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INTERIORS NEWS | MUJI MANUFACTURED BY THONET

MUJI MANUFACTURED BY THONET

 

Causing a stir of quite sizeable proportions within the design industry this month, the recent ´joining of forces´ between Japanese lifestyle brand, Muji, and iconic German furniture manufacturer, Thonet, ´Muji manufactured by Thonet´, has left us all wondering, ´are we really sitting comfortably?´ and ´are there any reasons not to invest in these rejuvenated design classics from furniture brands we´ve come to know and love?´

 

For whoever said re-inventing the wheel wasn´t necessary or exciting, the launch of two contemporary interpretations of the historical bentwood and tubular steel chairs made by Thonet in years gone by - the ´No.14´ chair (now named the 214) first produced in 1859, and a classic Bauhaus tubular steel variety designed by members of the world famous design school in the 1920´s – show that no matter what fashions come and go, the tried and tested, simple ideas really are the best. 

 

Thanks to Muji and Thonet we´ve now been given reasons to fill our homes with the 21st Century´s very own design classics. Originally crafted as affordable but good quality furniture, the chairs became somewhat more desirable, luxury items over the course of the last 100 years due to distribution issues, moving further and further away from the company´s initial concept of producing ´reasonably priced furniture for the general public´. But, working with Muji has enabled the German brand revive it´s wood curving techniques and fine craftsmanship and bring a range to market that fulfils the brief the company set out with in the early days.

 

Manufactured under Thonet’s strict scrutiny at their Frankenberg HQ and available exclusively at Muji stores in Japan, Germany, Paris and the UK, ´Muji manufactured by Thonet´ is set to take both brands to a new level of interiors style, with plans to further develop the range in the near future.

 

´Both Muji and Thonet have collaborated with international designers in the past. What is ground breaking for both companies is the decision to work together with named designers to reinterpret important design masterpieces from Thonet’s historic back catalogue, making them accessible to a younger, broader, “Muji” marketplace. By uniting the design heritage, skilled craftsmanship and manufacturing capabilities of Thonet with the streamlined design aesthetic of Muji, not to mention its youthful, design savvy audience, beautiful designs gain new relevance for today’s modern, urban lifestyle.´

 

In line with strict environmental policies of both companies, materials and manufacturing processes have been carefully selected both for their minimal impact on the environment and for their cost. Whilst quality remains a key priority in the development of these designs, accessibility is paramount. These are investment pieces without the luxury price tag.

 

It seems that the original ethos behind Thonet´s designs, ´bringing quality chairs to everyone´, seems to have won in the end and with prices starting from £215 for a beech, bentwood chair, we´re rather pleased.

 

´Muji manufactured by Thonet´ is available to buy through Muji´s Tottenham Court Road store. Call 020 7436 1779 to place an order, allowing 6-8 weeks for delivery.