Luddites!

Not a phrase normally associated with (smow)

To the best of our knowledge no (smow)employee has ever smashed an iPad or capped a WiFi service in protest at the creeping and increasingly obsessive proliferation of technology into our lives.

Despite that, the early summer weeks in the (smow)HQ were dominated by the preparation and production of the very first (smow)catalogue.

That’s print catalogue.

So on paper.

With ink.

Luddites?

Au contraire nos amis!

Not only is the production of such an analogue catalogue technologically more challenging than coding with that “any-fool-can-do” HTML; but, just as the mechanisation of the textile mills offered the oppressed masses their first, golden, taste of leisure time – so does a print catalogue help us to regain that.

Turn off the computer, enjoy a break, peruse a catalogue. And then turn the computer back on and order.

In addition to featuring a selection of products from the (smow) range the (smow) Designer Furniture Catalogue 2011 also includes biographical information on some of the most important designers and a range of specially commissioned photos of products from USM Haller, Vitra, Moormann, Richard Lampert et al

And is a mighty fine piece of work. Well done to all involved!

If you’d be interested in seeing the finished work, or know someone who would appreciate a copy, please contact service@smow.de (NOTE: It is only available in German)

And at facebook.com/smowcom we have posted a photo gallery documenting the production process.

(smow) Designer Furniture Catalogue 2011

Over Easter we had hoped to hoped to get to Karlsruhe to have a look at the exhibition: Interface Desk, or against Thinking in Categories.

Billed – quite rightly – as possibly the first exhibition in history solely devoted to desks, the exhibition examines the role and function of the “desk” and in doing so possess the question “what is a desk?”

But we didn’t. Instead we were in Bad Muskau- which was also fantastic.

And now we are back at our desks…. and still thinking “what is a desk?”

USM Haller Table - sturdy and reliable

The (smow)blog, for example, is written at an asymmetrical Eiermann II (we like the way you can lean back and place your feet on the supports, ridiculously comfy ) while the (smow)boss has a USM Haller table. Both desks that unquestionably belong to the “classic” or “conservative” category.

More “modern”, “mobile” and ideal for home-office types just looking for a secure location to place your laptop, are designs such as NesTable by Jasper Morrison for Vitra or Walloffice 960/110 by Markus Honka for Jonas & Jonas.

NesTable by Japser Morrison for Vitra

While those on the search for a desk that gets noticed as much as the work produced on it, need look no further than BaObab Philippe Starck for Vitra. An absolute delight.

Our favourite desk, however, remains the one we have at home: Kant by Patrick Frey & Markus Boge for Moormann. We love it not only because of its ingenious design, nor because it was originally a graduation piece and as such is proof that students can do useful work… we love it because it took one of the principle problems of  a desk, considered the situation and came up with a simple solution that works. And designer furniture doesn’t have to do any more than that

Kant by Boge and Frey for Moormann

For those with the time and inclination the exhibition “Interface Desk, or against Thinking in Categories” can be viewed in the Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie Karlsruhe until 26.04.2009

Wallflower sideboard from Jonas & Jonas

With the design for his „Wallflower“ wall unit for Jonas & Jonas Designer Markus Honka has placed the emphasis not only on a flowing, functional form that presents an almost transparent effect, but also on a quick and simple assembly. The units can be assembled without any tools: No screws, no drilling, no problems. Wallflower is composed of one or two supporting legs and “Elastic-buffers” on the rear side to provide stability.

Wallflower wall rack from Jonas & Jonas

The “Wallflowers” are perfectly suitable for today’s „City Nomads“; those of us who are continually on the move and don’t have the time to get involved with complex furniture, yet still want aesthetically pleasing, quality accessories. Owing to their timeless design the Wallflower range are always well suited for offices. (Walloffice 960/1100). Constructed from Compactforming Laminate – a HPL variation - they can even be wonderfully, and imaginatively, utilized out of doors.

Depending on your available space and requirements the wallflower units come in a range of sizes and colors:

Wallflower wall rack (one leg)

Wallflower shelves XL and XXL (two legs)

Sideboard Wallflower

Walloffice 960/1100