Carl Hansen & Son has released two new collections: The Sideways Footstool and Nesting Tables, which offer both innovation and beauty.
Carl Hansen & Son is extending its collaboration with Danish designer Rikke Frost to present the Sideways Footstool (pictured above)—a versatile and comfortable piece of furniture made of natural materials, ideal for both private homes and public spaces.
Frost is known for combining classic design with a modern approach, and her designs always employ outstanding craftsmanship to achieve a high degree of functionality. This is clear in the new Sideways Footstool, whose generous upholstery and elegant joinery makes it just as comfortable to sit on as it is beautiful to look at. Its shape effortlessly complements the Sideways Sofa, but the footstool can be used as a standalone piece of furniture or in a group to create a welcoming lounge environment.
The Sideways Footstool is characterized by its soft shape and fine details that make reference to the Sideways Sofa; for example, through the solid wooden frame and the distinctive legs, highlighting the elegance of the wooden features in the same way as the sofa does. The organic silhouette of the footstool is a classic trademark of the designer’s work, and as Frost says herself, “The round shape of the footstool is no coincidence. I’ve realized that I always sneak something round and soft into my designs. In addition, I love working with combinations of materials, which is also a key element in the design of this piece.”
The footstool has been developed in close cooperation between Frost and the skilled craftsmen at Carl Hansen & Son, and the seat upholstery in particular posed something of a challenge. The textile is cut from a single piece of material and has to be stretched over the foam so that the weave of the fabric remains straight without wrinkling—a task that only the most experienced upholsterers can master.
Knud Erik Hansen, CEO, Carl Hansen & Son, said, “The Sideways Footstool is the third collaboration between Rikke Frost and Carl Hansen & Son, in addition to the Sideways Sofa from 2020 and the Petal Lamp which was launched last year. We are thrilled to be working with Frost, not only because she understands our design heritage and the pride we take in our craftsmanship, but also because she always takes natural materials and enduring classic designs as her starting point.”
Frost said, “I really appreciate the collaboration with the extremely skilled craftsmen at Carl Hansen & Son, and the mutual respect we have for each other’s competencies. It’s a pleasure and an honor to work with one of the foremost players within Danish furniture design.”
The RF1903F Sideways Footstool is available in stores from January 2023.
Carl Hansen & Son also presents the Nesting Tables created by the Danish furniture designer Hans J. Wegner. First presented in 1952, the Nesting Tables are characterized by their light and organic look that gives them a distinctive Wegner identity where every detail is thought through.
Wegner had a special ability to design furniture that harmonized with its surroundings while staying relevant for the future. This is also true of his Nesting Tables, which were created to be functional and space-saving properties that are also highly relevant today.
The new Nesting Tables consist of three tables that can be used together or separately. Thanks to their light and discreet look, the tables can integrate seamlessly into any interior.
Wegner focused on both the finer details and the entirety of his designs, and he was known for the sense of harmony he created between the different dimensions and materials. Thus, all the parts making up the three tables are scaled in proportion to each other to achieve a harmonious whole; in other words, the tabletops and legs are adapted to each individual table. Other distinctive Wegner details are the rounded and tapered table legs and the subtle curves on the front and rear support, which add an organic and pleasing look to the design. Classic mortise joints that require a high degree of craftsmanship perfect the expression.
Hansen said, “Hans J. Wegner had a unique ability to combine aesthetics and functionality, and his characteristic lines are clear in the tables’ minimalist yet organic design,” he continued, “At Carl Hansen & Son, we have been manufacturing furniture designed by Wegner for more than 70 years, and we are honored to be adding the beautiful Nesting Tables to our collection. The tables make perfect side tables for Wegner’s Wing Chair or Mama Bear Chair, while also being suitable as coffee tables for the smaller CH72 Sofa.”
The CH004 Nesting Tables will be available in stores from February 2023.
