Panton at 50

“A chair must be dynamic – one should sit on it comfortably.” Verner Panton


Fifty years ago, Danish designer Verner Panton (1926-1998) designed the first single mold plastic chair with a curvaceous profile called the Panton chair. It was Panton who first realised the potential for moulded plastic design.


Verner Panton (third from the left) photo source

Though Panton first had the idea for his chair as early as 1960, it wasn’t until the latter end of the decade that its American manufacturer, Herman Miller, found the means to mass produce it. When finally introduced to the mass market in 1967, the chair was often cited as the foremost example of the new vanguard of Modernist design. This original Herman Miller Panton Chair – also commonly referred to as the Stacking chair and the “S” chair – was rendered using a single piece of “S” shaped cantilevered plastic which was later fitted-out with a reinforced lacquered integument.




To celebrate 50 years of the Panton chair Vitra UK had a competition for architects and designers. They were given a white Panton chair to customise in any way they liked. The only rule was that it must still be moveable.

First place Jump Studios


Second Ben Adams Architects


Third Maris Interior

Photo source Vitra


Verner Panton and I

Stretch Chairs by Jessica Carnevale

Found these on Another blog

Strech chairs by Jessica Carnevale

VERY GOOD & PROPER Canteen Utility Chair

Measure twice, cut once

We came across this chair by Ed Carpenter of Very Good and Proper when it was first introduced to the Canteen restaurant In Spitialfelds.


Popup Canteen Resturant at 100% Design show

The simple chair goes hand in hand with the simple British food philosophy of the Canteen Restaurant. Now 4 restaurants later Canteen has brought out a book called Great British Food where you can recreate some British classics .



Last year we were pleased to see that the canteen chair and table was launched  at The Dock during London Design Festival.

Inspired by the ubiquitous post war school chair. Powder coated steel frame married to a pressed beech plywood seat and back. Light weight, stack able, with our without seat pad.

The Canteen Utility Chair at The Dock


Hooray the chair is now availble to buy at Liberty

Tropicalia Seating

As part of the Moroso installation came across furniture from Patricia Urquiola. Here is her Tropicalia collection for Moroso.

Loving the colours, pattern using woven plastics and leathers.

TENT LONDON

Last week saw us going to design shows back to back and with it being the annual London Design Festival there was certainly more than usual to feast our eyes.


Over the weekend we went to TENT which was at the Truman Brewery. We loved this user friendly exhibition showcasing the best in contemporary and vintage products and furniture.





We like this quirky and surreal tea set by Tina Tsang.



In the Circa area loved these original Dax Shell Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames.