This Finnish designer is one of the pioneering modern architects, and one of my fave product and furniture designers. His home furniture designs struck cord with furniture buffs of the times, not to mention his popular association with Knoll International. His furniture design career commenced by way of successful design collaboration with Charles Eames, their “Organic Design in Home Furnishings winning a competition in 1940, featured at the Museum of Modern Art in NY.

Saarinen’s modern designs effortlessly moved back and forth between the International style and expressionism, utilizing a vocabulary of curves and cantilevered forms. Known as the master of neo-expressionism, (a phenomenon that evolved from the work of visionary artists and designers in Germany, and other European countries during the first decades of the twentieth century), his most popular buildings include the TWA terminal at the John F Kennedy Airport in New York and the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan.

furniture designer, he was admired for his original sculpted designs. The Tulip chair is a statement by itself; and others like the Pedestal dining tables and neo-classic coffee tables that offer an insight into his innovative abilities. Thinking original is always difficult, and I love the guy for his great vision and his passion for design. His love for curves and sculpted forms can be seen his Ped table designs—the Oval, Side table and the Round table.

With the Oval dining table, the surprise element remains. I mean look at it, it could well have been designed now, here, in these times. Besides the Tulip chair, this furniture design was a part of his research of “organic furniture”, which marked the epitome of Saarinen’s career, important icons of modern classic furniture. Eero Saarinen’s had the unique ability to merge color, form and material in a unique shape.

The Pedestal side table is remarkable. In his words, “The underside of typical chairs and tables makes a confusing, unrestful world. I wanted to clear up the slum of legs.” Modern classics redefined, you can find these tables on Spacify..:)

Another Pedestal dining beauty with a round top is a holistic design—the round. This conic expression of modernism has been included in museum collections around the world. The corresponding pedestal table and other furniture design has been brought forth…well this stuff is truly historic, and can’t be tagged a price, but they do come at a price…..don’t they!

Pleasant look inside our homes is what we always want. In our living room, we want everything to look good. We also wants our bedroom and dining room to be equally good looking. We usually have a theme for each room or our home in general. There are different designs to choose from. Some just love to have Hekman or classic furniture. It will all depend on our preferences. The following are some of Hekman furniture themes :

Castilian Collection
Castilian collection is a theme that symbolizes the Spanish history. Furniture of this theme is usually made out of white mahogany and teak. Gleaming bee’s wax was applied for the final touch. Each piece is work-of-art to consider like bed, table and chest. This theme is usually seen in elegant manor houses but now we may also apply this on our home.

Copley Square Collection
This theme is considered one of the finest pieces and popular by the experts. These beautifully created pieces are usually made out of dyewood, tulipwood, ebony and mahogany. Exeptional, this theme is what it’s all about because of the verified artistry and craftsmanship of each piece.

Loire Valley Collection
This theme is constantly judged as legendary, indulgent and poetic. The inspiration of this theme is the landscapes of Loire Valley. The purpose of this classic theme is to provide abundant architecture and pleasure of comfortable lifestyle. All are blended harmoniously for each carvings and finishing touches this is all for the tribute of Loire Valley.

Maison de Provence Collection
This theme is done considering this French words: “joie de vivre” which means the joy of living. This theme was motivated for Provence. Somehow, your passport to “joie de vivre” is this classic furniture theme.

Metropolis Collection
The experts consider this Hekman furniture as “sophisticated”. This theme is an absolute feast for the eyes. Metropolis collection can also be considered as new traditional. This theme is Hekman at its finest.

Mountain Retreat Collection
Usually the materials of this theme is knotty birch solids and knotty rogue-cherry veneers. The finishing touch for the pieces are rubbed with a golden oil to attain the Indian Summer color then applying bee’s wax achieves a deep-rich patina.

Repertory Collection
Taking classic to a new stage is remarked for this theme. Neoclassical and Empire is the type of furnishings. It replicates the designs before in Greek and Roman archeological excavations during the reigns of Napoleon I. This theme was masterfully integrated by Hekman into pieces that possess ancient history and remind us of the past.

Retro furniture not just sounds interesting; it also has a rich history to be proud of. The word “retro” has its origin from the 1950’s cutting right through the times with current furniture items. The decade produced a diverse range of ideas and innovative furniture. There were many names and designs that revolutionized the furniture era with modern designs like steel tubular furniture, G-plan and other innovative designs that forms the concept of ‘retro’.

Retro belongs to mid century classics and includes Bauhaus furniture and lavish leather sofas that left its modern impression and are still much adored. The style is back and it’s the rage like never before. But before we purchase some classic retro furniture, let us learn a bit about its history.  Belonging to the era and before are some names that have steeped the history of retro modern classic furniture. Telling the tale of some unsung and recognized heroes from the times should include,

Eileen Gray:  An unsung name, Eileen Gray was a designer and architect who won acclaim quite later in her life. Her designs were modern and had an individualistic mark that inspired both modernists and the Art Deco. Her collaboration with architect and critic Jean Badovici led to introduction of tubular steel furniture, rugs and lighting for her studio and Galerie Jean Désert.

Joseph Hoffman: An Austrian architect and town planner, he was popularly known as “Quadralateral Hoffmann” for his passion for geometric forms. His armchairs and sofas in geometric patterns were a rage with modern classic designer and craftsmen. Hoffman`s modern classic work combined the rationalism of Wagner with geometrical, rectilinear style of decoration influenced by Charles R. Mackintosh.

Le Corbusier : Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris, or more popularly known as Le Corbusier (October 6, 1887 – August 27, 1965), was a Swiss-born architect, designer, urbanist, writer and painter. Also recognized for his visionary architecture, what now is called Modern Architecture, Le Corbusier started his venture on furniture design in 1928 after inviting the architect, Charlotte Perriand, to join his studio.

Charles Ray Eames: Charles Eames (1907-1978) and his wife started the modern classics trend in the 20^th century with their great designs and child-development toys and puzzles. They were a successful couple whose work designs like seating furniture in mesh, metal legged chairs and other revolutionary designs were much admired worldwide.

George Nelson: George Nelson was a visionary architect and designer with rare talent. His work includes Marshmallow sofa, the Nelson platform bench and the first L-shaped desk, a forerunner to the present-day modern workstation. He also designed graphic wall clocks, bubble lamps made of self-webbing plastic and developed forward looking, occasionally futuristic concepts.

Harry Bartoia: A futuristic Italian designer, Harry Bertoia envisioned futuristic designs that inspire people today. His patented Diamond chair for Knoll in 1952 is an unusually beautiful piece of furniture. The unique quality about the chair was its robustness within the light and almost petite frame, making it a huge commercial success. With the success of Diamond chair, the world was introduced to a new material—wire mesh and it was a great icon of modern design.

Marcel Breuer: Marcel Breuer is famous even today for his modern classic designs better known as the Breuer Chairs. Well acclaimed for his Simplistic designs combined with neat lines make these chairs exceptionally popular. The range of Breuer chairs includes Marcel Breuer Cesca Arm Chair, Breuer Wassily Chair, and Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair etc. Besides Breuer Chairs, the Breuer label is also known for Marcel Breuer Bookshelves.

 Mies Van Der Rohe: A popular architect of his times, Mies Van Der Rohe built one of his most famous buildings, the German Pavilion at the International Exposition in Barcelona, for which he also created a chair called the Barcelona Chair. He was considered a visionary architect whose work was much acclaimed worldwide.

Retro design furniture from the Fifties onwards includes many designers from the USA as well as Europe and Scandinavia. From the US, designers had a huge impact on furniture production throughout the, world. Once you have decided on a retro theme of furniture like mesh, steel or leather or perhaps a merger of themes, check out for details like color and finish the manufacturer has to offer. Retro is backing the big way. And you can be sure that it will be in vogue. How you team it up with your modern furniture is a creative venture by itself.