Designer Series: Eero Saarinen

Eero Saarinen (August 20, 1910-September 1, 1961) our second in the “Designer Series” he was one of the masters of American 20th Century design, remembered not only for his furniture but also his inventive and unique architecture. Born in Kirkkonmmi, Finland to Eliel Saarinen, also a notable architect and designer, and Louise Gesellius, a finish sculptress. (I will ad more to this latter)

The Womb Chair

Tulip Set

Grasshopper Chair


JFK Airport

TWA Terminal at Dulles


ST Louis Arch

Designer Series: Arne Jacobsen

When we think of furniture; those esteemed designers must also be included in our thoughts. To look at their careers, contributions and the way they mentored the past goes hand in hand. Who should we start with? Of all those people a few have had lasting affect, Arne Jacobsen is with whom I start my look. His contributions had been great and many, in fact I could not imagine excluding a Seven Series chair from the list of items to stock in our store!

Arne Emil Jacobsen (February, 11, 1902-March 24, 1971) has been called the “Father of Danish Modern Design”. His contributions to the modern movement has been widespread and legendary. He is best known for his chair designs, simple, creative and effective. Most are still in production to this day.

Arne Jacobsen was born to an upper-middle class family in Copenhagen. He had originally aspired to become a painter, his father was concerned about a future in this field and suggested he study architecture. In 1924, after a short stint as an apprentice mason, he was accepted to the Architecture School at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts studying under the esteemed Kay Fisker and Kaj Gottlob. During his scholastic time, Jacobson entered a chair design in the 1925 Paris Art Deco fair, Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, winning a silver medal. Le Corbusier's L'Esprit Nouveau pavilion had caused a stir at the exposition and had struck the young Jacobsen. Upon one of the worst building sites the Pavillon de L'Esprit Nouveau was erected. This modern and stark structure would inspire many of the future designers and architect's, boxy furnishings, paintings of Juan Gris and Jacques Lipchitz sculptures created an environment that was unique, original and functioned.

House of the Future 1929

A trip to Germany would introduce the architecture of Mies Van der Rohe and Walter Gropius to the young architectural student. Jacobsen would draw on their influences through his early career and to create his graduation project, an art gallery, for which he won a gold medal. After graduating he worked with Poul Holsoe at his Copenhagen office for three years. Jacobsen and Flemming Lassen collaborated on the design for a “House of the Future” in 1929. Their design won the competition and was constructed for an exhibition in the Copenhagen Forum. A glass and concrete spiral design house with a flat roof that featured a private garage, helicopter landing pad and boat house. Other features of the house included: windows rolled down like car windows, automated vacuumed doormat to remove dust and dirt as you walked across it, a tube to transport mail and a kitchen stocked with ready-made meals. To finish off the project a Dodge Cabriolet Coupe was parked in the garage, Chris-Craft speed boat for the boathouse and a Auto gyro on the roof. Ultra-modern was the resulting reputation that the men enjoyed and launched Jacobsen to prominence.

Jacobsen in one of his Egg Chairs

Shortly after winning the competition Arne Jacobsen formed his own practice, one that would continue until his death in 1971. Architectural design was the focus, however he liked to design all elements and his works touched as much of an interior as it did the exterior even to the gardens. In 1932 the Bellevue Sea Bath, opened. For the first time a large public project had been completed. He designed everything, from the blue-striped lifeguard towers, kiosks and changing cabins to the tickets and even the uniforms worn by the staff. Later a residential development and the Bellevue Theater. Concrete, glass and open floor plans are to be found. The theater features a retractable roof. All void of ornament, straightforward clean design that establishes Jacobsen as a leader in the International Modern movement. As the 1930's came to a close the practice began to slow, raw material shortages and the concern for the future began to affect the Danish economy.

The Ant Chair 1951

Germany attacked Denmark on April 9, 1940 and quickly overran their forces. At first the occupation was cooperative, allowing the Danish government to remain in power and prevent, German Military Court jurisdiction over Danish citizens, the transfer of Danish troupes to the German military and the persecution of the Jewish population. However in the summer of 1943 the government is dissolved and a rumored planned deportation of Danish Jews becomes known. Due to Jacobsen's Jewish heritage he must go into exile along with nearly all of Denmark's 8,000 Jews. In a small row boat he made the journey across Oresund to Sweden and spent the next two years in exile completing a summer home for two doctors and designed fabric and wall paper.

Lobby of the SAS Royal Hotel taken after 1960.

After the war, Denmark was in ruin. Mass destruction had occurred and public and private structures needed to be built quickly. The simple and spartan designs that Jacobsen had been known for before the war could be quickly built. Slowly his career got back on track and by the early 1950's interesting commissions are landed.

The Series Seven Chair 1955

Swan Chair and Sofa Created for the SAS Royal 1958

The 3-legged narrow backed Ant chair is created from a bent plywood sheet for the Novo pharmaceutical factory expansion in 1951. Several other chairs evolve into the the Seven Series chair of 1955. Inspired by the work of Charles and Ray Emes with their clever use of plywood. The chairs met the demands of modern life, light, stack able and could be produced cheaply.
In 1956 the SAS Royal Hotel project allowed Jacobsen to again design everything, the building, furniture, even the ashtrays and shuttle buses. From this project came the Egg and Swan designs. Throughout his career a collaborative effort was made with manufactures to create, first a lighting line in 1934 with Louis Poulsen, then the furniture production.

Egg Chair 1958

Today we can enjoy the works of not only Arne Jacobsen but those he inspired. He died unexpectedly in 1971 with several large projects in the works. His architecture, for the most part, still stands. His furniture has remained in production. A true designer legend.

What is Eclectic?

The term Eclectic describes a style of decoration (at least in this case) that will playfully mix various styles, eras and materials to achieve a unique look. The photo above shows a stark contemporary bed in a "mock Baroque" room with a mirror and pair of sconces of that period. This style can be very complicated to manipulate into a successful room, however some folks have natural ability to use the Eclectic.

What is Transitional?

The bridge between the Contemporary and Traditional theme is Transitional. Here we find concepts that form a soft modern look that is extremely versatile. Clean straight lines, soft fabrics and simple finishes make up the elements, though plush fabrics and even exotic woods can be found. Ornamentation is at a minimum with emphasis placed on simplicity and ease of function. After all, a room that doesn't function is worthless.

It is possible to create an environment that appeals to a wide spectrum of tastes using the Transitional theme. It is no wonder that this category is the largest of the four and a name often taken up by manufacturers or stores wanting to capitalize on the Contemporary without compromising their Traditional clients.

Often it is a fine line between the four design themes, Traditional, Contemporary, Transitional and Eclectic, some folks just mix the styles freely and with much success.

What is Traditional?

Traditional Design can be one of the most misunderstood of the four main design themes. It is made from classic elements that can incorporate carving and often exotic woods or finishes. Plush fabrics, often used in combinations even mixing leather and fabric. As with Contemporary, it is open to personal interpretation.

By its name alone, Traditional design should look to the past and re-interpret design in a way familiar, yet new. However this can become diluted and the graceful, elegant models that inspired the piece can translate into bulky disproportionate examples. We all know that big rooms need big furniture, more often than not, traditional designs meet this requirement. Many succesful rooms are created with this category of design, for a softer look we may consider "Transitional Design".

What is Contemporary?

Contemporary furniture can be interpreted in so many ways. In fact ask four people what they think contemporary is and you will get four different view points, even from professionals. With this in mind it is important to remember that any design form is open to personal interpretation. Our first image is of a colorful cafe or bar, there is no question that this is contemporary. It is fresh, bold and "today".

Clean lines and monotone color schemes are also associated with Contemporary Design. Depending on the room, the person and the lifestyle can be helpful in choosing what kind of design to feature in your home. White is HOT right now, especially when used with gray and black, it is not a color scheme for the active family! Best left to the single folks or DINK's (double-income-no-kids).

Exotic woods and earthy elements can also be used to create a contemporary setting, one that is soft and elegant, yet still current. This type of color scheme is much more versatile and also one that is growing in popularity. Shiny elements are often exchanged for oil-bronze type finishes.

What is Contemporary? In a nut-shell it is clean designs that can incorporate curves, color and unique forms all that should function to the needs of the occupants. Though each of the three photos would be considered "very contemporary", it gives us an idea where to start. There will be more later!