On his 2009 album “Waxing Gibbous” Falkirk balladeer Malcolm Middleton included the song “Red Travellin’ Socks” a jaunty – if for us touch too obvious – ode to his love/hate relationship with, well his Red Travellin’ Socks.

Wearing his socks he’s reminded of the freedom of the open road that is currently helping him fulfilling his primitive desires – until such time as the romantic myth of the endless highways explodes and he begins to long for home. The red socks symbolising his frustration and hopelessness.

“Take me home Red Travellin’ Socks”, he demands. “I’m out of money and I’m sick of these songs….”

And then, inevitably, after a period at home his Red Travellin’ Socks sit there in the domestic wardrobe, taunting him and reminding him of what he is missing….

Malcolm’s Red Travellin’ Socks are our Vitra Panton Chair Miniature.

For no obvious reason it began accompanying us a couple of years ago and even featured in our controversial tour of Verner Panton’s Copenhagen. And will inevitably feature in our forthcoming Arne Jacobsen portrait.

Much as we enjoy photographing it, there comes a point in every tour where it sits in the camera rucksack like a lead-lined metaphor for the domestic regularity we’re missing. However, no sooner is it back on the bookshelf….

Our erstwhile travelling companion in front of Arne Jacobsen's former house in Copenhagen.

And so while we admittedly did consider throwing it from the train on the way back from Neue Räume Zürich 2011 – we’re currently polishing it up for Spring 2012.

On January 13th we’re in Cologne for the opening of the exhibition “From Aalto to Zumthor – Architect Furniture” in the MAKK. And of course for IMM Cologne 2012 and the parallel fringe events.

Among the, potential, highlights are a new outdoor collection from Richard Lampert, the exhibition “Made in Sishane” and seeing how the colleges do now that they have left the confines of IMM and will be showing their work at a satellite event in the city.

Early February then sees the opening of the Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec Exhibition “Album” in the Vitra Design Museum Gallery in Weil am Rhein. We missed it in Bordeaux and so are really looking forward to seeing it; and of course finding out how their yacht is coming on!

And then from February 6th were in Stockholm for the annual Design Festival and Furniture Fair. The obvious highlight being Stockholm in February.

But given that the (smow)boss will also expect us to produce some form of “work” from our trip, we’ll be checking out the exhibition The Evolution of Object by Katrin Greiling, pursuing the new tile designs by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Marrakech Design and generally investigating the current state of the designer furniture industry in Scandinavia.

Reports, photos, interviews and reviews will be published here and on Facebook.

Stockholm. February. 2011

If purple is the second colour of mourning; then citrus colours are unquestionably the second colour(s) of Christmas.

Be it the orange of an orange, the lemon of a lemon or the dark lime of a Vitra Panton Chair.

Launched by Vitra in July as a special summer 2011 edition the Dark Lime Panton Chair was released as a strictly limited edition piece.

And the (smow)warehouse is down to the last few examples……

And just like mince pies – when they’re gone. They’re gone!

Unlike mince pies however there aren’t any more in the oven warming gently.

Gone is gone.

A Christmas tree. Warm mulled wine. Angelic voices filling the room with gentle song. And a dark lime Vitra Panton Chair.

What could be more festive!

The Ghost of Christmas past enters into the festive spirit with a Vitra Dark Lime Panton Chair

Back in the summer we ran a highly entertaining “Summertime in Dark Lime” Panton Chair Cocktail competition.

The judging was certainly highly entertaining.

The winner was Italian designer Alessandro Barison aka abitudinicreative

Chatting with Alessandro after his cocktail “Spritz Upgrade” was selected the winner, we discovered that while he was a student at the Scuola Italiana Design (SID)  he had taken part in a workshop cum competition that involved redesigning  – or better put – extending the scope of the Panton Chair.

And we really liked what Alessandro and  his colleagues came up with: A Panton Chair Trolley, so on wheels so that you take your  Panton Chair with you. In an ideal world you can even use the space under the seat as storage and hey presto – a Vitra Panton Chair trolley suitcase.

Is there a more stylish way to travel?

We don’t imagine for a minute that Vitra would ever entertain the idea of producing or licensing such an object. Or indeed doing anything new with Verner Panton‘s design. But we genuinely love the idea and wanted to share it with you.

They finished second.

And yes, we honestly discovered this after he had won!

More Panton Chair based photos can be found on Alessandro’s flickr page

The Vitra Panton Chair as travel trolley!

The original sketches…

Last August we made an ill-fated trip to Copenhagen and CODE 10.

A trip that caused us to ponder the question if Danish furniture design is still relevant.

To help us explore this point a little further we decided to speak to two young Danish designers and ask them for their views and opinions on the current state of furniture design in Denmark.

Monique Engelund and Jonas Pedersen both studied architecture in Aarhus, graduating with a degree in furniture design. And no they didn’t change course half-way through. The course in Aarhus is structured such that one studies “traditional” architecture for the first two years. And then specialises in either architecture or furniture design.

The term for people such as Monique and Jonas we learned is “furniture architect”

Not only a delightful term in its own right; but a phrase that for us wonderfully encapsulates a central reason why mid-20th century furniture design produced so many design classics.

It’s practitioners were architects. Who trained like architects. Who thought like architects. Who designed like architects.

Jonas Pedersen

For Jonas Pedersen the reason why specifically Denmark profited so much from this global phenomenon was a question of material choice. “In the 50s and 60s when Danish furniture design got really big there was a large number of really skilled architects in Denmark, and they principally worked in wood and created a very unique style”

A style that went on to establish itself as a by-word for quality and innovation, and which established household names such as Wagner, Jacobsen or Juhl.

But in how far are these “old masters” a burden for the current generation of Danish designers; a generation who weren’t born as the tradition of Danish furniture design was being written.

A big problem says Jonas. “Many people still think that Danish design is defined by the past.  Which can be really annoying because many people think the good stuff is only the stuff from back then. And so we have to fight against that.”

Monique Engelund has already made her own experience with such attitudes. Responding to an advert from a company in China looking for a “new”, “young” “wild” “fresh” Scandinavian designer she submitted some examples of her work. “But all they wanted was wood furniture because they thought that’s what we do!”

Que a communal shrugging of shoulders in the room.

But what of the new generation. What do they do? What motivates them?

Monique Engelund

Faced with the challenge of designing in the 21st century Monique highlights the problem of perspective as a designer. In the 50s and 60s many young designers were concerned with rebelling against conformity and fighting for their creative freedom. A freedom today’s young designers have, but must first learn how to use.

“At Uni” says Monique, “we are actually often advised to be rebellious, which of course makes being so, quite a paradox.”

For as we all know, what’s the point in rebelling in an open space. One needs borders to push against.

Such problems are of course not limited to Denmark. We’re a global society.

The new generation of designers need to learn to formulate the question they want to ask society, to define the borders of what society will accept, before they can start presenting answers.

And maybe that’s part of what we missed at CODE 10.

Innovation. Risk. Youthful rebellion. And if you want to get all old skool punk about it – a manifesto.

All of which made our hearts beat a little faster as we slapped a miniature Panton Chair on the table and asked: “International design or Danish design?”

Jonas: “That’s from Mars…”

Monique: “…. that’s certainly not typical Danish. I think the development of that chair is European, I mean we can’t take any credit for it!”

For many non-Danes, however, the Panton Chair is the very epitome of contemporary Danish design. The work however was not only criticised and mocked by Panton’s Danish contemporaries at the time, but Panton would never have been able to find a producer in 1960s Denmark.

Or indeed, based on Monique’s experience, in 21st century China.

Ironically. Given the volume of illegal copies originating there.

Whereas the generation before Verner Panton found their success in the creation of a unified, definable conservative form language based around the same one material; Verner Panton found his success, and ultimately revitalised Danish furniture design, because he used new developments in production and material technology to rebel against these established perceptions.

Which could lead one to the conclusion that if Danish design is to remain relevant in the future they need designers who, in effect, rebel against Panton.

And are they? In which direction is Danish furniture design going at the moment?

Listening to Jonas, Monique and their contemporaries one gets a good impression of young designers who no longer see a contract with a big name international producer as their ultimate goal and who understand their work as solutions to problems rather than “just” products. Or as Monique so eloquently puts it, ” I think there is a tendency of combining design with other disciplines be it sociology or ecology, and so looking for the deeper meaning to your products”

If that isn’t a rebellion against pop art revivalism!

But perhaps more importantly one gets an impression of young designers for whom “Danish design” is no longer a design style. But a simple geographical indicator.

Similarly there are also new, young Danish producers such as Hay or Normann Copenhagen who have also grasped this and who tend to have much more international rosters than was the case in the golden age of Danish design; who however remain open to young Danish designers.

And such producers coupled to a continuing stream of talented and intelligent furniture architects such as Jonas Pedersen and Monique Engelund certainly gives us hope for the future of furniture design in Denmark.

Maybe CODE 10 just came to soon!

During Copenhagen Design Week Monique Engelund is presenting Noah’s Ark, a joint installation with Sophie Alexandrine which explores the ecological burden of over consumption in the context of furniture design.

Noah's Ark from Monique Engelund and Sophie Alexandrine @ Copenhagen Design Week

The winner the Dark Lime Vitra Panton Chair Summer Cocktail Competition is Alessandro Barison.

Congratulations !!!

His “Spritz Upgrade” – essentially a classic Spritz with sparkling water and orange juice – or a Bucks Fizz with Aperol as one jury member commented – was the unanimous victor.

The principle reason given being that the addition of the orange juice and water lightened the drink, or at least the perception of the drink, making it a wonderful accompaniment to a hot summers afternoon and a long, muggy evening.

Once again congratulations to Alessandro, thank you to all others who entered and for all who didn’t win more information on the limited edition Dark Lime Vitra Panton Chair can be found at “Summertime in dark lime”

And all submitted cocktail recipes can be found here

Dark Lime Vitra Panton Chair Summer Cocktail Competition: The Winner

Summertime in dark lime: Spritz Upgrade by Alessandro Barison

London based design studio Barber Osgerby stands as a testament to the fact that high quality work will always win through, with or without the media status “star designer”

While its fair to say that many of their contemporaries have been placed on international glossy magazine pedestals, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby have remained largely in the shadows, quietly producing consistently high quality work for both international producers and private customers.

That is however slowly changing and Barber Osgerby are now getting the public recognition they unquestionably deserve.

The pair first achieved a wider public with their award winning De La Warr Chair through Established & Sons in 2005; however in the course of their career Barber Osgerby have built up strong relationships and delivered highly individual collections for companies as varied as Capellini, Magis or ClassiCon.

In 2010 Barber Osgerby completed their first project for Vitra – the Map Table and Tip Ton Chair.

The launch of Map Table and Tip Ton Chair in Milan came shortly after the announcement that Barber Osgerby had won perhaps their most prestigious contract thus far: the commission to design the Olympic Torch for London 2012.

In July 2012 Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby’s torch will light the Olympic Fire – but here and now in July 2011 you can light your own fire with Jay Osgerby’s Caipirissima

And if you share your favourite cocktail recipe us you could win a limited edition Dark Lime Panton Chair from Vitra.

Full details on how to enter our summer competition can be found here.

Good Luck!

Jay Osgerby’s Caipirissima

2 measures of White Rum

1 measure of Sugar Syrup

1 Lime

0.25 measure of lime juice.

Cut the lime into eigths.

Muddle the lime and sugar to release the juices and oils in the skin of the lime.

Pour rum and extra lime juice into glass, add crushed ice and stir.

The London 2012 Olympic Torch by Barber Osgerby

Tip Ton by Barber Osgerby for Vitra

Until July 31st we are giving readers the chance to win a limited edition Dark Lime Panton Chair.

In effect we are swapping a Dark Lime Panton Chair for a summer cocktail/mixed drink recipe.

The best wins!

In order to give you some ideas and inspiration we have asked several Vitra VIPs for their favourite recipe.

Today Vitra Chief Design Officer Eckart Maise shares his Caipirinha recipe

He obvioulsy can’t win – but he can share a recipe!!!

As the man who commissioned works such as Tip Ton by Barber Osgerby or Waver by Konstantin Grcic, Eckart Maise obviously has taste. And we can assure you his Caipirinha is no exception.

If you want to be in with chance of winning the Limited Edition Dark Lime Panton Chair, simply tell us your favourite summer cocktail/mixed drink recipe.

Full details on how you can enter can be found here

Eckart Maise’s Caipirinha Recipie:

- 6 cl Cachaça
- White cane sugar
- 1 Lime,  unsprayed, unwaxed

Preparation:

Wash the lime and remove the ends. Quarter the lime and place in a long glass.

Add 2 or 3 teaspoons of sugar and mash the sugar and limes together.

Fill the glass with ice and pour in the Cachaça.

Stir and serve with a straw.

Win a Dark Lime Panton Chair from Vitra

Perfect for the balcony or garden

Summer.

Sun.

Cocktails.

In order to allow you to enjoy this combination to the full (smow) are giving away a Dark Lime Panton Chair.

To be in with chance of winning a limited edition summer 2011 version of Verner Panton’s classic cantilever chair, simply tell us your favourite summer cocktail or mixed drink recipe; alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

The only rule is that it must contain a slice of lime!

And be perfect for a long summers evening in a Vitra Panton Chair!

The competition is open until July 31st – our jury of amateur mixologists will then select a winner.

Simply add your recipe below!

And if you want, let us know what you like about the Panton Chair. We’d love to know!

Good luck!

(To keep things clean all recipes need to be checked and authorised. This can take an hour or two. And to confirm, the prize is one Vitra Panton Chair in the limited edition Dark Lime colour. There is no cash alternative! Entries will be accepted until 23.59 on 31.07.2011)

Win a Dark Lime Vitra Panton Chair

Perfect for a summer evening on the balcony or in the garden...

For all those looking to make their summer balcony even more exclusive, Vitra are currently offering the Panton Chair in a one-off summer 2011 Dark Lime edition.

The offer is strictly limited on a first-come-first-serve basis, and only available online.

That said, the dark lime Panton Chair costs the same as all other colours!

An “exclusive” product at no extra cost. So to say.

As with all Vitra Panton Chairs the „Summertime in dark lime” special edition is constructed from a special UV resistant polypropylene meaning that it can be used outdoors without fear of the colour fading.

Clearly if you leave it standing outdoors 24/7 for the next 10 years the colour will fade.

That is to be expected. Obviously.

However if used normally, sensibly and responsibly out of doors, one should not notice any colour fading over the years.

The dark lime Panton chairs are scheduled to leave Vitra this week (i.e week beginning 27.06) and so could be on your balcony, in your garden or simply in your house by mid July.

Full details and order information can be found at: Vitra Panton Chair Summertime in dark lime

Summertime in dark lime. The Vitra Panton Chair Summer 2011 Edition

One of the most famous – and arguably professionally relevant – phases in Verner Panton’s life was his journeys through Europe.
Following his graduation from Copenhagen Art school Verner Panton gave up his position with Arne Jaobsen, converted his VW bus to a basic mobile studio and set off on a series of tours throughout Europe during which he made contact with numerous designers and producers.

While its probably fair to say that this experience alone didn’t shape his future work – the journeys did what all such experiences should do and opened his eyes and mind to new ideas, new approaches and new possibilities.

And so helped form the European Verner Panton.

Given this background it is therefore not unsurprising that Verner Panton’s work also travels so well.
It is after all in the genes.

At the Leipzig Buchmesse we were given a privalleged preview of a forthcoming travelogue written by one of Verner Panton’s younger chairs

In “Jordan isn’t just a tabloid creation” Verner, Panton Chair junior describes the adventures he experienced on a road trip undertaken with a group of strangers from Stuttgart to the Jordanian capital Amman.

An illustrared novel “Jordan isn’t just a tabloid creation” is principally written for children, is however told with a tongue in cheek directness that means adults will find their own amusement in many of the tales.

And although still very much a project in development, the first cosplay Panton Chair characters could already be seen within Leipzig Messe.
Which certainly bodes well for the future.

“Jordan isn’t just a tabloid creation” by Verner, Panton Chair junior wont be released until the autumn, but we can exclusively offer a few sample pages.

The first is printed below, a further four can be found exclusively on the smow facebook page.

The travels of Verner, Panton Chair Junior. Coming soon