THE CUT
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THE UP-AND-COMER
Silver Lake armchair by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso The form An angular armchair with a flat
cult classic
Far from just sitting pretty, these armchairs have serious design cred THE ORIGINAL
Utrecht chair by Gerrit Rietveld, manufactured by Cassina The form A block-like armchair with angular arms, completely covered in fabric. What makes it special Designed in 1935/6 for the famous Metz & Co department
store in Amsterdam by renowned Dutch Modernist architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld (part of the De Stijl art movement), the armchair was a radical break from traditional upholstered furniture. Originally produced in a heavyweight brown canvas inspired by the traditional sails of Dutch ships that were preserved by tanning with oak bark, the chair was released in coloured wool after World War II. Since the early 1970s, Italian producer Cassina has held the rights to Rietveld’s furniture designs, reissuing the Utrecht armchair in 1988 with the choice of a blanket or zigzag stitch to the seams. The low stance, lack of rear legs and clever use of geometry make it a popular choice for contemporary architectural projects, and designers find the chair surprisingly adept at fitting into a range of interior styles. Expect to pay From $8205 in an entry-level fabric with zigzag or blanket stitch Where to buy Space Furniture; (02) 8339 7588 or spacefurniture.com.au 18 | INSIDE OUT
metal leg that turns into an arm and wraps around the chair’s back. What makes it special Created by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola in 2010 for Italian upholstery specialist Moroso, Silver Lake is named after the area of Los Angeles famous for buildings by the AustrianAmerican mid-century architect Richard Neutra, whose designs often incorporated intersecting geometric shapes. The chair’s signature element is a wraparound angular metal arm that also forms its front legs. Another interesting aspect of the design is the option of wooden side panels (version SLB) rather than the more conventional fabric or leather to match the seat. This concept enhances the geometric nature of the design, however, upholstered sides (version SLA) are also offered for those who prefer a softer look. The arm colour can be selected from a palette of four shades: pale grey, oxide red, ink blue and anthracite. Three sizes of the chair are also offered: a small footprint version with a compact seat, plus high- and low-backed versions with a deeper seat. Expert to pay $5550 Where to buy Hub Furniture: (03) 9652 1222 or hubfurniture.com.au
