Sitting pretty

Chapter 1

Peter Fiell on the chair as a design object

The co-editor of Taschen’s coffee-table staple ‘1000 Chairs’ tells us why the chair is so important as a design object and how it has developed in the modern era.

Chapter 2

Knud Erik Hansen on classics and copycats

Knud Erik Hansen is the CEO of Carl Hansen & Søn, a Danish furniture-maker and the largest manufacturer of furniture by renowned Danish designer Hans J Wegner. He joins us on the phone from New York to discuss the brand’s values and the threat posed by copycat producers.

Chapter 3

Reiko Kaneko on moving from ceramics to furniture

Reiko Kaneko made her name as a ceramicist but has recently turned her hand to furniture design in a collaboration with renowned London-based modern furniture manufacturer and retailer SCP. She tells us about her Orlando chair.

Chapter 4

Solar-powered, design-minded benches in Belgrade

A public bench can be more than just a place to sit. The Strawberry Tree is a solar-powered seat that can charge your phone while you enjoy the view. Monocle’s Belgrade correspondent Guy De Launey investigates.