Market

edited by Karen D. Singh -- Interior Design, 9/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Office party

Vico Magistretti's Work chair for De Padova boasts all the expected bells and whistles: a 360-degree swivel radius, castors, height and cant adjustment, three arm-support settings, and an ergonomic polyurethane back and seat. What's surprising: graphics digitally printed on cotton or wool upholstery, in as many colors as the rainbow. Just the wink your office needs. 14 Corso Venezia, 20121 Milan, Italy; 39-02-77-72-01; depadova.it. circle 317

Walter Knoll

Curved interiors at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, gave UN Studio's Ben van Berkel the idea for Circle. This seating system-in-the-round comprises four components: Two of them form a semicircular sofa; add the other two, and the result is either a full circle or groovy S shape. 25 Bahnhofstrasse, 71083 Herrenberg, Germany; 49-70-32-20-80; walterknoll.de. circle 318

Vitra

This manufacturer and Maarten van Severen go back seven years and three numerals—his .03 chair was launched in 1998. Boasting a lower, more reclined profile than that of the upright .05, the latest version, .06, is cantilevered and slim of line, with an elegant silhouette of steel tubing. The taut polyurethane molds itself to the sitter. 29 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10014; 212-463-5700; vitra.com. circle 319

Missoni Home

Verner Panton created the Relaxer 2, a simple-as-can-be crescent of a rocking chair, in 1974. This year, the design got a harlequin-patterned makeover by the fashion house known for its intricate, sexy weaves. T&J Vestor, 716 Via Roma, 21010 Golasecca, Italy; 39-03-31-95-03-11; missonihome.com. circle 321

De Sede

Where contemporary lines and traditional comfort meet, you'll find the DS 20 sofa by Thomas Althaus. The chrome or aluminum legs, ergonomic beech frame, and adjustable arms and backrest can compete with the best 2005 offerings, while the quilting and patrician proportions add a timeless grace note. Available in several upholsteries and lengths. 2 Oberes Zelgli, 5313 Klingnau, Switzerland; 41-56-268-0111; desede.ch. circle 320

Sawaya & Moroni

Everyone at Milan's Salone Internazionale del Mobile may have been talking about the ornate Barock 'n Roll collection, but that's clearly not all that this company is capable of. Designed by newcomer Christian Ghion, Peau d'Ame combines a compact, rounded seat—fashioned from dense foam padding—with slim legs of chromed tubular steel. The 72 fabric and leather colors range from red to green to black. 11 Via Manzoni, 20121 Milan, Italy; 39-02-86-39-52-00; sawayamoroni.com. circle 322

Soca

Rendered in restrained Ivoire or a candy-shop fantasy lineup of colors—Mandarine, Lipstick, and Dauphin, for starters—satin-textured polyethylene Tid'jou! is washable and resists scratching. Bruno Houssin's cleverly curvaceous design also offers sound support whether you're sitting upright or leaning back. 7 Rue Véga, 44470 Carquefou, France; 33-2-40-68-85-10; soca.fr. circle 323

Moroso

Patricia Urquiola's Highlands sofa is an experiment in movement. The back and arms all fold up and down, resulting in a height range of 14 to 40 inches and a width range of 64 to 108 inches. The wool and cotton upholstery options come in thousands of colors. Luminaire, 301 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60610; 312-664-9582; luminaire.com. circle 324

Cor

A redux of a model that's been out for years, the improved Bico recliner now has a rotating circular base, rounded armrests, and a height-adjustable headrest. But the original's smooth functionality is still intact. Available with mechanical or electrical operation. 12 Nonenstrasse, 33378 Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany; 49-52-42-41-020; cor.de. circle 325

Couch Couture

The fashion house Cerruti recently bought Baleri Italia, so there's obviously a couture sensibility behind the scenes. Not to mention star quality: For the 2005 collection, introduced at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the company solicited the creative input of edgy high-profile talents Marcel Wanders, Jeff Miller, and editor-cum-designer Ilse Crawford.

Artist Arik Levy's Horizon combination sofa, chair, and corner unit was among the collection's stars. The modular seating group is made of cold-processed flexible polyurethane in various densities for structural firmness and body-supporting softness. And all six pieces feature sexy low backs that beckon an arm or elbow to rest. 8 Via Cavallotti, 20122 Milan, Italy; 39-02-76-02-39-54; baleri-italia.com. circle 326

Young Turks

Yes, it really is a six-year-old collective owned by Turkish designers, but strike the visions of ornate carpets and tiles from your mind. Founded by father-and-son designers Aziz and Derin Sariyer, who direct the production and contribute some of the designs, Derin creates furniture that's sleek, playful, and utterly contemporary.

Their new collection of shelving, beds, dining tables, chairs, and sofas—including Pair and Mass by Aziz Sariyer—mixes the unexpected. Stainless steel, fiberglass, and dense polyurethane filling all meet to form silhouettes that are unfailingly minimalist. Ditto for the Zenger armchair by Yilmaz Zenger.

Derin Sariyer's Fit chair has a quietly cosmopolitan look. Its polyurethane-covered wood seat comes perched on tubular-steel legs or with castors for working in the office. 77/1 Abdi Ipekçi Caddesi, 80200 Maçka, Istanbul, Turkey; 90-212-225-2003; derindesign.com. circle 327

Context Furniture

Bryce and Kerry Moore fashion the William and Mary collection's Harbor chair from utilitarian birch plywood that's cut, stacked, and then fused with glue. The contrasting leafing, which provides the stripe detail, comes in either dark maple or walnut veneer. 104 West Fourth Street, Suite 304, Royal Oak, MI 48067; 248-544-0410; contextfurniture.com. circle 328

Thompson Contract

The slim rounded back, high armrests, and varied-density foam filling of Blues Design Group's Ivy tub chair invite the sitter to relax and say, "Ahh." The combo of cheery cotton-wool blend upholstery with beech legs—stained walnut, wengé, or cherry—promises to elicit even more sounds of appreciation. 41 Keyland Court, Bohemia, NY 11716; 631-589-7737; thompsoncontract.com. circle 331

Michael Berman

One of more than 30 pieces in Michael Berman's film noir–inspired collection, the Preston combination sectional sofa is luxuriously sized. Each piece measures 6 to 9 feet wide with a 42-inch-deep seat. Custom sizes are available. Upholstery and leg woods vary. 7215 West Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323-933-0220; michaelbermanlimited.com. circle 329

Time & Style

Part chair, part meditation on the essence of design, Patrick Chia's experimental seating group is made from FRP polyurethane and stainless steel. Hint: The low blob is the seat. 401 Jintsu Building, 6-11-3, Minami Aoyama, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan; 81-3-5464-3208; timeandstyle.com. circle 332

Baker

From the 25-piece Milling Road collection comes the Occasional chair. Its woven-fiber seat base and backrest, custom seat upholstery, and lustrous hardwood legs represent the tradition this manufacturer is known for—spiced up with a dash of modern sensibility. 129-133 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-343-2956; bakerfurniture.com. circle 330

Rolf Benz

Taking its cues from Europe's deco period, the Model 6900 by Christian Werner features an ultra-slim wood shell embracing sumptuously full cushions. Widths range from 71 to 104 inches, and three depths are available: 24, 29, and 33 inches. 104 Haiterbacher Strasse, 72202 Nagold, Germany; 49-74-52-60-11-01; rolf-benz.de. circle 333

Montis

This manufacturer specializes in practical and timeless simplicity. Romeo embodies that archetype—in leather and steel in flawless lines. For 2005, the color and upholstery options have been expanded to include high-quality leather and a variety of wools and cotton-linen blends. P.O. Box 1253, Carrboro, NC, 27510; 888-866-6847; montis.nl. circle 334

Urban Tribe

Michael Jansen studied in China and India, and these countries' aesthetics inform the clean but opulent lines of the Dragon chaise. Cherry legs and cowhide upholstery complement the 69-inch-long tapering frame. 5516 West Foster Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630; 866-203-1501; urbantribedesign.com. circle 335

Bright Chair Company

The Elana by Douglas Levine cants enough to encourage lounging but also works around the dinner table. Shown in canary-yellow leather, the chair is available in a wide range of other colors including green, blue, red, brown, and black. Legs come in cherry and maple, as do the optional arms. Finishes vary. 51 Railroad Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940; 888-524-5997; brightchair.com. circle 336

Zoom Seating

Sava Cvek designed the reasonably priced Champion task chair, endowing it with a flexing backrest, articulating arm caps, an adjustable seat, and lumbar support. More than 100 upholstery fabrics can ship in 48 hours or less. Some leather and COM options take longer. 11451-A Harter Drive, Middlebury, IN 46540; 866-839-9666; zoomseating.com. circle 337

William Switzer

From the Lucien Rollin Collection comes the Chaise Apollon lounge and ottoman—in cotibe wood with brass, nickel, or bronze hardware and feet. 6-611 Alexander Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6A 1E1, Canada; 604-255-5911; williamswitzercollection.com. circle 338

Holly Hunt

Christian Liaigre's posh lounge seating includes Beluga. This sofa, upholstered in COM, is 9 feet 10 inches wide with oak arms. The base comes in oak or metallic finishes such as graphite. 801 West Adams Street, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60607; 312-329-5999; hollyhunt.com. circle 340

Farrago

The 78-inch-long Nerine bench exhibits sustainable techniques and materials (salvaged railroad ties for the seat and sand-cast aluminum for the legs) and high-concept whimsy (wings). Sublime American Design, 26 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-941-8888; sublimeamericandesign.com. circle 339

Smith & Watson

An update on a Thomas Hope original from the 19th century, the Hall chair imparts grace to even the most staunchly contemporary entryway. Offered in mahogany as well as this antiqued gesso finish—a look that was also popular back in Hope's time. 200 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016; 212-686-6444; smith-watson.com. circle 341

Fendi Casa

Just like Fendi's clothing and accessories, the Efea is about sensual materiality. Set on a walnut and polyurethane base, the chair comes in three sizes. The more than 250 upholstery choices range from faux iguana and pony skin to Belgian linen. 90 NE 39th Street, Miami, FL 33137; 305-433-1660; fendicasa.it. circle 342