As a long-standing Vitra partner the (smow)blog team naturally paid an early visit to the Vitra stand. Vitra's principle new project this year is the Vegetal by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec ... over which we have previously written.
This time however we can also say that we have sat in a Vegetal and can report that it is much more stable than it looks in the pictures. The result of four years research, and a lot of trial and error, Vegetal is firm without being uncomfortable and - despite appearances - a cushion is not necessary. And although suitable for outdoor use, Vegetal can also be happily used as kitchen chair or in a waiting room area.
The other product that caught our attention on the Vitra stand is "a little" older than Vegetal, but for us the meeting was also a premier.
The ETR - Elliptical Table Rod Base by Charles and Ray Eames is classic of 1950's American design ... and looks fantastic. On the Vitra stand they matched it with the Place Sofa from Jasper Morrison, but with its sleek, low profile and unobtrusive character it would pass perfectly in any living room.
