Among the new features in the catalog of Zara HomeI found an armchair that is the living image of the one my grandmother has had in her home for decades. This fact is not surprising, since with its appearance it achieves embody a movement which marked a change in the way of understanding architecture and interior design in the 20th century. So that you can see it, let’s observe and analyze this vintage armchair and other valuable designs that has made us remember thanks to its special aesthetics.
The Zara Home armchair is made of metal and leather.
An imposing and vintage armchair
This is the metal and leather armchair from Zara Home that is made up, as its name suggests, of chromed tubular metal and a padded leather seat, upholstered with cotton and cowhide. Its appearance is reflection of elegance and solemnity, and it is that with only its structure of metal bars that make up simple lines, and its dark tone armchairmanages to convey a lot of character, seriousness and simplicity, all at the same time.
As technical issuesthe upper part of the chair comes disassembled, and the cushions have a hook and can be removed. Its dimensions are 82 (height) x 70 (width) x 80 (depth) centimeters. Ref. 8388/073.
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What does this chair remind us of?
Talking about this chair makes us have to mention the Modern Movement which he seems to be a part of with his style. This movement is essentially based on an architectural style that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s. 20th centuryand that separates itself from classical architecture to focus on functionalism.
In Spain it is known as rationalism because the foundations of its architecture are found in reason, with representatives of the stature of architects Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe or Le Corbusier, the greatest reference of the movement. The most influential for this movement was, of course, the Bauhaus school (1919), with its motto “form follows function”; the Second Industrial Revolution; and the relevance of science, mathematics and logic after the First World War.
But the Modern Movement later went beyond architecture, since it ended up encompassing the furniture and object design. Thus, we very frequently find the Modern Movement exhibited in the decoration of our homes.
What defines it?
There is certain characteristics that make a design be considered part of the Modern Movement, and these are, among others, simple lines, simplicity, functionality, purity of finishes, open spaces, exploitation of natural light, connection with nature. nature and the environment; and the use of materials such as steel and glass. If you look closely, you will find in the Zara Home armchair several of these qualities that make it possible for us to label it as basic modern.
It reminds us of other designer chairs
As if that were not enough, this armchair from Zara Home It reminds us of other pieces with high designs, very representative of the Modern Movement. We show you 3 of which, in addition, have the same composition as the Inditex model.
Barcelona Chair dates back to 1929 and enjoys great dynamism.
The Barcelona chair
This is the iconic Barcelona chairedited by Knoll and created by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for him German Pavilion at the Barcelona International Exhibition of 1929. As you see, the piece tIt is almost a century old and is integrated into the Barcelona Collection which refers to modern architecture.
Its particularity lies in its structure, since it is transmits dynamism by means of curved stainless steel supports on the backrest and legs, and also by its marking sober appearance-which shines especially in the leather that covers the seat in muted tones-.
Thus, it is one of the icons of the Modern Movement that captures the elegance of simplicityproving Mies van der Rohe’s maxim: “less is more”. Furthermore, it praises the union between modern design and the traditional crafts quality with attention to detail, such as with its lined frame and hand-welded leather squares.
The S 533 L chair for Thonet, by Mies Van der Rohe.
The S 533 L chair for Thonet
Mies Van der Rohe also created the tanned leather cantilever chair, S 533 Lin 1927 for the Thonet signatureand was presented that same year at the modern architecture exhibition Weißenhof-Siedlung. As part of the S 533 collection, this piece of furniture focuses on the use of sober materials, the elegance of its lines and a pronounced effect of lightness.
It is its design that made it quickly stand out within the Thonet catalogue, and its structure rejected the four legs of the chair for a solid metal frame in the front part that leaves the seat suspended in the air.
It also offers a lot of comfort, which is a direct consequence of its permanent bending that arises thanks to its great arch of tempered steel tube. However, the architect’s own stamp is very clear in the composition, with functionality and comfort well present in its timeless aesthetics.
The Brno tubular armchair, published by Knoll and the work of Mies van der Rohe.
The Brno armchair
He tubular armchair Brnoedited by Knoll and also designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1930, stands out for its slim profile and clean lines with very careful craftsmanship. Its base and armrests are based on polished chrome tubular, and its seat and backrest are upholstered in black Sabrina leather.
His classic and modern shape displays with great pleasure the typical sobriety of its designer’s creations and, likewise, makes it an icon of 20th century design. Today, Knoll continues to produce this model to the initial specifications and with the collaboration of the Mies van der Rohe Archive and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.