a piece that I am pleased to handle, where I would pass
on almost any other iteration because it has been done to death.
For me, the interest is in creating a narrative: finding the pieces
where there is a backstory you have to tell, that people don’t know.
That’s what’s fun. Ultimately, there is a lot of substitutability about
what you can put in your space. So depending on what you want
around you, it becomes an aesthetic and emotional decision.
34
ON ADAPTABILITY Combo
& RE-USE Colab
We are motivated by the active engagement between people � Carolina Cisneros & �atteo Pinto
and their surrounding environment. Our work displays our interest in are Combo Colab, an interdisciplinary
practice focusing on the design and
repurposing and recycling existing resources. building of products of varying scales.
(17) � �
We got into this by experimenting with our own projects and real-
izing that some designs could become products for sale. The type of
furniture we design can be described as a kind of readymade, and a
repurposing of objects that result in modular pieces, that can be com-
bined to create different configurations. We design for people that are
not only driven by the mere beauty of an object, but are influenced by
the use and function of it.
(18) �
(19) �
35
ON JOINERY & CONNECTION Alan
TO THE ARTISAN’S HAND Stover
Timelessness is the amount of soul in a piece of furniture. The Al Stover is the owner of Soho
soul comes from the amount of time that anyone has worked on a Furniture Services, a
historical wood and metal refinishing
particular piece with their hands. The more handwork you see on a and restoration workshop.
piece, the more of an emotional response you get. There is this tran-
scendence from the craftsman that flows into the person [furniture
owner]; it represents a natural bond. The response is different when
you have a machined, or over engineered piece. It strikes you on an
intellectual level, or maybe on a “wow” level, but it doesn’t strike your
soul like handwork does. That is why people respond to really old
vintage things, because they have developed the patinas and a feeling
that can’t really be duplicated any other way.
�ost of the response to form comes from something that appears
very geometric in terms of edges, profiles, planes, but when you really
dissect it, feel it, and touch it, there is a softness and a subtleness
that pushes through. You want to look at something as a shape, even
when it’s handmade. It is the imperfections [in form], the slight ones
that you don’t even know, that make it feel human, and that bring out
the [emotional] response. I consider Gaetano Pesce’s work this great
bridge in terms of �odernism versus that old organic aesthetic. And
that is why I still love it to this day. I love new materials. I love modern
materials. But, again, it’s always trying to make them feel organic.
(20) �
36
they were genuine.” Because of budget, that’s not always attainable,
but that’s what you are aiming for. You are always trying to keep the
respect of the artisan before you, and try to keep those traditions
moving forward.
When possible, I want to keep the pieces as true to their original
forms and contents. If I apply one or two joints that might not be origi-
nal, I want to make sure, that they are done in that style representative
of that period, so they will still look like they are supposed to be there.
I will do that so the assembly can be easier, but I won’t use screws
and nails. I’ll use wooden pegs, and take a style of peg from the piece
that I can use elsewhere [on it].
Joinery is a big indicator of value. Historically, furniture was meant
to be assembled and reassembled. There had to be phenomenal join-
ery that allowed it to do that and to be sturdy. In France and England,
in the 17th century, a royal family would move from the cold weather to
the warm weather, and they would have to take their furnishings with
them, so the pieces had to be made to accommodate that. Another
good example of this is the dovetail joints of Shaker furniture. It was
made to get hammered together; and the wood would expand to
tighten the joints.
(21) �
(22) �
37
ON NOBLE �ATERIALS �ark
& PATINA de la Vega
�y biggest design influence is early �odernism, which I attribute �ark De La Vega is the
to the 20s and 30s, Art Deco, and the Parisian movement. They were owner and proprietor of DLV Designs,
a contemporary furniture company.
considered the masters of proportion. I consider Jean Michel Frank
the biggest Modernist designer. He was the first guy to put a sofa in a
giant room with a giant fireplace, and that was it. [Also an influence is]
Adolf Loos, from Austria, who is the ‘decoration is dead’ guy—what
he meant was that decoration should serve a purpose.
(23) �
(24) � (25) �
38
extras are just so good. We are trying to educate. We are trying to
elevate what we do. So we hold ourselves to a high standard—we
want to make a good product.
(26) �
(27) �
39
slowly. If you didn’t do this, it won’t have the time to age and wear out
gracefully. You aren’t going to earn it. �aybe that’s where your hand
ends up resting, and that’s where it will tarnish eventually. We don’t
tell people about that.
We ask people how they live their life, how they would interact
with this piece of furniture. That goes into consideration in how we
treat the piece. They don’t need to know everything. Sometimes, it’s
too much to tell them.
40
ON APPROPRIATE �ichele
�ATERIALS & PRESENCE Glick-Guarneri
Fortunately, we are always doing restoration work. There is some �ichele Glick-Guarneri is the co-
work that leans towards more historic restorations, like Old English owner of �HG Studio, a leather crafts
shop specializing in architectural
libraries, while other clients want pieces that are very sparse and leatherwork and restoration.
modern. I think, like with everything, tastes come and go. It is kind of
like a pendulum; it will swing towards one direction and then people
will get tired of the sparseness and want something richer. Then it will
swing back.
Right now, [stylistically], I think, we see mostly �odern furniture
from the 30s and the 40s come through the workroom. There is not
a lot of fuss to these pieces, nothing classical, nothing that is overly
carved, just very straightforward lines. In the last ten years, we have
been getting a lot of Jacques Adnet stitched objects to repair or to
rework.
The popularity of Adnet pieces is taste driven, but it is also due
to availability. Designers were starting to collect his work and dealers
were starting to show it more. It is valuable. People are interested in
that, especially here in New York.
(28) �
41
instance, it doesn’t even feel human. It feels hospital-like. That is the
appeal of using a material like leather. It is a skin and comes from an
animal to begin with, and then you have something that has been used
over a period of time and it shows that, it was loved by somebody else.
It puts a human touch to it.
I guess it also comes from how the items were treated, and who
had them beforehand. When you go to someone’s grandmother’s
home, and everything has plastic over it, the items were cared for.
They lived through the depression era, they had a different idea
towards their furniture. They took care of their items. Everything they
had was special. Even if it is not from your own family, you can tell
when something’s been loved or cared for. Otherwise, there’s a look to
it that you are drawn to or a quality. Or it’s a certain quality, whether
it’s the style, how it’s put together, sometimes you just see some-
thing and say, well isn’t that clever, how they joined the arm? It has
a dynamic look to it. Nobody would throw this away, or if they did,
someone would pick it out of the garbage. It is just a piece of furniture
that you are not going to discard.
That’s the furniture you have today. If it comes from a long life of
being cared for, why shouldn’t it live on?
�y idea of iconic furniture is what’s been taught to me as being
iconic. You know, [Jacques Emile] Ruhlmann pieces. Pieces made by
designers or designs that were really coveted or held in high regard.
(29) �
But then, sometimes you have an item that comes in that you have
a gut reaction to. You know, you just love it, or it’s just not for you.
That is iconic.
There are definitely designs that I think will just not go out of
style. It’s when a piece just has a look, that just works. I don’t know
how else to describe it, except to say, that it just works.
I think with, like a lot of things today, there just does not seem to 29. Cabinet,
be anything new. Everything seems to grow out of something in the Jacques Emile Ruhlmann.
past. I think there’s a reason why you see the same thing over and
over because when it was made, it was made well. There was a lot
of things that had really good style and good design, and you see the
same motifs sort of being used over and over, maybe it will change a
little bit, but I think because of its quality, people want that.
That’s what I mean, when I say that a piece just works. There’s
something about �id-Century �odern furniture. It does just work. It
doesn’t fight its atmosphere or other pieces in the room. It just has a
classic look. It’s not really going to go out of style. You can put furni-
ture from other eras with it, and it will somehow jive.
I define timelessness as something that is made well. It has a
presence. If it has a nice mixture of three things: the craftsmanship,
materials, and design style, little else matters.
42
ON CONTOUR Douglas
& SENSUALITY Roach
A go-to period of the moment is certainly �id-century �odern, Douglas Roach is the design director
both American and European-made primarily. Names and manufactur- of a firm specializing in high-end
residential interiors. His client base is
ers that have become commonplace in my searches are names like primarily New York City-based.
Robsjohn-Gibbings, Edward Wormley, Dunbar, Buffa, Parisi, Baughman,
�aison Jansen, Paul Evans, Philip Lloyd Powell, Saarinen, etc. Popular
materials [of the period] mostly consist of rich woods: walnut and rose-
wood, leathers, metals—bronze, brass, chrome—and glass.
I feel the success and popularity of most of these pieces are
based on the fact that they can be chameleons in any style interior- a
simple parson’s leg dining table will not look out of place in any style.
It really is the simplicity that allows them to support the surrounding
furnishings and not distract from the overall feel of the room.
(30) �
30. Parsons Dining Table,
I think the element of sensuality is what makes a piece seem �ilo Baughman.
timeless and allows the end user to connect on an emotional level
to a piece of furniture. This can be achieved through a careful use of
wood grain, the shape of a leg or foot, the rake of the back of a chair,
the attention to the tactile parts, such as hardware, handles, pulls,
etc. A Klismos chair is the perfect example of a piece that is rooted in
ancient history, and still is relevant today. It can be inserted into any
interior and the elegance of the leg, curved back, and lightness of the
frame allow it to hold its own.
(31) �
31. Klismos Chair,
The word iconic, to me, means ‘game-changer’. A lot of furniture T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings.
is described as important, which usually is attributed to its rarity, or
unique qualities, very different than an icon. An icon had a big splash
when it was first introduced to the market and continues to be rele-
vant through today. A perfect example is a Saarinen table. It was a
revolutionary and futuristic design when it was introduced to the mar-
ket, and it still is recognizable and usable in any interior to this day.
(32) �
32. Tulip Table,
In determining / evaluating quality and condition, factors like Eero Saarinen.
material selection, veneer, joinery, hardware, leg details, weight, and
43
patina are all important. Too many pieces are over-restored and pol-
ished by many dealers. I prefer a piece to have character and a sense
of history. That ‘new car smell’ is usually a turn-off for me.
Quality is a must, but doesn’t always mean value. I would cat-
egorize some �id-century pieces as lower-quality by most industry
standards, but that doesn’t affect their value. Paul Evans’ popular
cityscape pieces are a perfect example of this: while the veneers are
complex and interesting, the integral workings of the pieces are a total
afterthought.
(33) �
44
ON SCALE, FA�ILIARITY Jesse
& EXPOSURE Turek
When we see designers creating a variation of something, it is Jesse Turek is an Interior Designer
a good indicator that the original design is classic and timeless. For and owner of Kerut home, an
online home accessories store of
instance, the Klismos chair is gorgeous as-is, but over time it has been vintage and found objects.
re-invented. Scale plays a very large part in classic design. Scale is a
scientific formula that makes something aesthetically-pleasing. This is
what we call the Golden �ean.
Classic forms are usually not over-designed or over-embellished.
They are typically clean-lined. Classic forms are tied to iconic pieces.
In the more traditional design world, Louis XVI furniture is considered
timeless, while in more transitional design circles, furniture designed
by Arturo Pani and Josef Frank is timeless. While in modern design,
furniture from Scandinavia, the Art Deco period, and designers such as
Ward Bennett and Philippe Starke can be considered timeless. In my 34. Coffee Table,
opinion, the most classic pieces came out of the Bauhaus movement. Arturo Pani.
45
about anywhere. Designs by �ies Van Der Rohe, T.H. Robsjohn-
Gibbings, �arcel Breuer and Charles & Ray Eames are extremely
relevant today. �id-Century has been popular for a while, and is still
popular amongst a younger generation.
(37) � (38) �
46
ON �ID-CENTURY
Gordon
DESIGN: NOSTALGIA, EASE,
Frey
& SIMPLICITY
Gordon was approached with the initial idea of a thesis Gordon Frey is a furniture historian and
focused on �id-Century �odern furniture. We spoke in his professor of the history of furniture
design and decorative objects.
office about its current popularity given the historical context
that surrounded its conception.
And there’s not just one thing. You see all kinds of different things:
there’s a handicraft element, and there’s a historicism, to name a few.
One of the pivotal events for me is the 1964 World’s Fair in New York
because then everything gets really curvy and jazzy, and you get a lot
more color.
41. Lounge and Ottoman,
Charles & Ray Eames.
47
If you remember in the 19th century, there’s this whole multiplicity
of styles. The same thing is happening in the midcentury. Everyone is
doing their own thing, if you will, so there were all kinds of materials
and techniques used.
There were lots of beautiful woods: Eames used a lot of rose-
wood. There were also all these plastics. The Tulip chair from 1955 is
an example, which is just injected plastic. Then, there was foam that
was being introduced by Arne Jacobsen. The Egg chair and the Swan
chair, both iconic pieces, were essentially armatures on a stand with
foam.
(42) � (43) �
42. Swan Chair,
Certainly one of the popular techniques of the period is bentwood, Arne Jacobsen.
and that’s a very old technique. The Greeks were bending wood. You
see this in Thonet furniture, which is Viennese from the mid-1800s.
And Ray Eames was experimenting with bentwood in the 40s.
(44) �
48
13.
Egg Chair
Conversation Images, Arne Jacobsen
Denmark, c. 1958
Information & Sources Source, Weinberg �odern
14.
Cocktail Table
Alfred Bush
United States, c. 1960
Source, Weinberg �odern
1. 7. 15.
Teak Dresser �ohagany Console RAR Rocking Chair
George Nelson Harvey Probber Charles & Ray Eames
United States, c. 1960s United States, c. 1950 United States, 1949
Source, Just in Modern Source, Todd �errill Antiques Source, Weinberg �odern
3. 9. 17.
Walnut & Hickory Bench Gamble House (Int.) Trucka Floats
George Nakashima Greene & Greene Architects Combo Colab
United States, c. 1960s United States, c. 1908 United States, 2012
Source, Cottone Auctions Source, Vince �ichael Source, Combo Colab
4. 10. 18.
Lounge Chair & Ottoman Poppy Side Table �allterations
Phillip Lloyd Powell Gustav Stickley Combo Colab
United States, c. 1960s United States, c. 1900 United States, 2010
Source, Todd Merrill Source, Stickley Source, Combo Colab
5. 11. 19.
Cité Universitaire (Int.) 893 TGO Coffee Table Xstool
Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand Adrian Pearsall Combo Colab
France, 1931 United States, 1962 United States, 2012
Source, Rudy / Godinez Source, 1st Dibs Source, Combo Colab
6. 12. 20.
Academic Desk Coffee Table Lady Chair & Ottoman
Jean Prouvé Vladimir Kagan Gaetano Pesce
France, 1946 United States, c. 1950s Italy, 1969
Source, V.S. School �useum Source, 1st Dibs Source, iCollector
49
21. 29. 37.
Shaker Blanket Chest Cabinet Occasional Table
Unattributed Jacques Emile Ruhlmann T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
United States, 19th Cent. France, 1925 United Kingdom, 1950
Source, Stephan Woodworking Source, Art Finding Source, 1st Dibs
50
The Role of Delight
in Furniture Longevity
Chapter 4 —
Timeless Forms in
Furniture (According to
Ten Individuals)
At the close of each Conversation (Ch. 3), each of the ten sub-
jects was asked to name three pieces of furniture whose forms they
consider timeless. The 30-item sampling seeks to provide provisional
insight into shared formal traits that might then provide a basis for
evaluating timelessness and thus longevity.
51
1
52
4
53
7
54
10
11
12
55
13
14 15
16
56
17
18
19
57
20
21
22
58
23
24
25
59
26
27
60
28
29
30
61
Timeless Forms, Information & Sources
1. – 3. 10. 17.
Klismos Chair Papa Bear Chair Shaker Rocking Chair
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Hans Wegner Unattributed
Various, 1937–61 Denmark, c. 1950s United States, c. 1920
Source, 1st Dibs Source, Not On the High St. Source, Taschen
5. 12. 19.
DAR Side Chair Egg Chair Stacking Tables
Charles & Ray Eames Arne Jacobsen �arcel Breuer
United States, 1948 Denmark, 1958 Germany, 1928
Source, Taschen Source, Weinberg �odern Source, Nest
6. 13. 20.
RAR Rocking Chair Tuxedo Sofa Walnut Slab Table
Charles & Ray Eames Edward Wormley BDDW
United States, 1949 United States, c. 1950s United States, c. 2010
Source, Taschen Source, 1st Dibs Source, BDDW
7. 14. 21.
Dunbar Slipper Chair C
lub Chair LC6 Dining Table
Edward Wormley Jean �ichel Frank Le Courbusier
United States, c. 1950s French, c. 1940s France, 1928
Source, 1st Dibs Source, Taschen Source, Life Interiors
8. 15. 22.
Barcelona Chair Slipper Chair Conoid Dining Table
�ies Van Der Rohe Billy Baldwin George Nakashima
Germany, 1929 United States, c. 1950s United States, 1967
Source, 1st Dibs Source, Carlyle Sofas Source, iCollector
9. 16. 23.
Slipper Chair Sofa No. 03 Curule Stool
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Jean �ichel Frank Unattributed
United Kingdom, c. 1940s French, c. 1930 Unknown, c. 1950s
Source, Weinberg �odern Source, Taschen Source, 1st Dibs
62
24.
�asai Footstool
Unattributed
Africa, Unknown
Source, Design Sponge
25.
Bench
Unattributed
Italian, c. 1940s
Source, �ike DeSantis
26.
Tripod Bubble Lamp
George Nelson
United States, 1947
Source, Treadway Gallery
27.
Tulip Table
Eero Saarinen
United States, 1958
Source, Wright 20
28.
Pernila Chaise
Bruno �atthson
Sweden, 1936
Source, Art Value
29.
Adam et Eve
Constantin Brancusi
France, 1921
Source, The 189
30.
Casa Calvet Side Chair
Antoni Gaudi
Spain, 1898
Source, Taschen
63
The Role of Delight
in Furniture Longevity
Chapter 5 —
Synthesis: Insights
64
Insights
Prior to conducting the primary research, the expectation was that, depending on the speaker’s profes-
sion, focus would be given by them to certain elements surrounding the design and / or sale of furniture—
such as materials, design intent, or economic value—and that hierarchy would remain consistent among
occupations. While the number of participants is not large enough to make broad generalizations, what
these conversations revealed is the highly personal nature of this inquiry: each person spoke about what
they prioritized, which was not consistent across professions. Their responses were informed by their own
preferences, knowledge, and experience.
65
Overview
Discussions on the second-hand antique and vintage marketplace confirmed the dominance of the
�odernist style (from the 20th Century). While the popularity of the �id-Century �odern style (roughly
1946-1965) was touched on in those conversations, it was not given as much prominence as originally
expected. �id-Century �odern furniture was spoken about more as a trend and a result of supply—that is,
a considerable amount of the furniture from earlier periods has already been collected. Also, much of the
furniture made during those years was mass-produced, resulting in a greater number of pieces in circula-
tion. There are, however, features intrinsic to �id-Century furniture forms that contribute to their popular-
ity. Several of the interviewees drew connections to the similarly �odern forms in 20th Century Swedish
designs, the Shaker design movement, and earlier primitive forms, highlighting the historical roots in the
aesthetic appeal of furniture design.
Furthermore, several conversations included a comparative discussion of iconic furniture versus time-
less furniture. A furniture icon can be understood as something that is representative of a specific era, time
period, or design movement, and is highly recognizable. A few furniture pieces picked by the subjects for
Ch. 4: Timeless Forms in Furniture are iconic pieces—such as Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair, Eames’ Shell
Chairs, and Eero Saarinen’s Tulip Table. Their inclusion illustrates that certain iconic furniture pieces can go
on to be considered timeless, which is generally understood as its form being rendered visually neutral to
specific time periods, thus allowing that piece to exist adjacent to pieces designed in a period different from
its own. This broadens the definition of iconic to be understood as a subset of timeless, rather than separate
from it. Evaluating timeless furniture forms is grounded in the idea that if the design is considered timeless,
the furniture piece has a greater chance at longevity among a single user or multiple users.
SI�PLICITY
When speaking about timeless forms, several subjects viewed simplicity and absence-of-ornament as
great contributors to their timelessness. The phrase ‘absence of ornament’ can be attributed to Austrian
architect Adolf Loos’ 1910 essay Ornament and Crime, in which he posits ornamentation as something
of the past; a thing that does not bring value to the modern world. He states: “To me, and to all the culti-
vated people, ornament does not increase the pleasures of life.” 59 Additionally, interviewees referenced the
importance of construction techniques in contributing to the value of furniture, and to ensuring its enduring
functionality. The simplicity in the form due to their absence of ornament allows the construction techniques,
such as a dovetail joint to receive visual attention, creating a connection between the craftsman and the user.
HISTORICAL PRECEDENTS
A number of interviewees touched on the role of history in timeless forms. The Klismos chair was
named by three individuals as a timeless furniture piece; one that closely references the original Ancient
Greek chair form. Similarly, Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair, Hans Wegner’s Papa Bear Chair, and the Austral
Group’s Butterfly Chair share a common furniture form precedent: the wing chair—whose high back and
wings were meant to shield the sitter from cold drafts and other unpleasant elements.
66
towards more curvilinear and anthropomorphic shapes: the rake of a leg, the slight indentation of a chair
seat, and rounded chair backs to mold to the human form. Additionally, many of the pieces chosen are of
a modest scale, able to be picked up by a single user, and can be transported with ease, which can aid in
their adaptability to exist in multiple scenarios. Finally, several furniture pieces included in the visuals of the
previous chapter employ materials with sincerity, meaning there is a clear visibility about what materials the
furniture is made of. Put simply, a wooden chair looks like it is made of wood.
Presence Appropriate
Ease Emotional
Comfort Humor
Human-like Graceful
Familiarity 67 Simplicity
DELIGHT
The term ‘Delight’ is appropriate to give definition to this intangible element. While the word delight
was never used directly in the conversations, the pleasurable and gratifying emotions experienced as a
response to one of the physical factors: form, function, construction, and materials is clear. Delight is ref-
erenced as a necessary component of good design, as early as the days of Vitruvius,60 and is fitting for use
in this exploration.
The existing literature primarily speaks about delight in terms of an immediate sensory response, but
does not recognize its entire scope. Delight characterizes the emotional connection between owner and
furniture, in the present and long-term. Delight is highly influential in furniture longevity as it can compen-
sate for any physical deficiencies in the piece,61 especially as the relationship between owner and furniture
develop over time. While delight possesses this unique and transcendent quality, it is still dependent upon
one of the other four elements, as delight is experienced only in reaction to them. Emotional connection
produces delight with positive associations surrounding identity, narrative, and meaning.
IDENTITY
With identity, immediate reactions include an expression of taste, preference, and social standing. The
long term aspect, in this case, is aspirational: furniture can represent a space, place, and feeling that one
aspires to create for themselves. This can endure even after this aspiration is attained in the form of mem-
ory, or as a representation of achievement.
NARRATIVE
Delight in the narrative draws connections to the acquired patina of furniture materials. Visible wear
and aging on the surface of objects hints at the long life of the furniture, the imbued experiences, and the
continuity through time or lineage between multiple owners, or even within a single family. Finally, delight in
the narrative aligns itself with function and construction by seeking out the connections to the designer and
/ or craftsperson’s intentions and skill.
“As a viewer and user of furniture we become aware of the fact that the form is, ‘an inevitable result
of conscious, human decisions.’ Designed objects are thus a channel of communication between
people quite as much as language, writing or the arts.” 62
�EANING
�eaning is supported by identity and narrative. It is user- and context-specific. Because of the complex
systems involved in meaningful experience, it is difficult to define. However, opportunities to encourage
meaning between furniture piece and owner can be derived through sustained direct or indirect physical and
/ or mental interaction.
The graphic on the following page distills the common themes extracted from the literature review and
conversations to visualize each physical factor in relation to delight. They are presented along a continuum
and identify the connections they make with their owner in three ways: *
1. Instinctual: Unconscious and immediate reactions to the furniture piece. * These categories are
informed by the three
stages of emotional
response to objects
2. Intellectual: Appreciation resulting from understanding the practical and as identified by Donald
Norman — 1. Visceral,
valuable aspects of the furniture piece. 2. Behavioral, and 3.
Reflective.
3. Sublime: The transcendent and emotional ties that reference the past
and future, at times simultaneously.
68
Fig. 4
Form
Aesthetic Appeal
Delight Instinctual
Playfulness
Uniquness
Identity: Expression of
Taste & Preference
Comfort
Intellectual Recognizability
Familiarity
69
Function Construction �aterials
Color
Instinctual
Pattern
Ease of Use Adaptability:
Ease of Mobility Tactility: Texture
Humor
Quality of Joinery
Ease of Ease of
Intellectual
Adaptability for
�ultiple Scenarios
Narrative:
Design Intention
Connection to
Craftsperson Ritual & Interaction:
�eaning
70
Additional Points of Note
Research for this thesis was limited by time and the amount of sources consulted. It does acknowledge
that the scope of viewpoints focuses on a narrow, higher-tier economic bracket. The clientele of the interior
and furniture design community tend to be an affluent group of people, and only represent a small portion
of the general population. �any of the furniture pieces referenced in Ch. 3 and Ch. 4 are cost-prohibitive to
would-be consumers, however their inclusion is for their aesthetic appeal and any related emotional con-
nection derived from their forms, not their provenance. Also, in the discussions surrounding construction
and material factors, there is an implied directive to using only highly-skilled joinery techniques or expen-
sive materials to achieve a physically durable product. There are economic tradeoffs to producing and
purchasing physically durable objects, not all of which are realistic or attainable on certain projects. They
are only hinted at briefly in a few of the conversations in Ch. 3.
71
The Role of Delight
in Furniture Longevity
Chapter 6 —
Conclusion
72
Conclusion
This inquiry has raised more questions than answers. The results
of this research have shown physical durability and emotional connec-
tion to be the key factors in furniture longevity. It has provided:
73
Fig. 5
74
Footnotes / Works Cited
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4. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2014). Waste Legislation and Regulations.
Retrieved from: www.gov.uk/waste-legislation-and-regulations#eu-waste-framework-directive
7. Chapman J., & Gant N. (2007). Designers, Visionaries and Other Stories: A Collection of Sustainable
Design (p. 10) London, UK: Earthscan.
9. Friends of the Earth. (2009). Overconsumption? Our Use of the World’s Natural Resources.
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www.epa.gov/waste/nonhaz/municipal/
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13. Ibid.
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Retrieved from: www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/Domestic%20Furniture%20chapter_final.pdf
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Phoenix, AZ: Okala Team.
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Basic Books.
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25. Walker, S. (2006). Sustainable by Design: Explorations in Theory and Practice (p. 54). London,
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26. Chapman, J. (2005). Emotionally Durable Design: Objects, Experiences, & Empathy (p. 48). London,
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28. Van Hinte, E. (1997). Eternally Yours: Visions on Product Endurance. Rotterdam: 010 Publishers.
29. �cLennan, J., (2004). The Philosophy of Sustainable Design (p. 237). Kansas City, �O:
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76
34. Walker, S. (2006). Sustainable by Design: Explorations in Theory and Practice (p. 59). London,
UK: Earthscan.
35. �cLennan, J., (2004). The Philosophy of Sustainable Design (p. 235). Kansas City, �O:
Ecotone LLC.
37. Norman, D. (2004). Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things (p. 103). New York,
NY: Basic Books.
38. Hosey, L. (2012). The Shape of Green: Aesthetics, Ecology, and Design (p. 7). Washington, DC:
Island Press.
39. Walker, S. (2006). Sustainable by Design: Explorations in Theory and Practice (p. 142). London,
UK: Earthscan.
40. Chapman, J. (2005). Emotionally Durable Design: Objects, Experiences, & Empathy (pp. 98–99).
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41. Cupchik, G.C. (1999). Emotion and Industrial Design: Reconciling �eanings and Feelings. First
International Conference on Design and Emotion. Delft, Netherlands: Delft University of Technology.
42. Norman, D. (2004). Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things (p. 7). New York, NY:
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46. Chapman, J. (2005). Emotionally Durable Design: Objects, Experiences, & Empathy (p. 12). London,
UK: Earthscan.
47. Norman, D. (2004). Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things (p. 48). New York,
NY: Basic Books.
49. Chapman, J. (2005). Emotionally Durable Design: Objects, Experiences, & Empathy (p. 165). London,
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50. Csikszentmihalyi, �., & Halton E. (1981). The �eaning of Things: Domestic Symbols and the Self.
Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
51. Norman, D. (2004). Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things (p. 46). New York,
NY: Basic Books.
77
52. Norman, D. (2004). Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things (p. 48). New York,
NY: Basic Books.
53. Chapman, J. (2005). Emotionally Durable Design: Objects, Experiences, & Empathy. London,
UK: Earthscan.
55. Walker, S. (2006). Sustainable by Design: Explorations in Theory and Practice. London, UK:
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56. Chapman, J. (2005). Emotionally Durable Design: Objects, Experiences, & Empathy. London,
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57. Walker, S. (2006). Sustainable by Design: Explorations in Theory and Practice (p. 74). London, UK:
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58. Campbell, J. (2001). Thou Art That: Transforming Religious �etaphor (p. 104). Novato, CA: New
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59. Loos, A. (1998) Ornament and Crime: Selected Essays. Riverside, CA: Ariadne Press.
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62. Pile, J. (1979). �odern Furniture (p. 15). The University of �ichigan: Wiley.
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82