9 Contemporary Designers To Watch For

https://velvetkaratzas.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nest_953167_2_feature.jpg 440 440 Velvet Velvet https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/80b759f89132f7a8abdd43153f6095d2?s=96&d=identicon&r=g June 7, 2018 February 21, 2022

Raise your hand if you like furniture with clean lines and a personality you can fall in love with? I certainly do. Therefore, today I’d like to share with you the first nine on top of my list of contemporary designers (industrial and furniture). They are making an interpretation of old traditions and in my humble opinion, are in the making of a design legacy that will shape our future. Perhaps you might have heard of some, if not all. But even if you haven’t, I’m quite confident that you might have come across their work that’s admirable for its simplicity, function and performance.

A desk by a large window with a Gubi Beetle dining chair designed by Gamfratesi. Image by Nest.co.uk. — ^{Image by Nest.co.uk. The Gubi Beetle Dining Chair by Gamfratesi with its unlimited possibilities.}

Let me start off at no particular order with:

Konstantin Grcic

Konstantin Grcic, a German industrial designer and the oldest one from the lot of contemporary designers I’ve picked (born 1965). His Magis chair is probably the most recognizable piece of furniture he designed with its notable angled geometry.

An outdoor contemporary minimal setting becomes so much more interesting with the geometry of a Maggis black chair designed by Konstantin Grcic. Image by Nest.co.uk. — ^{Image by Nest.co.uk. The Magis Chair.}

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Cecilie Manz

Cecilie Manz, is also an industrial designer. She’s an awarded and one of the leading Danish furniture designers having designed for brands like Lightyears, Holmegaard, Nils Holger Moormann, Fredericia Furniture, Fritz Hansen, Muuto and Mooment.

The Caravaggio Read Floor Lamp is the latest addition to the iconic Caravaggio series. Image by Nest.co.uk. — ^{Image by Nest.co.uk. The Caravaggio Read Floor Lamp designed by Cecilie Menz (GBP 414.00).}

^{Image by Nest.co.uk. Compile is Cecilie Manz’s contemporary take on the classic modular shelving system for Danish brand Muuto.}

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Thomas Bentzen

Thomas Bentzen. This Copenhagen based designer places emphasis on the poetic interpretation of Danish design tradition where simplicity and function go hand in hand.

The Muuto Enfold Sideboard incorporates both natural and industrial materials to create a contemporary, versatile product. — ^{Image by Nest.co.uk. The Muuto Enfold Sideboard incorporates both natural and industrial materials.}

A contemporary dining setting with the Cover Chairs designed by Thomas Bentzen. Image by Nest.co.uk (via). — ^{Image by Nest.co.uk. The Cover chair designed by Thomas Bentzen.}

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Harri Koskinen

Harri Koskinen. This awarded Finnish designer is best known for his block lamp. Personally I love this beauty below he designed for Muuto, the Danish design company. I have a thing for colored glass…

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Steffen Juul

Steffen Juul. Yet another Danish designer with a creative mind and a very strong sense of minimalism.

The Would Come Here side table designed by Steffen Juul in a vignette paired with a chair and an art print on the wall. Image by Nest.co.uk. — ^{Image by Nest.co.uk. The Would Come Here side table in a vignette.}

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GamFratesi

GamFratesi. This duo by the Danish architect Stine Gam and the Italian architect Enrico Fratesi are challenging old traditions. This cross-cultural partnership has resulted in the most interesting fusing approach. They’re definitely two of my favorites.

The Suspence Nomad by GamFratesi takes its name from the design philosophy behind it; the idea that it can be easily moved around within your home, even outdoors creating a warm, cosy atmosphere. Image by Nest.co.uk. — ^{Image by Nest.co.uk. The Suspence Nomad by GamFratesi takes its name from the design philosophy behind it; the idea that it can be easily moved around within your home, creating a warm, cosy atmosphere wherever it is placed.}

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Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

Last but not least, one more awarded team duo: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. The two brothers from Brittany, France were awarded in 2014 the London Design Medal. I bet most of you have seen this chair around…

The Vitra Vegetal Chair with its plant like structure designed by the Bouroullec brothers. Image by Nest.co.uk. — ^{Image by Nest.co.uk. The Vitra Vegetal Chair with its plant like structure.}

A contemporary modern dining setting with lots of Belleville armchairs designed by the brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. Image by Nest.co.uk. — ^{Image by Nest.co.uk. The Belleville Armchair is named after the vibrant Paris neighborhood where the designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have their studio.}

A dining setting with the Hay Elementaire Chair designed by the Bouroullec brothers. Image by Nest.co.uk. — ^{Image by Nest.co.uk. The Hay Elementaire Chair designed by the two brothers (GBP 89.00).}

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Believe me, I had to cut this list of contemporary designers short, for there are some more notable ones that I will present to you in another post. They are all shaping our era, therefore I thought I introduce them to you all. The way I see it, some of these furniture and/or lighting will become collectible. So why not buy them now that they’re still quite affordable?! Great design doesn’t always have to have a high price tag. 😉

Lastly, may I suggest this piece: Brilliant designer lighting ideas. It’s all about must know timeless investment lighting pieces from various designers.

By the way, do you know any of them or know their work?

Yours, xx