Tag: Design Classics

Barbican Tower Flat

brutalist masterpiece

Over the past 10 years the Thomson brothers have had the dream job of working on a variety of interior design projects on one of our favourite brutalist buildings, the Barbican. The Barbican is a residential estate built during the 1960s and is a prominent example of British concrete brutalist architecture. We have had the pleasure of working with the them on a number of projects and on their most recent project, a tower flat, we have supplied some iconic lights and furniture. Here are some images of the pieces in situ looking great.

Barbican Flat
Stunning view from the desk, love the Eames fabric on the Eames Office chair
 
Love the Tulip Table and Foscarini Chouchin light
Love the Tulip Table and Foscarini Chouchin light
Simple White kitchen with a splash of colour in the form of Foscarini Chouchin Light and Tulip chairs in green
Simple White kitchen with a splash of colour in the form of Foscarini Chouchin Light and Tulip chairs in green
Iconic shard in the background, nice terrace!
Iconic Shard building in the background, nice terrace!
Doesn't getanymore iconic than that - Vitra Eames Lounge Chair and Knoll womb Chair
Doesn’t get any more iconic than that – Vitra Eames Lounge Chair and Knoll womb Chair
Recreate this stunning look with some of our favourite products featured in the interior –

Vitra Eames Lounge chair
Foscarini Chouchin Light
Vitra LTR Table
Flos Taccia
Vitra Eames DCW Chair
Vitra Ball Clock

Hope this interior inspires you!

The Team at Cimmermann

Vico Magistretti

Italian Architect and Designer

Vico Magistretti was born in Milan on 6th October 1920. He came from a family of generations of architects: his great-grandfather Gaetano Besia built the Reale Collegio delle Fanciulle Nobili in Milan; his father, Pier Giulio Magistretti, was involved in the design of the Arengario in Piazza del Duomo.

He went on to become another of Italy’s most prolific and influential product designers. The 70’s saw Magistretti’s architectural enterprises increasingly backed up by his work as a designer. One of his most recognisable products is the Maralunga Sofa which won a Golden Compass award in 1979. Maralunga defines the 70’s era of furniture design with its movable back rests offering pure comfort.

Maralunga Sofa
Vico Magistretti’s Maralunga Sofa – a design classic
He also designed a set of lamps for Artemide, including Mania (1963), Dalù (1965), Chimera (1966), the extremely famous Eclisse (1967, Golden Compass award 1967),Teti (1970) and Impiccato (1970).

Artemide Eclisse by Vico Magistretti
Artemide Eclisse Light – the light can be altered by moving the diffuser
Artemide Dalu
Artemide Dalu – simple and original

For many years Magistretti was also the art director and main designer for Oluce, giving the company’s production range its own unmistakable style. His masterpieces and most iconic light recognised all over the world is most notably Atollo (1977, Golden Compass Award 1979.
Oluce Atollo Light by Vico Magistretti
Oluce Atollo Light by Vico Magistretti

His business partnership with Kartell resulted in the creation of Maui Chair (1996) & Nihau Chair (1996) – which is made from one single piece of plastic with metal legs. An affordable chair it is excellent for the home or in a more commercial environment.

Kartell Nihau Chair
Vico Magistretti – Kartell Nihau Chair

In 2013 Kartell re-issued a new soft version of the Maui chair. Covered in Kvadrat Divina fabric it offers a different take on the original with extra comfort.

Kartell Maui Soft Chair
Kartell Maui Soft Chair covered in Kvadrat Divina fabric

In 1997 the Milan “Salone del Mobile” dedicated a special exhibition to Vico Magistretti, alongside another on Gio Ponti, organised by Vanni Pasca. The installation was designed by Achille Castiglioni and Ferruccio Laviani.

Introduce a bit of classic Italian Design into your home, shop our selection of Vico Magistretti’s products.

The Team at Cimmermann

Credits

http://www.vicomagistretti.it/en/

Marble – Tasteful and Luxurious

Marble products at Cimmermann

Marble is a stunning product that has been used for 100’s of years. From old Italian masters to modern day designers marble has always epitomised sheer indulgence and luxury.

A good way to introduce a piece of tactile marble into your home is with a light or a table. We choose some of our favourites –

Flos Arco Light

Arco Light is a design classic from Achille Castiglioni. We don’t need to say much about this icon of lighting design. One thing to remember is you won’t be able to move the base on your own – 60 kgs of the finest Italian marble.

e15 Enoki Tables

e15 Enoki Tables combine modern colours with the timeless quality of marble so fluidly. Cleverly toying with material, colour and dimensions, these versatile tables are available in combinations of rich marble and coloured steel. 

&Tradition Shuffle Table

With the shuffle Table Mia Hamborg gives new life to the old Nordic craft tradition of turning wood by adding the colour and playful forms from old painted wooden toys. This new black marble version is stunning and adds an element of sophistication.

Flos Snoopy Light

A design classic from Achille Castiglioni. The base is made from the finest Italian marble and the shade from enamelled glass.

Vitra Plate Table

Simple form made with luxurious materials, the Plate Table offers a lesson in simplicity.  Quite in keeping with Jasper Morrison’s philosophy of “super normal” design, the Plate Coffee Tables have a classic shape and finely balanced proportions.

We love marble here at Cimmermann, the feel of it, the look of it and the fact each piece is unique – add some marble to your interior you won’t regret it.

The Team At Cimmermann

Gubi – Brand In Focus

Scandinavian Masters

Gubi was founded in 1967 by Gubi and Lisbeth Olsen in Denmark. They initially focused on producing Olsen’s furniture designs and selling textiles to the retail sector. 

The term ‘Chasing forgotten icons’ has led Gubi to re-launch a collection of designs from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. As well as icons, their uncanny ability to recognise original ideas and inspirations has also resulted in a unique collection of exciting new designs from designers such as GamFratesi and Komplot Design.

Some of the stand-out and most recognisable designs from Gubi –

The iconic Adnet mirror is a real stand out piece from Jacques Adnet. The mirror is made from hand-stitched Italian natural tanned full grain leather in black or tan and oozes quality.

Adnet Mirror
Gubi Adnet mirror in Tan Leather
Gubi Adnet mirror
Beautiful Adnet Floor rectangular mirror
Watch this cool video about Jacques Adnet, the designer of the beautiful Adnet mirror –

Jacques Adnet from Gubi on Vimeo.

Greta Grossman was a female design pioneer and long time collaborator with Gubi. Her products include the Grasshopper floor light, Cobra light and beautiful Grossman desk.

Greta Grossman Designs
A collection of stunning Greta Grossman designs

Watch this cool video about Grossman and her products –

Greta Grossman from Gubi on Vimeo.

Mategot Collection – Mathieu Matégot’s organic forms and lightness of touch create a sense of joy and the ground breaking and innovative techniques that he applied resulted in unique aesthetics and, above all, contemporary designs. Today, Matégot’s designs are equally fit for the purpose as when they were originally conceived, and his legendary designs are both timeless and classic. The Nagasaki chair is one of few three-legged chairs and is still Matégot’s best-known piece.  Gubi’s collection of original Mategot design include Nagasaki Chair, Dedal Shelf, Nagasaki Table and Mategot Coatrack.

Matégot
A selection of Matégot’s most iconic products for Gubi
Nagasaki Chair in Yellow and black
Nagasaki Chair in Yellow and black

The Pedrera family of lights were designed by Barba Corsini, a leading functionalist architect, in association with his protegé, Joaquim Ruiz Millet. In 1955, Corsini, realised his contemporary vision through his renovation of the La Pedrera loft space (designed by Gaudi) and the furnishings he custom designed for it- the Pedrera PD2 Floor Light, Pedrera Coffee Table and the Pedrera ANA Pendant Light

Pedrera Family
Simple and functional Pedrera family of lights and coffee table
Pedrera Coffee Table and Floor light
Pedrera Coffee Table and Floor light

We love Gubi at Cimmermann, their iconic products and attention to detail is second to none, long may it continue…

The Team at Cimmermann

Robin Day – Designer in Focus

ROBIN DAY (1915 – 2010) and his textile designer wife LUCIENNE (1917 – 2010) transformed British design after World War II by pioneering a new modern idiom. He experimented with new materials in inexpensive furniture for manufacturers like Hille and more recently Loft.

As Britain’s most celebrated designer couple of the post-war era, Robin and Lucienne Day were – and are still – often compared to their US contemporaries, Charles and Ray Eames. However, their working practice was quite different. Whereas the Eames designed as a team, the Days mostly worked independently in separate fields. Placed side by side, Robin’s furniture and Lucienne’s furnishings are remarkably harmonious in ethos and aesthetic, reflecting the creative synergy between them. But it is important not to blur their identity and achievements. Assessed individually, the Days are both towering figures in their own right.

Like many architects and designers during the optimistic post-war period, the Days believed in the transformative power of modern design to make the world a better place. They rose to prominence during the 1951 Festival of Britain, which provided an ideal showcase for their talents. Lucienne’s arresting abstract-patterned textiles and wallpapers were displayed alongside Robin’s steel and plywood furniture in the Homes and Gardens Pavilion. Robin also designed the furniture for the Royal Festival Hall.

His furniture designs include the iconic Polo Chair. A true Design Classic, the Polo Chair with its many distinctive holes and range of bright colours. It is available with 4 different bases – the Skid Base,  Sled, 5 Star Office and 4 legged base versions. Available in 9 different shell colours and 4 different leg finishes it is also suitable for outdoor use. These chairs are still made in the UK on the original machine Robin Day designed in the 1970’s. Prices start from £80 which is amazing for such an iconic piece of furniture design.

Robin Day - Polo Chairs
Polo Chair in actors dressing rooms in an undisclosed location…
Polo Chair in restaurant setting
Polo chair is great for restaurant’s or cafes
Robin Day - Polo Chairs outdoors
Polo Chairs – perfect for the Outdoors
Polo chairs at the Barbican
Polo chairs and stools at the iconic Barbican in London
Robin Day Polo Chair and Vintage Desk
Polo Chair in Light Blue with a vintage desk – very cool
Polo Chairs in orange
Polo Chairs in orange
Polo Chairs
Retro looking yellow Polo Chairs – look at that floor, beautiful!

Few pieces of furniture combine the style and comfort of the Club Chair and Club Sofa. In 1962, Robin Day designed the Club range as Britains’ original “cube sofa” and the club chair was created as a modern take on the classic chesterfield design. The club range is 100% handmade in the UK.

Robin Day - Club 2 Seater Sofa
Club 2 Seater Sofa covered in Paul Smith fabric
Club sofa and footstool by Robin Day
Club Sofa and footstool in green wool

Robin Day’s Leo chair gained iconic status when James Bond (Sean Connery) sat in one in the film You Only Live Twice (1967). The Leo chair and ottoman is made in England and is available in a range of leathers and fabrics.

Sean Connery in a Robin Day Leo Chair
Sean Connery in a Robin Day Leo Chair
Leo Chair and Ottoman on a swivel Base
Leo Chair and Ottoman on a swivel Base

Robin Day was more than a designer and we are proud to work closely with Loft to sell his designs to discerning buyers of all ages.

the team at Cimmermann

Credits:

Design Museum