Best Undressed
07/01/2008
Leda Bench: Cut from a single sheet of plywood to minimize waste, and swooping like the neck of a swan, the Leda Bench for Living Edge is the creation of Australian designer Jon Goulder. "I wanted to provide someone with a bench, but also a chaise," he says, emphasizing that the seat is er-gonomically correct. $10,550. 310.358.5556, www.livingedgeinc.comSt. Croix Chaise: This teak chaise is more a result of hard work than inspiration, says designer Gene Summers, who created three similar concepts, of which he deemed only one suitable for sale—a technique he learned from architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Its relatively low height blends the chaise into a pool setting "almost like a pad or towel," says Summers. Estimated list price: $6,885. Available from Holly Hunt. 800.320.3145, www.hollyhunt.com
Chloe Chair: Created by Lebanese designer Claudia Chahine of Baal Creations for Nusa, this bronze-, copper-, or brass-cast sculpted seat represents a woman kneeling down in front of an oasis, drinking water—a precious resource in the Middle East. A limited-edition piece, only 30 were created and half are already sold. $8,000. 323.937.7055, www.nusafurniture.com
Azimuth Collection: Designer Michael Vanderbyl names both classic English outdoor wood furniture and modern architect Le Corbusier as influences for his Azimuth collection. "To me it’s more transitional design—you can put it in a contemporary or traditional environment," he says. Available from Janus et Cie. $3,436. 800.245.2687, www.janusetcie.com
X Series: "I wanted a chair with an arm that I could eat off of and write on," says artist turned designer Alwy Visschedyk of his X Series for Summit. He successfully achieved this functionality without compromising aesthetics in this set, constructed from plantation-grown teak. Chair, $3,733; Ottoman, $1,600. Sofa also available. 831.375.7811, www.summitfurniture.com
Starck Sherwood Highback Settee: "I want to design things that are sexy and have ethical value," says designer Philippe Starck. Hence, with a nod to folklore hero Robin Hood, the Sherwood Highback sofa—a defining piece in the RobinWood collection for Sutherland—is made of Smartwood-certified teak grown in Indonesian sustainable forests, and recyclable aluminum. Prices vary. 800.717.8325, www.sutherlandfurniture.com