We feel spoilt for sunshine at the moment, why not jump on our hasty bandwagon and indulge in a little spring daydreaming. Granted it is nippy, but the need for sunglasses dictates that there is a good mood to be had if you set aside the British cynicism where weather is concerned. This week we are waiting for the arrival of the new season furniture collections which are so close we can barely contain our excitement. The season is bursting at the seams with inspirational design and packed full of seasonal trends and iconic classics alike.
Fortunately we don’t have to wait any longer to get a peek at some of the classics that will be gracing our patio this spring. Today we dedicate our post to the iconic designs of Richard Schultz and invite you to fast-forward to hotter climes, or don the thermal leggings and enjoy with a steaming cup of hot cocoa now. With white remaining a popular trend for the season ahead, you can’t go wrong with a design that has been adored and worshipped for nearly 50 years.
1966 Series
We love a rich provenance here at Talking Shop and this collection is a real treat. With an inspiring heritage and a long-standing legacy, the 1966 collection of timeless outdoor furniture is high on our list of must-haves this year. Formally named the ‘Leisure Collection’, and Designed by Richard Schultz in 1966, this series of tables, chairs and loungers were commissioned by Florence Knoll in an attempt to find a collection of stylish furniture able to withstand the corrosive salt air at her Florida home. True to his reputation for designing modern furniture with sculptural form, the series demonstrated a clean approach to outdoor living and embodied all the understated trappings of the Bauhaus movement championed by Florence Knoll herself. Not only has this durable collection survived decades of wear, it has also stood the test of time as a design classic, an iconic series that sits as well in the 1960s as it does in the modern landscape. Take a look at the collection here.
1966 Armless Dining Chair, £876
Included in the permanent design collection at MoMA, New York, this enduring design took four years to perfect, and the design has remained unchanged to the present day. Using the best modern materials, the collection is made from Teflon thread, stainless steel, aluminium and powder coat paint which results in the finest finish and robust resistance to weather, pollution, scratching and peeling.
Florence Knoll
Florence Knoll was born in 1917 and is one of the most iconic and influential designers the world has seen. Credited with the hefty feat of defining the look and feel of modern corporate interiors in the mid 20th century, Knoll was trained as an architect and interior designer and is famed for applying rational thought to design. Working with her husband Hans Knoll, they set up Knoll Associates in 1946 and together revolutionised design with an energetic eye for interior space. A protégé of Eero Saarinen, Florence Knoll employed a practice of ‘Total Design’ which harmonised architecture, interior design, textiles, graphics, advertising and presentation. A feisty figure if ever we saw one!
Richard Schultz Petal Dining Table, £2,412
Richard Schultz has an equally striking career and a glittering CV of design achievements. In addition to the 1966 collection for Florence Knoll, he worked alongside Harry Bertoia to design the prominent Petal table in 1960. Emblematic of the sculptural quality of 1960s modern design, and intended to accompany the iconic Knoll Bertoia wire chair, the petal table combined cast aluminium ‘spider’ legs with eight beautifully formed petals. This classic garden design embodies Schultz’s signature aesthetic; the incorporation of design, sculpture and art in one piece. Having set up a firm with his son in 1992, Richard Schultz designs and manufactures furniture with a timeless quality and enduring appeal. Take a look at his video biography here.
So there is your lesson for Monday. Granted it isn’t quite time to get the barbecue out but you could do worse than invest in an iconic design that will see you through a lifetime of outdoor entertaining. To help you on your way The Conran Shop is offering FREE UK DELIVERY on all furniture and lighting orders so you can snap yours up now and be ready for when it does heat up. Shop now!