Co-Lab. SUMMER 2014 A collaboration between Chairloom & Flat Vernacular
Co-Lab. / SUMMER 2014 A collaboration between Chairloom & Flat Vernacular
Last summer, Flat Vernacular, a Brooklyn-based design company that specializes in original hand-drawn, hand-printed, and one-of-a-kind wallpapers, approached us to see if we’d work with them to create 40 unique dining chairs for a series of parties to mark the launch of their emerging textile line and their new home decor business, Department of Decoration. Flat Vernacular’s mantras: pattern is best & pattern makes perfect rang true for us upon first hearing them. Flat Vernacular’s bold approach to wallpaper and textile design felt kindred in spirit to Chairloom’s personality and design sensibility. Although not our first collaboration with Flat Vernacular, the 40 dining room chair project was a unique opportunity to create pieces that would emphasize unexpected creativity in the area of furniture refinishing and textile design. We suggested a collection of 40 chairs of various styles and periods that would become a unified set through our collaborative design approach.
Flat vernacular / the 2014 dining room collection pinned up in the chairloom showroom
We proposed sanding the wood frames down to the natural wood and partially ‘dipping’ the chairs in paint for a bold look. Much to our surprise, Flat Vernacular, too, were experimenting with powder-coated ‘dipped’ tableware that would be introduced at the May launch. Together, we worked to pair Flat Vernacular’s new designs with our furniture inventory. With the direction and vision of our colleague, Alika Potts, we selected a palette of paints that felt fresh and would best compliment Brian and Payton’s textiles. Then we set to the daunting task of sanding all 40 pieces down to the raw wood before we could being to paint, upholster and deliver the set of chairs to the Highline Hotel in New York City for five festive evenings with the Spring Street Social Society. The pages to follow are a documentation of this lovely collaborative project. Each chair was beautifully photographed by Rachel McGinn. The chairs are available for sale via Chairloom. — Molly Andrews & Tracy Jenkins
Dining Room: Revelation / Five nights of revelry at the Highline Hotel in New York City
before & after...
Co-Lab. / SUMMER 2014 A collaboration between Chairloom & Flat Vernacular photography: Rachel McGinn / http://rachelmcginnphotography.com
Chairloom / http://chairloom.com Once was lost, now is found. There are two guiding principles behind our work: 1. The value of being found — we cherish the craftsmanship and good bones beneath faded and timeworn textiles. 2. The importance of and possibility inherent in second chances. We specialize in sourcing vintage and antique seating which we offer for sale along with expert reupholstery and restoration services. We have a constantly evolving textile library on view in our showroom, enabling our clients to reinvent their heirlooms — or ours — customizing each piece from head to toe.
Flat Vernacular / http://flatvernacular.com Flat Vernacular is a Brooklyn-based design company that specializes in original hand-drawn, hand-printed, and one of a kind wallpapers. Founded by Payton Cosell Turner & Brian Kaspr in 2010, Flat Vernacular has made thoughtful art and design available to everyone. We endeavor to keep a consistent conversation open between fine art and design within all of our creations, Keeping one foot firmly in fine art and one in design allows for our visual capabilities and design skills to remain expansive yet thoughtful.