Does the world need another chair? Certainly that’s a reasonable question to ask when the planet is already populated by hundreds, if not thousands, of different chairs—chairs for working, dining, relaxing, playing, napping, waiting, or, even, admiring—some are a wonder to behold but awkward to sit in and some are so comfortable that one is reluctant to get up again.

That legacy continues today, as seen in this latest release by Knoll™, and their collaboration with Formway Design, the Wellington, New Zealand-based collaborative. It’s not a chair. It’s a movement. Introducing Generation by Knoll™. The first chair that lets you sit how you want. The Generation chair offers a new standard of comfort and unrestrained movement, supporting the range of postures and work styles typical of today’s workplace. Discover how Generation’s flexing and supportive features enable individual expression, and explore how this revolutionary work chair reflects our commitment to environmental sustainability.

It’s worth noting that the concept of seating that moves as you move was not entirely new. In fact, one could argue that the bean bag chair of the 1960s, which quickly became a ubiquitous symbol of hippie informality, could be considered a forerunner of Generation by Knoll: each time the user shifts position on the bean bag chair, the “beans” (actually polystyrene beads) rearrange themselves to support you—comfort is entirely a result of automatic responsiveness. For Knoll, it was time to take this idea of elastic design—where the product rearranges itself in response to its user—to a new level.

Lounge chair by Warren Platner, 1966 for Knoll

Atop of an unusually small pedestal base for such a large seating surface, the Platner lounge chair is an impact maker in any environment.    A beautiful mixture of metal rods and soft cushy textile make for a sculptural look and a cozy sit.   Designed in 1966 by Warren Platner, for Knoll, this chair has potential for retro glam and sophisticated modern.  

 When accompanied by its coordinating side table, this chair becomes parent and small tot. 

Platner chair with side table

The side table also features metal rods with a glass disc that perfectly fits inside the circumference of its top.  It is sweet and subtle yet the light bouncing off the torso of this table has the making for a small but sparkly dance party.  The Grandmother of this collection of course is the dining table that allows the dinner guest to gaze inside a tunnel of arched metal stems through its glass top surface while enjoying their meal. 

Platner Dining Table

Platner Dining Collection

 

This table is like a giant piece of elegant jewelry for your home, as is the whole Platner collection. 

On Sale Now until Feb. 7^th 2010.

The Warren Platner Collection

10.  It’s sculpture first, furniture second

9.  It’s REALLY comfortable
8.  It has a high skinny back to rest your head on

7.  It has really neat humungous shock mounts that gently rock while you sit in it
6.  It makes a great cat bed

My adorable cat Chloe in our Bird chair

5.  It was WAY ahead of its time and still is today
4.  It looks as though it might squat at any moment to incubate an egg

This egg would be about the right size

3.  It is truly beautiful from all angles

2.  I can sit cross legged inside it
1.  It looks great naked

Why do so many great architects also have the mind to create such timeless and recognizable furniture.  The group is great and have contributed to influence the growing future generation of designer architects.

Mies Van Der Rohe has influenced the design of many houses and put together a collection of furniture that will fit in any style home. Not only great in a home, Mies furniture looks great in an office setting as well.

If you have a property that requires a thoughtful and imaginative structure to get the most out of the land, taking some ques from any Frank Lloyd Wright house may work well.

Utilizing the lines from the surroundings, Frank lloyd Wright has created classic furniture that looks great in a west coast modern, homes with rich wood and exposed beam structure.

Another great who liked to use organic shapes for those of you that are into more of a modern look is Eero Saarinen.  He has problaby the largest selection of notable furniture that can funk up an area or really morph your home into a fresh modern space.

One example of furniture that may drastically change the look of your living room is the Womb chair.

Another great notable is Le Corbusier

The big question is – Who is next?