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Objects of Design: Valet Chair

photo (43)

I came across this beautiful chair at Clerkenwell Design Week. It’s by Bim Burton and is a modern take on the valet chair by Hans Wegner.

hans wegner valet chair
hans wegner valet chair

Wegner designed the Valet following a conversation with an architect about the best way to hang one’s clothes at night. As you can see the seat lifts up so you can drape trousers over it and that reveals a space underneath where you can put wallet, spare change etc. These days it’s made by PP Mobler  in Denmark and costs (wait for it) £6,695.

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But Bim has made his own version and, I have to say I rather prefer it. I saw the curved back from across the room and was immediately drawn to it. It also costs a rather more reasonable £1,400.

The beautiful curved back reminds me of a musical instrument and Bim told me that he is thinking of making a guitar chair similar to the valet chair. He didn’t tell me any more than that so we’ll have to wait and see what he comes up with but I’m hoping for something where you can store the music and stand the guitar and then sit down and play it. I don’t even play the guitar but I want this chair already.

Another of his pieces which was a great success at CDW was the low petal table, a contemporary twist on the Alvar Aalto stools. His cost £90.

petal table by bim burton
petal table by bim burton

 

Kate Watson-Smyth

The author Kate Watson-Smyth

I’m a journalist who writes about interiors mainly for The Financial Times but I have also written regularly for The Independent and The Daily Mail. My house has been in Living Etc, HeartHome and featured in The Wall Street Journal & Corriere della Sera. I also run an interior styling consultancy Mad About Your House. Welcome to my Mad House.