Braided & Laced
Decorative
Functionality
An exhibition reflecting the value of craftsmanship, showing furniture
made of rattan, string, or straps.
A longing for genuine craftsmanship is growing. In the search for sustainability, many designers today research older materials and craft techniques. The big question that needs to be solved is how these more sustainable findings can be implemented into modern mass production.
This themed exhibition, displayed in late 2018 at Möbeldesignmuseum (the Museum of Furniture Studies), shows how braiding and lacing techniques, have been used in furniture design and production from the late 19th century up to the present day. Various items from the collection have been chosen to illustrate the technical theme – from simple coffee shop chairs to exclusive pieces of artistic furniture.
Different braiding and lacing techniques
French braid
French braid is a classic diagonally braided technique that was a common feature of rattan furniture in many home in the late 19th century.
Envelop braiding
Danish furniture were often braided using this technique in the 1940s. The pattern can differ depending on the surface structure of the braiding material.
Webbing
Webbing was originally used for supporting load-bearing seat
elements of furniture and became fashionable with the development of the 1930s functionalism.
Rattan braiding
Rattan came to Europe in the 18th century as trade with Southeast Asia expanded. The rattan palm is a liana-like plant that grows next to watercourses.
A seminar on Braided & Laced
An evening with talks and discussions about how classic crafts techniques reflects in today’s furniture design and production. Speakers representing designers, craftsmen and furniture manufacturers shared their experiences of translating older technologies into contemporary products.
n November, the Furniture Design Museum held its first seminar discussing the use of classic materials and techniques in modern design. The seminar featured various speakers from different parts of the design and furniture industry, including Elisabeth Ahlgren, Mia Cullin, Matti Klenell, Carina Seth Andersson, Erik Larsson, Anna Lindgren, Sofia Lagerkvist, Karl Malmvall, Carl Öjerstam, Emma Olbers, and Robin Ljungar.
Topics included preserving and updating carpentry traditions, using unique material combinations, furnishing a café with rattan furniture, creative experimentation with techniques and materials, designing and developing rattan furniture for IKEA, and sustainability in furniture design.
Designers shown in the exhibition
Objects shown in the exhibition
T-Shirt chair 2
T-Shirt chair 1
Model CH 24 chair
Knotted chair
Cyborg Club chair
Flo chair
Crinoline chair
Seagrass chair
Kongeserien chair 2
Model 14 chair
Aluminium chair 1
Laced chair
Flätverk armchair
Leggera chair
Superleggera chair
Storvik lounge chair
Bror chair
Confidencen chair
Model 36 lounge chair 1
Mimat chair
City Hall chair 1
Carimate chair
M 9662 Faaborg chair
FH4233 chair
PK1 chair
Harp chair
Stora Kraal lounge chair
Kopparfly stool
Model 2242 stool
Model 1165 chair
S-Chair
Fay chair
Poem chair
Vilda 5 chair
Spaghetti chair
Grekland 1 chair
Shaker chair
Shaker barstool
Model 45 chair
