Selected by Openhouse Issue 21, design 11

In Praise of Folly

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1CH25. The CH25 lounger chair was originally designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1949. Its distinctive design features the use of woven paper cord, introduced as a substitute for seagrass developed during World War II, marking a significant innovation in product design. DESIGNER: HANS J. WEGNER. BRAND: CARL HANSEN. YEAR 1950.
1ESSI 003. A series of environments influenced by the local assemblages and structures observed in Kruth have inspired Thomas Roger to create this “essi”. A Vosges term synonymous with shingle. DESIGNER: THOMAS ROGER. BRAND: TR CUITE.
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1QUARTET. The Quartet sofa was designed by Mario Bellini in the 1960s. He transformed the padding of the traditional armchair into an item of furniture: independent cushions connected by a belt passed around the outside. This sofa exudes sophistication with its upholstery and impecabble craftmanship. DESIGNER: MARIO BELLINI. YEAR 1964.
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1PLASTERWORKS A. Cc-tapis displays this collection made by hand in Nepal, designed by David/Nicholas, showcased by design retailer Studio 84 and staged at the home of the late Mexican architect Pedro Ramírez Vàzquez in Mexico City. The collection by David/Nicholas was inspired by the triangle patterns that decorate the restaurant's walls located in Beirut. DESIGNER: DAVID/NICHOLAS. BRAND: CC-TAPIS. YEAR 2019.
1TABULA RASA. Tabula Rasa, a temporary installation at Maison Rocher in Paris, named "Black Canvas." FRAMA, a Copenhagen-based brand, fosters sensory connections through objects and spatial works. It offers furniture, lifestyle items, self-care products, and fragrances promoting mindful living. Emphasizing permanence, natural materials, and quality, FRAMA celebrates craftsmanship for a timeless aesthetic. Genuine connections, whether between people or with objects. GALLERY: MAISON ROCHER. BRAND: FRAMA. YEAR 2024.
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1RARE TABLE LAMP. The Rare Table Lamp designed by Guidetti Crippa for Lumi, crafted in Italy during the 1970s, is a vintage piece. It features a clear glass globe with a white-dipped top end, is cradled onto a polished nickel base. Equipped with a dimmer switch and original European cord, it has been adapted for use in the US. DESIGNER: PIA GUIDETTI CRIPPA. BRAND: LUMI. YEAR 1970s.
1GRAVITU & GRACE EXIHIBITION. The White Onyx Sugar Daddy Chair designed by Pietro Franceschini manufactured in Mexico by Galatea Workshop and sold exclusively by Galerie Philia, combines contemporary design with opulence. This functional yet artful piece showcases Franceschini's skillful craftsmanship and minimalist aesthetic. DESIGNER: PIETRO FRANCESCHINI. GALLERY: GALLERIE PHILIA. YEAR 2023.
1BALI TABLE LAMP. This Bali Lamp is a vintage piece by the renowned Italian artist Bruno Munari, created in 1958 using absolutely innovative plastic. With its classic yet forward-thinking aesthetic, this masterpiece continues to captivate and inspire, reflecting Munari's enduring impact on the world of design. DESIGNER: BRUNO MUNARI. YEAR 1958 RE-EDITION 2023.
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OCRES. Inspired from the simplicity of rural houses from the Mediterranean, what completes this collection is the authenticity and lucidness that together give off a rustic aesthetic concentrating around one of its main characteristics: natural tones and stone. BRAND: MANGO HOME. YEAR 2024.
1FLAGPOLE LAMP. The flagpole lamp from the collection Assembly 0.1 is an exploration of functional simplicity. Focused on breaking down the components to end up with the essential elements: the structure, the shade, and the light source. DESIGNER: FREDERIK FIALIN.
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1INNER SPACE EXHIBITION. Inner Space exhibition at The Future Perfect gallery unveils a collection of historic and contemporary design with works from JB Blunk, Isamu Noguchi, Alana Burns, Ian Collings, and Minjae Kim. The gallery has crafted a narrative of the pieces simultanously revealing micro and macro contexts for a story as old as time and as real as the body. DESIGNERS: JB BLUNK, ISAMU NOGUCHI, ALANA BURNS, IAN COLLINGS, AND MINJAE KIM. GALLERY: THE FUTURE PERFECT. YEAR 2024.
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1VESSELS FOR LIGHT. Stitched, stacked and waxed. Vessels for Light is a collection of paper lamps that plays on the contrast between brutal, heavy forms and the fragile, delicate paper which it is crafted from. Each lamp is made is made entirely by hand in kozo paper, browned brass and wax. DESIGNERS: CHRISTIAN HAMMER JUHL AND JADE CHAN. BRAND: CHRISTIAN + JADE.
1LACQUERED CHAIRS. The lacquered chair designed by the Korean artist Minjae Kim shows the result of simple, quirky, imperfect, incohesive, impractical, irrational and often emotional one-liners revolving around an idea. DESIGNER: MINJAE KIM.
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1TABLE LIGHT. A fusion of minimalist and functional design, Studio Haos has crafted this table light with the use of stainless steel, washi paper, plywood, glass to create a warm and iviting glow. Sophie Gelinet and Cedric Gepner are the minds behind the brand located in Lisbon. DESIGNER: LARS VON TRIER AND THOMAS VINTERBERG. GALLERY: STUDIO HAOS. YEAR 2022.
1HACER PARA NO SER. HACER, PARA NO SER features a installation of six biomaterial, fused-glass sculptures and paintings by Mexican industrial and interior designer C. S Nuñez. His collection envisions the sensations and experiences of human nature, discovering vestiges of ancestral cultures, and connecting those feelings with the modern era. Nuñez believes that when we acquire an object, we acquire a piece of time and history. DESIGNER: C.S. NUÑEZ. GALLERY: UNNO GALLERY. YEAR 2024.
1LEAN 2. Grace Prince, a London-born artist based in Zürich, explores the interplay of light and materials in her designs. Without the use of ready-mades, she meticulously crafts each element by hand or in collaboration with artisans. The Lean 2 lamp, made from stainless steel, iron, reclaimed branch, washi paper, and paint, embodies Prince's innovative approach to design. DESIGNER: GRACE PRINCE. YEAR 2023.
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1CALA TABLE. The CALA table impressively demonstrates how versatile solid wood can be. While the table top is kept minimalist, the design of the frame is exceptional and elegant. A work of art, which may very much be the focus. DESIGNER: GIL COSTE. BRAND: MORE MÖEBEL. YEAR 2019.
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1DOUBLE CYLINDER BACK. With a striking emobidment of modern design and comfort and using volume and lines as guides, the Double Cylinder Black Chair is designed and hand crafted by Shin Okuda. It stands out for its stainless steel hardware and premium black upholstery. This chair and all others from Shin Okuda's collection are available in natural oil, black, white, pompeii red, indigo, grey, purple, and forest green. DESIGNER: SHIN OKUDA. BRAND: WAKA WAKA.
1C+J PEDESTAL PLATE. The C+J Pedestal Plate offers a bold reinterpretation of the traditional pedestal plate, paying homage to natural materials in an unconventional manner. Crafted from solid oak sourced from local Croatian forestry, it not only highlights but also accentuates every item placed upon it. DESIGNERS: CHRISTIAN + JADE. BRAND: FORA PROJECTS.
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1TWO TONE ASHTRAY. Charlotte Taylor collaborates with Garcé & Dimofski to create a two-tone ashtray, featuring wood in its simplest, chunky geometric form, emphasizing intricate joinery and showcasing variants in grain, finish, and a tactile feel. DESIGNER: CHARLOTTE TAYLOR. GALLERY: GARCÉ & DIMOFSKI.
1MURAKAMI TABLE. Crafted from solid oak wood and finished with natural oak oil, the Murakami table embodies a refined understanding infused with significance, fostering a connection between people and their surroundings. BRAND: CRUDE. YEAR 2024.
RYMD CHAIR. The Rymd chair offers a design that showcases handmade craftsmanship, emphasizing the impermanence of things and distancing itself from technology. The couple aimed to create a chair that embodies these concepts, exploring fragility and existential quality through experiential touch. DESIGNER: LUCAS & TYRA MORTEN. YEAR 2023.
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