Art of lounging e book

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the art of lounging —

There are more reasons than ever for us to take time out for ourselves.

Place lounging/sitting/relaxing into the context of our lifestyles – rising stress levels, concerns about working too hard/too long, eternally plugged in to our social networks – and this activity becomes more than just a pleasant pastime, but also a necessary respite.

Entwined in these concerns for our health are the risks of a sedentary lifestyle. We’ve all heard it by now – ‘Sitting is the New Smoking’. So our design choices need to consider the potential impact of our living environments on our own bodies and minds, as well as that of our families.

Rather than confining the ‘lounge’ to an isolated product, or even a single room, let’s encourage a lounging attitude to benefit us whether we are completely relaxing, playing or working. We all deserve to live within spaces that will calm, nourish and nurture our senses.

Join us in cultivating the Art of Lounging.

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Image from Happy by amanda TalboT.

the art of lounging

Design R&R —

REST AND RELAXATION is something we are all seeking in today’s fast-paced world. Our lounge areas should offer the ultimate retreat, a place to unwind in style, socialise and entertain, eat, work and play. SOphIE DAvIES looks at ways to create a multi-tasking space to suit your needs. Whether in a compact flat or a larger home, design can improve your wellbeing and enhance the art of lounging.

TexT Sophie DavieS | phoTographY variouS

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gardenias garden collection by jaime hayon for bd barcelona.

sinnerlig collection by studio ilse for ikea.

herman miller home office.

Get personal We all have different ideas of what constitutes relaxation in our living area. For some it could be a brilliant music system, for others a quiet reading chair. Some might crave sociable kitchen/dining integration and a state-of-theart TV that makes entertaining a breeze. Those seeking solitude might want to create a spot for yoga, meditation or an indoor garden. The lounge is the room that most reflects this variety, so should be personalised to suit your needs.

the art of lounging

The lounge is the room that most reflects this variety, so should be personalised to suit your needs.

Herman miller furniture creates a relaxed working environment in tHe Home.

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kaari collection by ronan and erwan bouroullec for artek.

Creating a flexible environment to suit different moods at diverse times is key to fulfilling lounge living.

the art of lounging

Flexible friends Creating a flexible environment to suit different moods at diverse times is key to fulfilling lounge living. Add a few great chairs for ergonomic sitting, a sofa big enough for two to stretch out and watch a movie, and a low-lying lounging area for kicking back. Space saving is another vital form of flexibility.

Toro lounge froM bludoT.

Mobile Chandelier 6 by MiChael anaSTaSSiadeS.

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bolla table collection by paola navone for gervasoni.

tokyo tribal collection by nendo.

Serene studies Successfully integrating a study nook into a lounge is a huge modern challenge. We’re all working 24/7, so how do you detach at home? And how can freelancers based in their living room separate work from play? If you have no space for a seductive screen to disguise your work area, then at least get a great looking desk.

the art of lounging

We’re all working 24/7, so how do you detach at home?

Double Zero range of seating by DaviD aDjaye for moroso.

sé collection iii by nika Zupanc.

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The living room of the future will need to get more active.

slide collection of shelving and tables by nendo for glas italia.

the art of lounging

Sitting pretty The living room of the future will need to get more active, with a fluid mix of options – from sitting to standing, cooking, perching at bar stools, lying on the floor or kneeling – enticing us to shift positions and zones regularly, rather than slumping for hours.

layers collection of display units by nendo for glas italia.

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Playful retreat For families with young children, providing lounge space for both active play and rest is equally important to kids’ wellbeing. Children need privacy too and spots to call their own, for naps and games. Consider an indoor teepee or ‘play furniture’ such as a hanging seat – adult play should be embraced too!

scribble rug by front for moooi rug collections.

the art of lounging Image from Happy by amanda TalboT.

bespoke Teepees and TenT accessorIes from joyjoIe.

Providing lounge space for both active play and rest is equally important.

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greg natale on one of his rug designs for designer rugs.

Rugs are a living room’s best friend.

Rug up When it comes to demarcating different lounge areas – sitting, study, dining, play – rugs are a living room’s best friend, zoning spaces whether they’re tiny or huge.

the art of lounging

Rug designs by gReg natale foR designeR Rugs.

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spence & lyda showroom, sydney.

Time out Detoxing from our devices is a radical way of making the lounge truly relaxing, and can minimise visual clutter.

For more on the Art of Lounging pick up the latest issue, Habitus #29, out now

self-made seat by matali crasset for campeggio.

the art of lounging

Make the lounge truly relaxing.

Image from Happy by amanda TalboT.

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Industry insights —

connected high booths by ross didier.

We asked a few experts in the know, who design and supply some of our favourite lounging products, to share their thoughts on the FUTURE OF LOUNGING. Name Ross DiDieR | TiTle FouNDeR | CompaNy DiDieR | yeaR esTablisheD 2000

What lounge do you have at home and what is the story behind it?

A Quoin 3-seat lounge with arms sits in our kitchen and has become the favourite conversation seat while meals are prepared. Designed in 2008, a panoramic view of metropolis skyscrapers was the inspiration for a series of sofas, chairs and ottomans that create a city skyline, ‘tailored for architectural landscapes’.

Which two lounging/seating products from your range are most important and why?

The Connected seating products and new Brydie collection, both designed and manufactured in Australia, are my two most important Didier lounge ranges to date.

I designed the original Connected range winning the Corporate Culture SAS Design Journey competition in 2006 and Brydie is my latest lounge design and embodies a luxurious character with generous comfort and contemporary proportions. I wanted to include a high-end residential sofa in my collection, manufactured to achieve a premium quality, in a relaxed and timeless aesthetic.

Which lounging product from another brand/company do you admire and why?

The Anfibio sofa bed by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti and designed the year I was born in 1970. This cult classic and multifunctional masterpiece can be used as a sofa, bed, floor pad and play pen for the kids – or a boxing ring depending on how they are getting along.

Where is lounging/seating going in the future? What directions in technology, manufacture, material and form have you identified?

I see lounging becoming more defined as multifunctional, compressed interiors. The lounge becomes a haven to relax in, a booth for conversation, a workspace for tasks or a cocoon to develop ideas. It becomes a stage for friends and a pocket in which to gather with family. It can also incorporate screen technology for presentations and layered surfaces to become an office. Materials will hopefully remain natural and ethically sourced as they are so enwrapped around the human body: plantation timbers, increasingly plywoods, and 100% wools and cotton.

the art of lounging

Name mark SWaNtoN | title FouNder | CompaNy ke-Zu | year eStabliShed 1992

What lounge do you have at home and what is the story behind it?

We have an L-shaped modular Maxalto Apta sofa by Antonio Citterio positioned to take in our North Bondi beach views, the television and to interact with occasional seating. The design has depth, is neutral, classic and designed for the serious lounger. Because KE-ZU doesn’t carry Maxalto, it also means our home doesn’t look like our showroom, so the lounge actually helps address the problem of ‘taking work home'.

Which two lounging/seating products from your range are most important and why?

Sancal’s Tip Toe has the depth of a chaise in a sofa, with enough seat for two to fall asleep comfortably. Andreu World’s Raglan sofa has a more rigid, classic formality.

However, it somehow is also extremely comfortable making it just as suitable in an office as a home environment.

tip toe lounge by sancal.

Which lounging product from another brand/company do you admire and why?

I've always loved Michel Ducaroy’s Togo from Ligne Roset, where the comfort is derived from the superb ergonomics.

If and when we replace our beloved Sancal Happen sofa in our 1970s beach house, Togo will be a dream replacement.

Where is lounging/seating going in the future? What directions in technology, manufacture, material and form have you identified?

As we supply sofas for homes, the corporate world, universities, aged care and health facilities, we look for designs that are suitable across a broad range of applications, or where modified designs can be integrated with the original product design. This could be bariatric seating or something as simple as extended arms to facilitate sitting for the elderly. Our customers are all different, that’s why our designs have to be different – although you may not always notice the different.

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Name Nick GarNham | TiTle DirecTor | compaNy JarDaN | year esTablisheD 1987

What lounge do you have at home and what is the story behind it?

Nook Sofa – this has a really soft, deep, relaxed seat on a light frame. Fine arms and a front plinth float on a turned leg – timeless design whilst also being super comfy.

Which two lounging/seating products from your range are most important and why?

Archie chair, one of our first ranges with the clean lines that have embodied the Jardan aesthetic for the last few years.

The Sweeney armchair is one of the latest designs that is our modern interpretation of a classic Australian look and incorporated the latest technology with CNC design, a sustainable recycled shell and relaxed upholstery detailing.

sweeney armchair.

Which lounging product from another brand/company do you admire and why?

The whole range from Moroso is always inspiring in that they continually push the boundaries with design and materiality and aren’t afraid to be playful and irreverent with colour and shape Where is lounging/seating going in the future? What directions in technology, manufacture, material and form have you identified?

The way we live is definitely moving toward smaller spaces so lounging is having to become more flexible and able to fit in a smaller footprint with multi-functionality. Upholstery coverings are becoming more fashion-driven and eclectic.

An emphasis on hand-crafted, as well as using the latest technology where applicable, seems to be the way forward.

archie chair.

the art of lounging

maxi armchair and 3-seater.

Name WILLIam DaNGaR | TITLe FouNDeR | CompaNy RobeRT pLumb | yeaR esTabLIsheD 1992

What lounge do you have at home and what is the story behind it?

At home I have a Gervasoni Brick 3-seat sofa – I have always loved Gervasoni furniture. My wife Julia and I have just finished a new house in Bondi and the proportion and aesthetic suits the space and our taste perfectly.

Which two lounging/seating products from your range are most important and why?

I like the proportion of the Maxi with the wide arms for sitting on and placing drinks on – it has a lower than standard seat height as well. The Fatso is modular and can be configured in many ways and custom fabric options allow great flexibility for personalisation.

Which lounging product from another brand/company do you admire and why?

The Tait metal furniture ranges are fine in section and also designed and made in Australia. My other favourite furniture is the Schultz outdoor products.

Where is lounging/seating going in the future? What directions in technology, manufacture, material and form have you identified?

I am convinced that timber will always be popular despite trends as it weathers so beautifully. I am a firm believer in the ‘keep it simple’ process and that there is an everincreasing demand for custom pieces.

maxi collection.

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ruben and jeremy chairs.

A lounge should be tailored to the space it occupies, and the lifestyle of the owner.

jeremy stool.

the art of lounging

Name LeoNard GeorGopouLos | TiTLe maNaGiNG direcTor | compaNy arThur G | year esTabLished 1979

What lounge do you have at home and what is the story behind it?

At home, I have our Aria Modular. It’s upholstered in Contemporary Verona Adriatic Leather and has been designed and configured specifically for our living space.

Which two lounging/seating products from your range are most important and why?

Designed in 2015, the Conrad sofa epitomises comfort, clean lines and good aesthetics. Whereas the Jeremy chair’s slim, sleek profile with supportive comfort ticks all the boxes.

Which lounging product from another brand/company do you admire and why?

I’ve always had an enormous amount of respect for the likes of Minotti and B&B Italia. They have always been leaders in most facets of contemporary lounging.

Where is lounging/seating going in the future? What directions in technology, manufacture, material and form have you identified?

It is up to us as designers to develop products which address the changing needs of consumers and their environments. Our Ofset range with Alexander Lotersztain addresses one of the dilemmas faced with contemporary lounging: flexibility. The modular range is entirely versatile, offering the owner unlimited possibilities and freedom of choice. As for advancements, we’re witnessing developments in technology, particularly with

foam products, which is changing the level of comfort as well as longevity that can now be achieved.

What are the benefits/purpose of lounging?

We all deserve some time out and lounging gives rise to just that. We do spend a substantial amount of time lounging as an important part of relaxation when we’re home, and enjoying the comfort of a good well-made lounge can be very satisfying. how have you seen lounging design change during your time in the industry?

We’ve been designing and manufacturing in Melbourne for 35 years and while the industry is typically dictated by present trends, it’s our belief that maintaining classic and timeless lines is where it’s at. We believe a lounge is a long-term investment and, where possible, should be tailored not only to the space it occupies, but the lifestyle of the owner.

What is your favourite all-time lounge and why?

Arguably our most timeless design, after more than 15 years the Bobcat sofa is still in high demand, and is testament to our mantra of classic forms.

What is your favourite thing to do on your lounge?

Relax and unwind. how much time do you spend lounging?

Not enough! I would say 3 to 4 hours per week if I’m lucky.

conrad sofa.

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Name RichaRd muNao | TiTle oWNeR/FouNdeR | compaNy culT desigN | yeaR esTablished 1997

What lounge do you have at home and what is the story behind it?

I’ve got the Superoblong from the Italian brand Cappellini at home, designed by Jasper Morrison. I love this piece because it is a versatile, modular lounge and the comfort from the foam is perfect.

Which two lounging/seating products from your range are most important and why?

The Fat Tulip armchair and sofa are important pieces from our own AGxCult range that we launched last year to promote local talent and Australian design and manufacture. We have many international brands that are particularly strong in seating category, including Fritz Hansen, Cassina and Poltrona Frau, so it’s really hard to choose just one other product from all these world-class brands. But this year we have focused a lot of our attention on the Series 7 chair and LC collection, including the incredible LC2 armchair, which are both celebrating important anniversaries this year.

Where is lounging/seating going in the future? What directions in technology, manufacture, material and form have you identified?

We have experienced increasing demand for custom and made-to-order lounging/seating, which is why our AGxCult collection has been received well in Australia.

We work with local upholsterers for this range and can customise fabric choices accordingly. Another important trend in lounging furniture is that people are looking more and more to invest in a high-quality statement lounge or armchair that can last them a lifetime.

suPeroblong by JasPer morrison for caPPellini.

lc4 by le corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and charlotte Perriand for cassina.

the art of lounging

breeze sofa/daybed.

Name GordoN & SUSaN TaiT | TiTle direcTor & creaTiVe direcTor | compaNy TaiT | year eSTabliShed XXXX

What lounge do you have at home and what is the story behind it?

We were very excited to recently purchase a lounge suite from Jardan, a company we have long admired. We chose the ‘Milo’ for its modern, relaxed and minimal style. It was great fun deciding which modular pieces would work for not only our lounge room space but also cater for our family of two teenagers, a dog and a cat and various visitors. We are thrilled with the result as you can truly lounge all over this sofa and it looks amazing.

Which two lounging/seating products from your range are most important and why?

We always consider how people like to relax outside and try to design furniture to fulfil this. Our Volley Lounger designed by Adam Goodrum is perfect for relaxed seating and comes with a magnetised seat pad for extra comfort.

The Breeze Daybed designed by Gordon Tait was inspired

by Balinese holidays where afternoons by the pool were spent reading and napping on large wooden Indonesian daybeds. We scaled the size down and modernised the design while maintaining the airy quality by using mesh as the main material, enabling the product to breathe. Using exterior foam and fabrics means all our furniture can be truly left outside.

Which lounging product from another brand/company do you admire and why?

Understanding how difficult designing outdoor furniture can be, naturally we admire other brands that get it right.

We have always loved the 1966 collection from Knoll and in particular, the Swell chair designed by Richard Schultz to compliment this collection. It is a comfortable, well proportioned, beautifully resolved piece and the materials and detailing are perfect for outdoor use. A timeless, elegant design which is something we in fact strive for every time.

Where is lounging/seating going in the future? What directions in technology, manufacture, material and form have you identified?

Specialising in furniture for exterior use we are constantly looking for materials and finishes that will perform well in Australia’s harsh climate, which is quite a challenge.

Outdoor fabrics have come a long way in recent times and now look and feel like indoor fabrics and in fact many people use them indoors for the lightfastness and robust qualities yet soft feel. The designs are stunning and have extra benefits like mould inhibitors. Powder coat colours are finally available in a range of bright colours which are UV proof – Dulux Intensity. As far as what type of furniture do people want for outside use, we generally create furniture for our lounge room and then use materials suitable for outdoor use, so everything we have inside, we now want outside too.

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Name RyaN LaWsoN | TiTLe Head of desigN | CompaNy KiNg LiviNg | yeaR esTabLisHed 1977

What lounge do you have at home and what is the story behind it?

I’m quite tall so I chose the Jasper for its deep seated comfort and high shoulder support. We also needed a spare bed for when family members stay over and the Jasper converts into a really comfortable bed. The timber shelving on the Jasper also ties in with other natural materials and integrates the sofa into our lounge room.

Which lounging/seating products from your range are most important and why?

The King Living Neo Modular Deluxe is a really impressive sofa. It can be reconfigured from a right hand chaise to a left hand chaise and all of the arms and backs are electronically adjustable so the comfort and look can be personalised. There’s also the option of rechargeable batteries to keep messy power cords off the floor.

Which lounging product from another brand/company do you admire and why?

The iconic Eames lounge chair is a design I really admire.

When sitting in this chair you can really appreciate the amount of thought and consideration that has been given to the comfort and ergonomics.

Where is lounging/seating going in the future? What directions in technology, manufacture, material and form have you identified?

The direction we’ll see is furniture will become much more technologically advanced, with more functionality,

neo-modular deluxe.

flexibility and accessories. The King Cloud II is an example of what we will see in the future, with programmable seating positions, integrated sounds systems, wireless phone charging tables, sofa lights and gesture controls.

What are the benefits/purpose of lounging?

At the end of a day people need a comfortable place to sit down, relax and recharge. You could be chatting, reading or watching a movie but the most important thing is that you’re really comfortable.

How have you seen lounging design change during your time in the industry?

The most significant change I’ve noticed is the integration of technology and the added functionality and features incorporated into furniture design.

What is your favourite all-time lounge and why?

The Neo Modular Deluxe is a great looking piece of furniture, has a lot of functionality and it is highly efficient in its use of materials, reducing its environmental impact.

What is your favourite thing to do on your lounge?

At the end of the day I really like lying down on my sofa and reading with my one year old daughter.

How much time do you spend lounging?

With a one year old at home I don’t have a lot of time to spend lounging but when I do, I like to be really comfortable.

the art of lounging

Herman miller eames® ClassiC lounge & ottoman.

salon sofa by bassamfellows.

walter knoll grand suite.

Name Jo maWhiNNey | TiTle head of ReTail aNd BuyiNg | CompaNy liviNg edge | yeaR esTaBlished 2000

What lounge do you have at home and what is the story behind it?

The Asymmetric large sofa from BassamFellows is incredibly comfortable and just like its creators Craig Bassam and Scott Fellows – stylish and sophisticated. I love and trust their designs.

Which two lounging/seating products from your range are most important and why?

The Herman Miller Eames® Classic Lounge & Ottoman by Charles and Ray Eames still stands out as one of the most important designs of the 20 th Century and one of the most popular. A true classic, having one is like having a piece of great art that you love and appreciate every day. The Walter Knoll Prime Time Sofa is also hard to beat. Generous and flexible, it makes an exceptional piece for a family home.

Which lounging product from another brand/company do you admire and why?

I am a major fan of Hella Jongerius so it was love at first sight when I first saw her XL Polder Sofa for Vitra in a magazine in 2005. Its name and shape reference the ‘polder’ landscape of the Netherlands, where land is reclaimed from the sea using long horizontal dykes and intersecting drainage canals. Hella Jongerius not only designed the sofa but also curated the textiles for the upholstery.

Where is lounging/seating going in the future? What directions in technology, manufacture, material and form have you identified?

BassamFellows has developed a system that uses progressively softer density cushions the closer the cushion comes to the body, in a combination of duck down and fibre.

It makes the lounging experience supple and sumptuous, even though the lines of the sofa can be refined and austere.

The fashion industry is leading the way in smart textiles and wearable technology and it will inevitably filter through to furniture design with fabrics that light up and

change colour. Perhaps one day you will be able have your favourite scent infused into the lounge upholstery. It is an interesting area of development and will create some new and creative designs in future.

What are the benefits/purpose of lounging?

It’s really about taking some time out – like meditation after a long day. Even a stolen moment flicking through a magazine can give you the break you need to recharge your batteries.

There is something about lounging that is intensely private.

It’s an activity you only ever do alone or in the company of those closest to you, so in a way it’s quite intimate. how have you seen lounging design change during your time in the industry?

There has been a move away from big bulky lounges towards minimal shapes. Modular sofas and smaller sofa units have become the norm as we live in smaller spaces and require flexible lounge options. We have also seen a move away from the traditional 3-piece suite towards the arrangements of sofas with feature chairs.

What is your favourite all-time lounge and why?

My all-time favourite has been a classic tan leather Chesterfield. You can call me daggy, but I love the look of them – they are so classic and timeless.

What is your favourite thing to do on your lounge?

Reading my book with a pot of tea beside me and then succumbing to the comfort and taking a cat nap. Heaven! how much time do you spend lounging?

Not nearly enough! As there is quite a bit of travel involved in my work, time on my own sofa is a little too infrequent. I have learnt to take rest in small doses. At the moment we’re renovating an old country house and my plan is to make sure my husband and I get at least two weekends a month there to chill out on our sofa.