Down through the ages timber has been used as the basic material for furniture. In the early 20th Century the furniture designers inspired by the industrial revolution in Europe and with the advent of modern technical innovations initiated a new era of designing. The idea was to look for alternative materials to use instead traditional wood for modern furniture.
Scarcity of timber for the depleting forests was one of the main reasons for this and on the other hand easy availability of other materials motivated the designers for the shift. Stainless Steel and other metals, veneered or laminated plywood, various plastic materials are durable, easy to finish. The advantages of these materials are that they do not require additional painting and finishing, and they are more durable than solid wood.
barcelona chair designed by famous 20th century designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is a good example of this. Metal has been used for the frame of the chair. This ushered a new chapter in furniture designs featuring polished stainless steel bars and leather cushions. Gradually artificial leather and other metal components were used with variation of designs to make these elegant chairs.
Bertoia chairs are another example where metal has been used as material for the chairs. Harry Bertoia who was a designer of hand made jewelry designed of these chairs. These fabulous contoured chairs were made with welded steel chrome plated for a gorgeous look.
Others designers too, like Le Corbusier followed the trend in his famous Le Corbusier Chair by using steel as alternative materials and today it is in vogue.
Dec 16