Spring '15 was a who's who of Mid-Century Modern!

Mid-Century and Danish Modern furniture is hot HOT HOT!!! Especially Wegner and Møller pieces. Yet I rarely get to work on these quality pieces. Perhaps because they were not generally sold here in central Ohio. Just about every piece of Wegner and Møller I have worked on was purchased in the 1950s and 1960s in New York City or Denmark and moved to central Ohio with the owner later on. On the other hand, in every case, I have replaced the original seats.  Maybe their time for weaving renewal is just now coming due.

These clients have lived a lifetime in these chairs and gleefully tell me that these chairs are loved just as much today as they day they were purchased. Of all the chairs I take in to reweave, Wegner and Møller chairs seem to be the most missed by my clients. They are their every day chairs and can't wait to get their beloved chairs back. And I don't blame them! These chairs are relaxing to sit in- every part hits at just the right place. The curves are so sleek and pleasing to both the hand and the eye.

Hans Wegner "Peacock" Chair

Hans Wegner

Danish Modern designer Hans Wegner (1914-2007) was very prolific in his career. He designed thousands of chairs in the quest to perfect chairs both visually and for the sitter's benefit. A percentage of those were put into production (some still produced today). The craftsman's designer, he despised screws. All of his pieces are constructed by tight fitting dowels and well blended, clever joints, and sanding. LOTS and LOTS of sanding. 

I would say that Wegner was also the weaver's designer. Pieces such as the Peacock or Whishbone chairs use a traditional rushing patter, but are modernized with material and little quirks in the weaving.  Wegner's the "Chair" was/is produced with leather upholstered seats and Binder Cane woven seats. Having reseated two this spring, I can easily sum up the weaving experience as being unique, innovative, and creatively using traditional materials in a new, modern design and function.

Here is a fascinating production video of "The Chairs" being made:

These Whishbone chairs are new acquisitions for my client. He loves to find run-down Wegner pieces and bring them back to life. These two he purchased on Ebay with blown out seats. New seats have really brought back these chairs to their former glory!

Niels Otto Møller

While Wegner was very prolific in his furniture design career, Møller was not. Danish designer Niels Otto Møller (1922-1988) spent many years perfecting each design. He chose his materials carefully and perfected his designs around those materials. In these examples the Danish Cord is woven in a basket weave pattern. The seats are very springy and comfortable.

I re-seated 4 of these Møller chairs for a client. The whole set- including more chairs, table and other dining room pieces of the suite- belonged to his mother. I rewove the bad seats before the client is loading the whole set into a truck and driving them to his daughter in Minnesota. What a delivery! Lucky girl! Great design and I am sure even better memories sitting in these family heirlooms.

What I like best about Danish Modern and MidCentury Modern furniture is that is still feels modern and innovative today. The designs often reference traditional furniture and I find that they can easily blend into just about any decor. They are worth investing in- a joy to the eye and the sitter.