Embrace natural
materials rural locations
and eco-friendly designs
with these inspiring reads
Explore 60 examples of contemporary
architecture designed to offer extraordinary
views of the natural world.
(Phaidon £29.95)Interiors stylist Hans Blomquist explores a
range of creative interiors inspired by natural
materials and colours.
(Cico Books £19.99)Dominic Bradburyâs New Natural Home has
suggestions for furnishing your home with as
little impact on the environment as possible.
(Thames & Hudson £19.95)BOOKSHELF
THE CALL OF
THE WILD
Y
ouâll possibly have already seen some of Florence Knollâs glossy
and understated furniture designs in stylish oces department
stores and hotels or indeed in the house of an on-trend friend.
Though perhaps you didnât quite recognise them as the mid-
century design classics that they are as they look just as
fashionable today as they did in 1940s America.
Born in Michigan in 1917 Knoll studied at the Cranbrook Academy of Art
and the Illinois Institute of Technology. After graduating she began to work
under her former teacher architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and was assigned
the role of designing âproject interiorsâ an aspect of the design process that her
male colleagues frequently ignored. Unsurprisingly she swiftly developed a
flair for redesigning oce spaces; creating fresh and open areas without clunky
furnishings. While working for Van der Rohe she met her future husband and
Knoll founder Hans Knoll and the two became a commanding force in corporate
design. She joined the company full-time in 1943. Together they developed and
created experimental company showrooms allowing clients to fully experience
their design concepts.
Her centenary
year gives us an
excuse to celebrate
Florence Knoll and
her immeasurable
contributions to
both interior design
and the Modernist
movement.* 020 7236 6655;
knolleurope.comNOTES ON AN ICON
This year sees the 100th
birthday of architect and
designer Florence Knoll
whose sleek and streamlined
furniture revolutionised
corporate interiors
Florence
Knoll
ABOVE A luxury living room set featuring several of
Florence Knollâs original designs including her âRelaxâ sofa
in dark brown âVeneziaâ leather and âLow Tableâ with lacquer
top LEFT An initial sketch for a Knoll advertisement drawn
by Florence Knoll taken from the extensive Knoll archive
Portrait of Florence Knoll designs and advertising sketch: knolleurope.com22 H&A SUMMER 2017