We may honour the ancient art of woodbending in crafting our designs, but as modern-day wooden furniture manufacturers we constantly have our finger on the pulse of today’s trends. Our newest releases are testament to this and we’ve kept the 2017 décor and design trend forecast in mind when producing the latest additions to the Woodbender line-up, ensuring our pieces are not only timeless but relevant too.
Minimalism has been a hot favourite for a while now and we don’t see it subsiding anytime soon. While we continue to be inundated with endless options and technological advancements in our everyday lives, we subconsciously retreat to spaces that offer refuge. The desire to have these spaces be clutter free and tranquil is at the forefront of design trends and we’ve acknowledged this when designing the Riga. With its clean lines and simplistic silhouette, the Riga bentwood chair is ideally suited for use in the home or in a restaurant setting.
In a nod to years gone by, the Alta is a classic example of retro wooden furniture done right. The Alta is an adaptation of the Riga and we’ve done away with the spindles in the backrest and replaced them with a U-shaped bend to echo the chair design of yesteryear. The subtle addition of vintage inspired pieces to any space immediately adds dimension and interest to the room, which is why we envision this wooden chair in trendy coffee shops, bistros and edgy fine dining restaurants.
2017 has seen décor step away from in-your-face opulence and instead embrace understated luxury. The Floro is an addition to our fully upholstered dining chair range and we see it being used in homes, top end restaurants and hotels. The curved legs and wrap around arms of the Floro bentwood chair lend themselves to a quiet yet distinct level of sophistication and elegance, and makes for in an inviting seat in which to enjoy a special home cooked meal or celebratory dinner at your favourite restaurant.
There has been a notable favourability towards low backrest seating this year and this ultimately inspired us in the crafting of the Malmo. In addition to the lower backrest, the Malmo also features a tapered spindle leg design, adding a touch of Nordic form and functionality. This sturdy and dependable wooden chair can be placed in a variety of settings but we can’t help but feel it would be most at home in café-style dining or contemporary office as a desk chair.
ODEN TUB & TWO SEATER– HOSPITALITY SEATING
While delicate textiles will always have their place in design, we’re seeing a strong pull toward hardier fabrics being used in furniture pieces. High traffic areas and homes with children and pets demand wooden furniture upholstered in resilient and stain-proof fabric. When such fabric is used on the Oden tub chair and two seater it makes them ideal for hotel lobbies, waiting rooms, foyers and formal lounges. The firm foam seating and backrest of the Oden can be covered in a fabric of your choice, allowing you to select a robust fabric specific to the application of your wooden chair.
OSLO – STATEMENT PIECE
We’ve adapted our popular Arabella range to bring you the Oslo, a slightly quirky high-back tub chair with simple and pared-back curved lines. There is no denying that the Oslo is a statement wooden chair, so why not upholster it in a beautiful emerald green and let it steal the show? Green is without a doubt having a moment this year and adding it to your space is guaranteed to create maximum impact. This bold bentwood chair would look particularly striking in a private home or hotel suite, foyer and waiting room. (Available with or without buttons).
HORTON – SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
All our wooden furniture designs use solid ash timber from certified forests in North America, which makes purchasing a Woodbender product a responsible and environmentally conscious decision. Sustainability in design and décor continues to be a highlight this year and we couldn’t be happier. Stay on trend by incorporating beautifully crafted, well-sourced pieces such as the Horton tables into your home or place of business. Similar to our existing Toscana range but with rounded legs, a thicker round-edge table top and large overhang, the Horton is available as a dinette, dining table and a coffee table.