With so much still to share with you from this year’s 3 Days of Design, I thought a trip to &Tradition would provide the inspiration you might be looking for.
Located in the heart of Copenhagen’s Frederiksstaden district, and conveniently placed directly opposite ‘The King’s Garden’, I’ve been lucky enough to visit this incredible 18th Century townhouse and flagship showroom a number of times now.
A destination that never ceases to stimulate new ideas, or strengthen my love for the brand, at this year’s festival the emphasis wasn’t on the likes of Arne Jacobsen and Verner Panton, but a major figure in British furniture design instead.
The legendary Robin Day, along with his wife Lucienne, an artist and one of the most influential textile designers of her time too, held the belief that modern design could make the world a better place.
Having both trained at the Royal College of Art before the war, and now in their mid-thirties, this now much celebrated modernist couple rose to public prominence during the 1951 Festival of Britain.
A turning point in their careers, and also their first major commission, the event saw Lucienne’s abstract-patterned textiles and wallpapers displayed alongside Robin’s pioneering steel and plywood furniture in both the Homes and Gardens Pavilion, and the Royal Festival Hall.
It is in fact six of his seminal designs from this year that have now joined the &Tradition portfolio, and from this autumn will be available to purchase for the first time. There’s the simple yet beautiful Daystak desk, table and side chair, which were originally created for British furniture company Hille, the RFH (Royal Festival Hall) Armchair and lounge chair, made from layers of walnut and beech veneer which are form-pressed and cut to shape, as well as a series of accompanying outdoor teak and steel chairs, tables and cushions which originally sat on the terrace.
Produced in close partnership with the couple’s daughter Paula, who heads up the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation, all the reissued pieces have remained as true to the original designs as possible, with only some minor adjustments being made to meet the needs and impact considerations of 21st century users.
Showcased in a celebratory exhibition dedicated to the designer’s life and work, along with special events including a conversation between Paula and design historian Emanuele Quinz, the new chairs, desks and tables fitted their Danish location perfectly, and proved quite understandably, a huge hit with every visitor that excitedly passed through the doors.
To find out more about the new Robin Day pieces, as well as further autumn releases showcased at this year’s 3 Days of Design festival, visit the &Tradition website.
Images 4 and 6 courtesy of &Tradition, all other images by Nicola Capper.
Enjoyed reading this post? Then read about the new New Works Residence which officially opened its doors at this year’s 3 Days of Design festival.
Leave a Reply