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No sharp edges: the latest trend in upholstered furniture

Pia Seidel
31.10.2022
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Pia Seidel

Forget boxy sofas pressed up against the wall. There’s a new, sculpture-like kind of upholstered furniture on the scene – and it’s prompting us to rethink the way we design indoor spaces.

Although they all look different, there’s something they have in common. The armchairs and sofas I’m seeing at Bohinc, Atelier L’inconnu, Sancal, Khaled El Mays and in our profuct range have little to no right angles. Instead, they’re wavy, crooked or puffed up. The designs are inspired by natural elements. Maybe that’s why they’d rather form a dynamic living room arrangement in themselves than be relegated to the confines of a static wall.

Huggable seating by Bohinc

When you sit in an armchair, the cushion usually hides your butt. Not the case with the «Derriere» design. In this piece, Laura Bohinc has created an opening where you normally wouldn’t find one, and added a second butt. Its back rest looks like someone’s rear end. The armchair is part of the «Peaches» seating collection. According to the designer, everything in it represents a «huggable female form», which is why she went for curves instead of straight lines. In doing so, she’s turned otherwise rectangular back rests into puffy cushions that resemble breasts and buttocks. The grooves represent folds of skin on the body.

If this back rest looks like a plump bottom to you, you’re not wrong
If this back rest looks like a plump bottom to you, you’re not wrong
This and other «Peaches» armchairs were inspired by the human body.
This and other «Peaches» armchairs were inspired by the human body.
Source: Alcova, 2022

Cacti for cuddling by Atelier L’inconnu

A cactus plant doesn’t exactly scream, «come have a seat». The only exception to this is «Cacti». There’s no chance of a pinprick from its spines and blooming flowers, as they’re well cushioned. The brain behind the chair is Fadi Yachoui, a designer and architect with an admiration for cactus plants. To him, the prickly cacti symbolise endurance, as they’re able to withstand all types of weather. Even their flowers can thrive in harsh conditions. Wrapped up in Bouclé fabric, the cacti’s defence mechanism looks inviting.

Not such a prickly customer: the «Cacti» collection resembles the plants in appearance only.
Not such a prickly customer: the «Cacti» collection resembles the plants in appearance only.
The spines are rounded and decorative.
The spines are rounded and decorative.
The «Barrel» armchair looks appealing despite the large «spike».
The «Barrel» armchair looks appealing despite the large «spike».
Source: Salone Satellite, 2022

All tied up: seating by Sancal

The «Link & Loop» seat does away with straight lines, too. Designed by Studiopepe for Sancal, the chair consists of two rings hooked onto each other. In order to rework conventional seating, the designer duo transferred curved chain links over to furniture design. The configuration can be lengthened as much or as little as you like. To my eye, however, it’s more of a snake-like sculpture.

Furniture or art? This armchair is shaped like a snake.
Furniture or art? This armchair is shaped like a snake.
Lengthening the «chain» transforms an everyday object into a sculpture.
Lengthening the «chain» transforms an everyday object into a sculpture.
Source: Salone del Mobile, 2022

Mind-bending modular seating

Khaled El Mays’ modular seating looks just as vibrant. The chairs are characterised by unusually curvy shapes, which is down to the multi-disciplinary designer’s use of flora as inspiration. What he does, however, is represent the plant world in a deformed way, making his armchairs and stools look as if they’ve come from a surreal painting.

No converging lines here. Each module nestles into the curves of the next.
No converging lines here. Each module nestles into the curves of the next.
Each fabric has been printed digitally.
Each fabric has been printed digitally.
The rendering for the collection depicts a fantasy landscape.
The rendering for the collection depicts a fantasy landscape.
Source: Nilufar Gallery, 2022

Whatever the soft-silhouette seats are inspired by, they promise to brighten up any box room and provide new ways of sitting. Since they’re missing a long edge, which usually goes against the wall, there’s no exact indication of where they should be placed. They can be arranged in the middle of the room without you bumping into them as you walk by, and their shapely curves ensure they merge well with their surroundings.

Label51 Nesso (3-seater)
Sofa

Label51 Nesso

3-seater

Micadoni Alice (3-seater)
Sofa

Micadoni Alice

3-seater

Kare Design Swivel Armchair Maye Cream
Armchairs
CHF1131.–

Kare Design Swivel Armchair Maye Cream

Kare Design Swivel Armchair Maye Cream
CHF1131.–

Kare Design Swivel Armchair Maye Cream

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