Design experts continually look to the masses hoping to predict the up-and-coming trends. Most of the time, specialist publications do a great job rounding-up what is next on the docket. From modern furniture designs to contemporary twists, trends can be a hit or miss for many. However, sometimes the design industry can get so wrapped up in trying to create something “new” that we lose sight of the basics.
Basic designs should always include a myriad of things: quality and durability. If a designer is innovating something, they should never sacrifice one for the other. Instead, they must hit the sweet spot where both quality and durability meet. Quality and durability rely primarily on the materials and how the design incorporates them in the final product. Also, if you hope to keep your freshly acquired piece for years to come, customers need products that stand the test of time.
Along with finding attractive designs, these designs also respect the environment by lasting for many years. It is these eco-conscious decisions that will help push designers to create pieces that revolutionize the industry while appealing to consumers. If you hope to join us in the movement, here is where we see classic design transformed into the new modern world.
Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi (known as Campanino), Chiavarina chair, 1807
According to some, Marquis Rivarola “brought with him a lightweight chair with a wicker seat from Paris … which had enjoyed great success … at the time of the French Directorate” (E. Bacceschi, 1986). That chair design spawned the “classic Chiavarina” which was used to furnish noble residences for over 150 years until it became the focal point of the great era of Fifties Milanese architecture. The chair was even used by Gardella, Caccia Dominioni, and Albini.
Today, manufacturers across the world sell the design in bulk. If you are looking to add this classic design into your home, make sure you find quality work. These chairs are an excellent option for minimalistic or Scandinavian interior designs.
Arne Jacobsen, Egg chair, Fritz Hansen, 1958
Perhaps one of the most infamous chair designs of the 20th century, the Egg Chair by Fritz Hansen was designed for the lounge of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. It was a revolutionary design because of its extremely unique design, comfortable shape, and its thin inner shell. In the present day, it is still one of the most recognizable designs ever created.
Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Arco floor lamp, Flos, 1962
Speaking of classics, one of the most recognized objects in Italian design is the Arco floor lamp. Designed as a central ceiling light alternative, Arco is still used in homes everywhere. Named for its “arc,” the design also beams the light directly towards where it needs to shine. Whether you use it in a reading nook or for table lighting, it’s beam range is a major positive for accent lighting.
De Pas, D’Urbino, Lomazzi, Sciangai folding clothes stand, Zanotta, 1973
The 1970s was an era of design that transformed the way we saw the most ordinary household objects. One example of this is the Sciangai. The typological invention is reminiscent of the famous game of pick-up sticks and even won the Golden Compass Award in 1979. While the Sciangai might have initially been seen as a fun and playful object, it is now a real “interior design sculpture.”
Paolo Rizzatto, Costanza floor and table lamp, Luceplan, 1986
If you want to find a newer design that re-imagined a classic, look no further than Rizzatto’s Costanza floor and table lamp. The Costanza is a stripped-down version of the classic shaded lamp that uses cutting-edge materials. It truly is a “contemporary classic.” You can find many takes on this design wherever you go, which is what makes this design even more of a classic than it was before.
Bruno Rainaldi, Original Ptolomeo bookcase, Opinion Ciatti, 2003
As we look to newer takes on the classics, Ptolomeo stands tall. This design by Rainaldi proves that there is more innovation to look forward to as the years come. The Ptolomeo bookcase transforms the typical bookcase into a sculpture of its own, that, once filled with books, the column structure is entirely invisible. It revolutionized the world of contemporary furnishing and also won a Golden Compass Award in 2004.
Discover the Classics at San Francisco Design
Let the experts at San Francisco Design help you find the classic pieces to incorporate into your space. Whether you need modern furnishings to update your home or want to add something special, we have a range of products to choose from. Come and visit our showroom or schedule an appointment with one of our interior designers to learn more.
