A simple plan

The Hope sofa and armchair collection is all about the crucial meeting point between form and function. Designed to be the quintessential do-it-all seating solution, these pieces segue effortlessly between corporate, retail and residential spaces.

When designing the range – one of the brand’s first forays into furniture – co-founder and head of design Kevin Frankental wanted to appeal widely, while ticking the comfort and style boxes. “The challenge with the Hope was to design a sofa with a slim profile, delicate arms and a slim frame while maintaining optimal comfort. We also wanted a product that could work equally well and look good in a home or an office,” says Frankental.

Its apparent simplicity belies a meticulous design process that places attention to detail at the very forefront. “It has small details you only notice when you look closely. For example, the arms protrude past the back, giving it a very interesting silhouette from certain angles. The depth of the sofa is comfortable enough to lounge in but it’s also great to have a relaxed meeting in,” comments Frankental. Like all of Lemon’s products, it’s about simple design that’s easy on the eye and functions well. And in that same spirit of ease, it’s available in multiple sizes and fabrics.

Despite being one of the first furniture collections from Lemon, Hope is as relevant and universal in its appeal as when it was fabricated.

The beauty of the Hope lies precisely in this versatility – a characteristic that Lemon aims to instil in each of its designs, thereby ensuring all pieces work harmoniously together, regardless of what collection they’re from. And while the Hope looks effortlessly elegant with any of the pieces from Lemon’s now quite extensive range, Frankental particularly likes Hope’s simple linear silhouette paired with the striking texture of the Vondel, the clean sophistication of the Promenade unit, and the strong solidity of the Chelmsford coffee table.

The universality of the Hope range is in part due to its roots in 1960s design, which gives it a timeless appeal. Created in collaboration with Yaniv Chen of Master Studio, the range owes its proportions and detailing to Italian styling from this era. “When Yaniv conceptualised the piece, he was inspired by Italian design of the late 60s – this is where the piping detail in the cushion originates from. We then worked together to refine the proportions over a period of six months. Everyone who sits in the Hope is always absolutely amazed by how comfortable it is. You don’t want to get up,” says Frankental.

While the design draws on Italian design, its name is entirely South African. Named after one of Frankental’s favourite roads in Johannesburg, his hometown, it’s a nod to Lemon’s ongoing commitment to producing proudly local design and putting South African craftsmanship and creators on the global map. www.lemon.za.com