One of our favourite chairs, the Campus from Lammhults turns 20 this year. Launched in 1992, the stackable and linkable chair was the product that put Lammhults on the map and has since been used in projects and homes around the world.

Past projects where Tangram has used the Campus chair include; the Easterhouse Arts Centre (Glasgow), Fruitmarket Gallery café (Edinburgh), Glasgow University Chapel (pictured above), Glencoe Visitor Centre (Highlands), and just last week, Loudons Café and Bakery (Edinburgh). Which goes to show good design never goes out of fashion!

If you would like more info on the Campus chair, please phone or email us on +44 (0)131 5566551 or info@tangramfurnishers.co.uk

We are proud to have recently supplied furniture for the SMART Consultants’ new gallery space in Aberdeen. The gallery shares the space with associated partner Covell Matthews Architects.

The SMART gallery opened at the end of March, with an exhibition of ‘post-digital’ screenprints by Mark McCracken. You can see more photos of the gallery and its current exhibition on their Facebook page.

SMART Consultants run art projects and support established and emerging artists/designers by providing platforms to exhibit and sell their work to the wider community of Aberdeen and beyond.

Photo: The SMART gallery, April 2012. Artworks by Mark McCracken, furniture from Tangram.

Below is my latest ‘Designers of our time’ column, which features in ESPC’s March 2012 Premier Living magazine. In this issue I survey the career of Marcel Wanders, a Dutchman who has become renowned for his original designs that exude individuality and humour. 

Enjoy, Julian
___________

Marcel Wanders is a product and interior designer who began his career with the innovative Dutch design house, Droog. He won international recognition for his iconic Knotted Chair (several of which featured at the launch of the Missoni Hotel in Edinburgh). In 2000 Marcel co-founded Moooi and he remains responsible for art direction and corporate identity. He has designed furniture, lighting, textiles, wallpaper and accessories, often including an unexpected design quirk (the Financial Times has spoken about his ‘exuberant creativity’). 

Marcel Wanders is increasingly involved in architectural and interior design projects around the world. His sense of the theatrical is visible in buildings as diverse as the Mondrian Hotel in Miami, the Villa Moda store in Bahrain and houses in Amsterdam and Jakarta.

The Marcel Wanders ‘brand’ has become ubiquitous as he now designs for global brands and leading furniture companies including B&B Italia, Cappellini, Flos and Magis, KLM, Google, and M.A.C cosmetics. Most recently he has launched a collection of homewares for Marks & Spencer, ranging from cake stands to candlesticks. His products can be found in many design museums around the world and he has won numerous awards in recognition of designs that are innovative and characterful.

Last night we hosted the Scottish launch of the new Republic of Fritz Hansen™ stacking chair collection. The showroom was transformed for the evening with a curated chair installation (above), projections and Scandinavian food and drink – visitors were also encouraged to try their hand at wooden veneer craft, with some great results! Thanks to all who attended, and a big congratulations to Caroline Bruce who won the Series 7™ chair prize draw!

Branded ‘It’s All About Wood’, the relaunch coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Ant™ chair, the first pressure moulded veneer chair designed by Arne Jacobsen and produced by Fritz Hansen – and the predecessor to his future designs including the iconic Series 7™(1955) and Grand Prix™ (1957).  

The stacking chairs are now available in 9 different types of wood, each with its own unique wood grain pattern. The veneers are; Maple, Ash, Beech, Cherry, Oregon pine, Elm, Oak, Walnut and Dark Stained Oak. Nine new colour variations have also been launched to complement the wooden veneers variations and these include: white, light grey, dark grey, black, yellow, orange, red, petrol blue and sage green. The colour variations are inspired by the original colour pallet developed by Arne Jacobsen for the design in 1968.

If you couldn’t make it to the event, you can still come and view the installation which will be on for the most of this month. As always, if you have any queries regarding any of the products mentioned on this blog, please phone or email us on +44 (0)131 5566551 or info@tangramfurnishers.co.uk

 

Tangram is proud to be hosting the Scottish launch of the new Republic of Fritz Hansen™ Series 7™ chair collection, at an event on Tuesday 28th February from 5.30pm.

Our Edinburgh showroom will be made over for the occasion in a tribute to all things Fritz Hansen™, with refreshments, music and projections all paying homage to the brand's Scandinavian heritage. There will also be an informal presentation on the new collection by Sales Consultant Patrick Fairfield from the world-renowned brand. 

Presented for the first time in Scotland, the new Series 7 collection celebrates the design's natural beauty as the chair is brought back into its original form in a series of wooden veneer variations. The natural material was the original material chosen by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen to furnish the Series 7 design at its launch in 1958 and is an important part of Scandinavian design history.

The nine new veneer finishes include: Maple, Ash, Beech, Cherry, Oregon pine, Elm, Oak, Walnut and Dark Stained Oak. Nine new colour variations are also being launched to complement the wooden veneers variations and these include: white, light grey, dark grey, black, yellow, orange, red, petrol blue and sage green. The colour variations are, furthermore, inspired by the original colour pallet developed by Arne Jacobsen for the design in 1968.

STUA is thrilled to announce a new addition to its design furniture collection, the Laclasica chair. Designed by the company’s founder Jesús Gasca, Laclasica is a wooden chair that combines all the traditional principles of classical chairs, and translates them into a pure and contemporary design.

According to their website, “Laclasica is curvy like our human body and mimics its shape to convey its sensuality and cosiness. 

“A wooden chair is the ultimate design, using the noble and natural material provided by Mother Nature. And when combined with modern technology, in a sensual and fluid design, like the Laclasica chair, it becomes a piece of art and a beautiful furniture piece.”

Laclasica is made of solid and molded ash plywood, and aluminum. Tangram is awaiting arrival of samples of the chair which will be available in the showroom soon. For enquiries please phone or email us on +44 (0)131 5566551 or info@tangramfurnishers.co.uk

This time of the year always prompts a flurry of ‘Best of’ lists, so this year we thought we would join in the festivities and compile our own. In no particular order, here are our ten favourite new products from 2011:

1. FAVN sofa, FRITZ HANSEN

2. Extension chair, MOOOI

3. Birdie lamp, FOSCARINI

4. Morph Lounge chair, ZEITRAUM

5. Marocco rug, KASTHALL

6. Happy sofa, SWEDESE

7. Satellite acoustic panels, STUA

8. Tea chair, SANCAL

9. Lutetia sofa, MAXALTO

10. Windsor chair collection, MATTHEW HILTON (DE LA ESPADA)

1. TITANIA (Luceplan). Grey metal suspension light, includes 5 pairs of coloured filters.
   Dimensions: L70 x W27 x H8cm
   List price: £289 Sale price: £160
2. TRAMA (Luceplan). Classic ceiling light with aluminium body and polycarbonate diffuser. 
   Dimensions: Ø50 x H16cm
   List price: £291 Sale price: £80
3. HAPPY HAPPY (Luceplan). Opal-coloured suspension light made from polyethylene.
   Dimensions: L142 x W23 x H16cm
   List price: £431 Sale price: £40
4. STRIP (Luceplan). Low profile rectangular wall or ceiling light in polished aluminium finish.
   Dimensions:  L74 x W38.5cm 
   List price: £344 Sale price: £80
5. PIATTO (Luceplan). Elegant white lamp made from die-cast aluminium. 2 available
   Dimensions: L43 x W28 x H6cm
   List price: £147each Sale price: £50each
6. GOGGLE (Luceplan). Brightly coloured goggle-shaped wall light 
   Dimensions: L32 x W14 x H18cm 
   List price: £78 Sale price: £10
7. COSTANZINA (Luceplan). Aluminium frame with shade in choice of orange, blue, red or green. Dimensions: Ø260 (lampshade) x H54cm
   List price: £159 Sale price: £50
8. C-SPOT (Luceplan). Polycarbonate suspension light with stainless steel stem. 2 available
   Dimensions:  Ø11 x H24cm
   List price: £93 Sale price: £20each
9. CAGE (Diesel with Foscarini). Suspension light made of a white lacquered metal cage and black internal glass shade. Dimensions: Ø34 x H69cm (Max cable length 200cm)
   List price: £395 Sale price: £249
10. DUCK (Artemide). Silver-coloured adjustable desk lamp.
    Dimensions: H49 x W37cm
    List price: £236 Sale price: £50
11. BEAT LIGHT TALL (Tom Dixon). Slim brass pendant light in black lacquer finish.
    Dimensions:  Ø19 x H36cm
    List price: £230 Sale price: £130
12. BEAT LIGHT FAT (Tom Dixon). Brass pendant light in black lacquer finish.
    Dimensions:  Ø24 x H30cm
    List price: £230 Sale price: £130
13. CABOCHE PICCOLA (Foscarini). Wall light composed of numerous transparent spheres.
    Dimensions:  Ø18 x H20 x W31cm
    List price: £290 Sale price: £140
14. MIKADO (Artemide). Adjustable and rotatable wall light in aluminium, with grey lacquer finish. Dimensions:  Ø16 x H18cm
    List price: £225 Sale price: £20

We've just added a wide range of lighting to the Sale. All are ex-display items, in mint condition – some haven't even been taken out of their boxes! If you are interested in any of the products please contact us by email or phone (info@tangramfurnishers.co.uk / 0131 5566551), or alternatively, come along to the showroom and view them for yourself! 

Please note: All prices include VAT but exclude delivery. Also, Lamps are not included with most items.

 

We have a selection of ex-display items which are available to purchase at significant discounts. If you are interested in any of the products please contact us by email or phone (info@tangramfurnishers.co.uk / 0131 5566551) and if you would like to come and view them in the showroom, you are more than welcome.

1. Piccola Papilio chair (B&B Italia). Swivel easychair in black felt. 
   Dimensions: W69 x D76 x H80cm (seat 36cm)
   List price: £1557 Sale price: £1157
2. Big Bold candelabra (Moooi). Oversized black steel candelabra. 
   Dimensions: W92 x D36 x H113cm
   List price: £756 Sale price: £399
3. Egoa chair (Stua). Desk chair on castors, upholstered in black leather, chrome frame
   Dimensions: W51 x D54 x H83cm
   List price: £644 Sale price: £499
4. Boo chairs (Blå Station). Two lime green stackable chairs with shells made from formfelt. Dimensions: W53 x D53 x H80cm ( seat 45.5cm)
   List price: £452 each Sale price: £152 each
5. Jim chair (Montis). Dining chair, upholstered in black leather, chrome frame 
   Dimensions: W40 x D51 x H84cm (seat 46cm)
   List price: £600 Sale price: £150
6. Low-Pad chair (Cappellini). Grey felt lounge chair with stainless steel frame.
   Dimensions:  W57.5 x D70 x H75cm (seat 35cm)
   List price: £1149 Sale price: £649
7. See  #4
8. Code 2 shelves (Zeitraum). White laminate shelving system (chip on bottom corner). 
   Dimensions: L178 x W30 x H80cm
   List price: £1237 Sale price: £699
9. Cooper table (Lammhults). Coffee table with walnut veneer table top.
   Dimensions: L80 x W70 x H45cm
   List price: £630 Sale price: £210
10. Anemone table (Tonelli). White lacquered glass table with white lacquered metal base. 
    Dimensions: L50 x W50 x H55cm
    List price: £414 Sale price: £199
11. He table (Sancal). Tempered white glass coffee table with chrome frame.
    Dimensions: L70 x W70 x H45cm
    List price:£476 Sale Price: £176
12. Lim table (MDF Italia). Frosted glass coffee table with natural anodized frame.
    Dimensions: L60 x W60 x H30cm
    List price: £1197 Sale price: £297
13. Pey table and cabinet (Mobles 114). 
    Table: White laminate top with white steel frame. Dimensions: L160 x W80 x H74cm
    Pedestal cabinet: with drawers, key and castors. Dimensions: W42 x D59 x H59cm   
    List price: £1491 (bundle) Sale price: £971 (bundle)
14. City Casual sofa (Sancal).  Grey microfibre sofa with chaise longue and stainless steel feet. Dimensions: W225 x L247 x H59cm (seat 43cm)
    List price: £3760 Sale price: £2260
15. Hope chandelier (Luceplan). Suspension light made up of transparent polycarbonate panels.Dimensions: Ø69 x H41.5cm
    List price: £967 Sale price: £483
16. Behive lamp (Foscarini). White polycarbonate table lamp.
    Dimensions: Ø40 x H40cm
    List price: £402 Sale price: £340
17. Cage Rocket lamp (Foscarini w/ Diesel). White table lamp made from blown glass and lacquered metal. Dimensions: W17cm x H33cm
    List price: £249 Sale price: £149
18. Void lamp (Tom Dixon). Hand polished stainless steel pendant light.
    Dimensions: Ø30 x H15.5cm
    List price: £285 Sale price: £185  
19. Moss rug (Kasthall). Black and white mottled pile rug made from wool yarn and linen threads. Dimensions: L250 x W180cm (pile height 4cm)
    List price: £2101 Sale price: £1575
20. Arkad rug (Kasthall). Black and white wide-striped woven rug, made from 100% wool. 
    Dimensions: L280 x W135cm (ref: image #13)
    List price: £1035 Sale Price: £635
21. Twiggy lamp (Foscarini). Red lacquered table lamp on a fibreglass base.
    Dimensions: L76 x H55/63cm
    List price: £364 Sale price: £254

The most recent addition to our portfolio is a Vancouver-based design and manufacturing group, Bensen. 

Founded by Danish-born Niels Bendtsen in 1981, Bensen produce a seamless collection of furniture that is able to consider nature and mould it to the needs of efficiency and comfort.

Bendtsen has spent his life in the furniture industry. After leaving school he apprenticed with his cabinetmaker father, then opened the first of a series of interiors outlets – Danet (1963, in West Vancouver), then Inform Interiors (1984) – that have evolved over the decades into his current outpost, the 30,000-square-foot Omer Arbel-designed (Bocci) space on Water Street, where his Bensen line is featured. 

A new Bensen collection has recently been launched in Europe. Highlights include the Homework desk, Brix storage and Edward sofa (pictured above), all of which are proving popular with Tangram clients.

If you would more information on the Bensen range please get in touch.