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Sunday, 20 November 2005 | Elif Sungur
iL-studio's New Work
Isabelle Leijn has been designing products and furniture since 1996. Her design is characterized by strong, monumental, almost architectonical forms. She sells to a growing number of clients worldwide, either through shops or directly via her own label iL-studio, which she founded in 2000.
In her new show, Leijn investigates the possibilities of foam, that is mostly used for the fabrication of cushions. Producer Recticel manufactures the unique FrameFoam, that is so strong that a wooden or metal frame in a sitting object is no longer necessary.
The Amsterdam based designer goes one step further and uses FrameFoam in the entire design. Last year, she has designed two fauteuils and a sofa, in which not just the frame but the entire objects were made of solid FrameFoam. Because the foam in itself is too hard to sit on, Leijn thought of creative solutions to create comfort. The objects knew a construction so that your weight made the chair bend and support you at the same time. Once you got up, the object bent back in the original position, making the design modern and comfortable at the same time.
This year, iL-studio investigates the possibilities of foam even further. On show are three different sitting objects:
Sling
This chair consists of a U-shaped construction in foam, which acts as a large hinge. A sling is stretched around the U-shape, thus forming the sitting area. The pressure from the U-shaped hinge tightens the sling and supports you, no matter which position in the chair you choose. Once you get up, the chair gets back into its U-shape.
Available in two qualities of sling: the beautiful handmade felt of Claudy Jongstra on the one hand or a traditional soft fabric one on the other.
Material: FrameFoam, comfortfoam, upholstery (fabric or felt by Claudy Jongstra).
Dimensions: height 75 cm, variable sitting height, depth 70 cm and length 180 cm.
Flexor
This object is an old fashioned chaise longue in a modern appearance, and seems at first to have too much of an angle to sit on. But appearances are deceptive. The chairs bends with the weight of your body and you sink comfortably in the foam seat. The higher part of the chair comes slightly forward to support you. It is adjustable, so that you can decide how lazy you are going to be.
Material: FrameFoam, comfortfoam, upholstery.
Dimensions: height 91 cm, adjustable sitting height, depth 71 cm and length 177 cm.
RockyVI
This small sofa has the exaggerated, stylised look of a fauteuil. Clearly referring back to the sixties, its special feature is the fact that its seat floats: the sofa stands on its arm-rests and can also rock on them.
Material: FrameFoam, comfortfoam, upholstery.
Dimensions: height 86 cm, sitting height 45 cm, depth 95 cm and length 152 cm.
Also on show is a series of lamps in a very special material: LAMPFIBRE. The glass fibre fabric gives an almost holographical effect and filters the light diffusely. The large lamp-shades are shielded at the bottom, with an open focus. They are available in different models and diameters: Ø 35 cm, height 70 cm / Ø 50 cm, height 50 cm, Ø 80 cm, height 35 cm. In metallic and carbonblack, at request also in blue, yellow or red.
For more information, please visit http://www.il-studio.nl/index.htm
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