De Sede

36

De SEDE

Swiss-made furniture with the ultimate allure

Boasting the finest materials and bold statement designs, de Sede has been cultivating excellence in creating timeless sofas and loungers since 1965. Their “Swiss art of living” turns the heads of admirers of beautiful craftsmanship and stunning design the world over. We talked to Monika Walser, CEO of the prestigious furniture maker based in the Swiss canton of Aargau.

TEXT DELPHINE GALLAY

WHAT MAKES UP THE DNA OF DE SEDE CREATIONS?

In our ateliers in Klingnau, we make it a point of honor to create products of only the very highest quality. Beauty of design is important, but our furniture lines are all about indulgent comfort too. That’s where our strength lies: making furniture that combines beautiful design with ergonomics and functionality. Whether you’re seated or lying down, every aspect is geared towards maximum comfort.

DE SEDE WAS FOUNDED IN THE 1960S, THE GOLDEN AGE OF DESIGN. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LAST SIX DECADES?

Since the beginning, we have created design-led furniture. Pieces that are modern, of course, but first and foremost classic. The philosophy behind our creations is that every single piece is designed to last. The idea is that our customers will still have them in their homes in 20 or 30 years’ time, or even longer. To achieve that, we favor a design that is both neutral and contemporary.

WHAT MAKES YOUR LEATHERS SO UNIQUE?

Our leathers breathe! At de Sede, we have a passion for this unique material, with its pattern of pores, its grain, its surface structure, and its folds. We are always on the lookout for new treatment processes and new qualities of leather. For our furniture, we use only the very finest hides. Our delicate tanning process results in a particularly soft, supple and durable leather – also known as aniline or Nappa leather. We keep processing to a minimum, for a superior-quality leather that allows the hide to breathe. Look at it with a magnifying glass and you’ll see the hair pores are still open. As a result, the leather is neither cold nor hot to the touch. It matches the skin temperature of whoever is sitting on it.

WHICH IS YOUR MOST ICONIC MODEL?

I’d say there are two: our DS-600 and DS-1025 modular sofas. We call them our “Snake” and “Terrazza” sofas. The DS-600 can be curved into all sorts of elegant snakelike S shapes, and the ingenious design of the DS-1025, consisting of two elements, is inspired by a cascading staircase. To date, these are the brand’s biggest sellers. They’re particularly in demand from Hollywood stars.

YOUR FURNITURE HAS BEEN FEATURED IN SEVERAL BOND MOVIES, AND REGULAR CUSTOMERS INCLUDE MICK JAGGER AND SNOOP DOGG ... TODAY, YOU EXPORT TO 69 COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD. WHAT HAVE BEEN THE WEIRDEST PERSONALIZATION REQUESTS YOU’VE EVER HAD?

You wouldn’t believe what our customers sometimes ask for. There have been so many! The one that sticks out for me was a special request to customize a DS-600 sofa. The customer wanted the bottom of the sofa – which you can barely see – to be made of gold so it could be placed on top of a mirror … They were adamant they wanted this detail!

IN WATCHMAKING, FASHION AND DESIGN, THERE’S A TREND AT THE MOMENT FOR SEVENTIES NOSTALGIA. IN THIS ERA OF SLOW LIVING AND SLOW FURNITURE, WHAT DOES THE NEW GENERATION OF CUSTOMERS THINK OF YOUR CREATIONS?

It’s difficult to say. It varies a lot from country to country. At de Sede, we don’t keep any stock; we manufacture solely on demand. Our pieces are made to measure by hand in our ateliers in Klingnau. It’s not really about trends; what our clientele cares about most is quality, the exclusive nature of our products and acquiring items that will last. I think it’s less about generational differences and more a question of values. Our creations may be modern, but above all they are classic and timeless.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE (TRUE) LUXURY?

I would say it’s something that endures. A piece that excites all five senses, starting with sight and touch.

WHAT ARE YOUR WISHES FOR THE FUTURE?

I’d like us to carry on as we are! And continue to expand all over the world. More generally, I would like people to become more conscious of nature and their impact on the environment. Particularly in the way they consume. I’m aware that a de Sede creation doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a tremendous investment. You get a lot of value for your money: character design, the very finest craftsmanship, and a timeless creation that will see you through several decades in style and comfort!

WWW.DESEDE.CH

Available by parcel delivery throughout Switzerland, delivered fresh within 24 hours.