Who are your favorite Furniture designers?

George Nakashima

-- Urban logger, http://nelsonwoodworks.biz/

This is a difficult question for me to answer

My tastes run towards “unadorned”, but useful styles. This includes the various Shaker groups, Gustav Stickley, and some of the simpler Greene and Greene work. I can’t say I have a particular person in mind, only the styles.

I’m fortunate to live in an area where widely varying opportunities to see original work exist in easy day trips. This causes me to change my feelings as I see new influences.

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

Azwoodman….......interesting question that has reared its head over time. Throwing out a name, doesn’t really mean much. The key is why a particular furniture designer is seleceted. Most names that will be pop up here will be those that people know of, but they will not be the best. Just those who individuals are more aware of.

The best ones are too busy figuring what materials and techniques can be used effectively. The best furniture designers create a form, then move on looking for another form and let others be inspired to build variations of that form.

Don’t look for individual names, investigate the discipline of design and over time, narrow the scope. Don’t look at a name, look at an objects form.

Neil

Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann for furniture, Phillip Weber for boxes

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

My first favorite designer is “Anonymous”....All that beautiful and prodigious furniture that nobody knows who was the brillint ebaniste to pruduce it, that includes many of my favoritu furniture from colonial periods and Shaker villages.
From the list of “known” designers, I like Jean Prouve, although many of his furniture is in steel with wooden parts. Hans J. Wegner is other of my favorite designers from the scandinavian side.

-- Francisco Luna, San Francisco Bay Area.

Neil, I appreciate your comment. I guess I am really trying to just broaden my scope of whats really out there. If you have any references for me to search (ie. books, websites, etc) about design I would love it! I am really just trying to soak up all that I can. As you have said, I have found that the root of a good design isnt the name attached to it so much as how each piece makes me feel or what thoughts it gives me. Ive also found that some furniture design is actually inspired by architecture, which I thought was pretty cool. Maybe I should take a class on design or something…?

Spencer

-- -Spencer, Gilbert Az (http://www.azwoodshop.com)

Philip Weber’s boxes are amazing!

-- -Spencer, Gilbert Az (http://www.azwoodshop.com)

Chippendale

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Since I’ve been on LJs, I was introduced to Greene, & Greene, now they’re my favorites.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I guess I’d say Shaker or Mission, maybe. Thx for posting the link to Phil Weber. Those are really wild and crazy!!

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Spencer….The eye must be educated as we educate other senses….photography, drawing or simply magazine viewing will help you to educate your eye. Visit nice buildings (nice ones) every time you have a chance..
You dont really need to take a course about design (but of course if you take it, doesnt hurt you!) Books + History are the key!
Borders and B&N does’t have really good books about Architecture and Design, the ones they have are so generic….would be better to locate an specializaed bookstore in your area

Online?
William Stout Architectural Books
Princeton Architectural press
Taschen

-- Francisco Luna, San Francisco Bay Area.

Weber should be a national treasure…

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Thanks Moai! I like your advice. Ill look into those.

-- -Spencer, Gilbert Az (http://www.azwoodshop.com)

I like the simple elegance and sound constuction of the Shakers. Chris Becksvoort is incredible. http://www.chbecksvoort.com/

-- My philosophy: Somewhere between Norm and Roy