What Has Become of Furniture Design?

Interesting perspective….

Certainly, there are styles that become a fad for some number of years… we call these Mission, Art Deco or Mid-Century Modern, or something else; and we get into a rut of everyone making some version of these styles. Then we have fads around specific types of furniture: IMO there are far too many "Maloof-inspired Rocking Chairs"; and too many others making styles honed by a long-dead creative genius… as if we can tap into that genius simply by replicating the design. If it is the shop-time you're looking for… copy someone else's design; personally, I don't do that anymore.

That said, I think there are two important types of furniture builders: those that see the design process as an art-form; and those that make serious quality furniture for function and usage. Both serve the craft well.

I've never been a fan of FWW's Gallery; though, interestingly, I was looking at the April edition today. It is not work that I would build; but many look at my work, and wonder what medication I'm taking - certainly, my wife thinks I should sell my equipment and take up something useful.

I'm not trying to pick a fight - I do believe that too many of us are thinking alike.

and some new take on box-joints or Miss

How do you feel about the turning taste in modern furniture? I want to know. - poopiekat

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Design taste is just like food preferences. No need to worry about: as it changes often, is usually practical, and sometimes radical. :-(0)

IMHO - Current furniture trends are targeted towards busy younger generation that just needs functional furniture quickly. Has to be cheap, then easy to build-clean-move. These needs align with simple Danish Modern styles. For which I blame the heavy IKEA exposure of the newest generation of wood workers.

Think about it: When was last time you drug your kids into a real furniture store or furniture design gallery; shopping for a new living room or dining room furniture? Last shopping trip was likely looking for big couch or recliners to park in front of the big screen TV, or disposable bed side table for kids; right?

It is not until folks get older, and have more disposable income; that they are willing to spend more for more substantial and artistic pieces. My tastes changed over time. Before kids, everything was practical. I lived in a work shop with attached kitchen & bedroom; regardless of the home design. When kids entered my life, everything had to be hard to destroy. As kids got older, became less worried about damage and considered making fancy pieces with carvings, or elaborate molding work. But even as my tastes changed, I never trusted most of the skinny legged modern French 'Provincial' designs. I prefer French Baroque, so it don't get broke. Will never get away from the need to withstand my 250lb, 6'6" tall son or one his football team members sitting on it.

Cheers!

I design a number of My own pieces to use and sell and I like to design with curves and forms in mind based on what wood I am using to create a punch with grain. However, the form should follow the function, otherwise, it is an art, not furniture. As a woodworker looking at work and pieces to get inspiration I wholeheartedly agree with your statement "some with joinery that looks like it will fail under severe usage, and other creations that just look clumsy in appearance IMO." If it will not perform the function or last long it is really not furniture. I built sets and other creative items for shows for years that are up and beautiful and then gone forever after the show and all you have is pictures. Not meant to last anyway. My goal in furniture is definitely to design and build pieces that will last for centuries because it is durable and loved enough to be taken care of. I am sure I have not achieved that level yet but still an ideal to shoot for. It takes real-time to build quality pieces, even simple designs have their effort.

Sometimes I get people who just want me to build something but it won't last based on their ask and or the worst "just slap something together for me". I'll pass. Obviously, we are on different pages I finally got through my head. "Just" can be a terrible word.

I find, like architecture, furniture design has been worked out into several styles over the centuries that function as well as being pleasing. I read a book on the history of furniture, going from a log through box into tables, chairs, and chests. Then how cultural influences were added as time and technology increased the options. Think about styles like Shaker. By cultural rules, no extra ornamentation, but their craftsman were just as good artists as anyone so they paid attention to proportion. Pleasing and durable. Good design.

Anyway, basic proportions, golden rations etc. still hold as there is something human about them. Basic styles: I prefer Chinese provincial, Campaign, Stickly, with a bit of Bauhouse Parsons, Eames thrown in. A lot of "art" furniture spends too much time being "artsey" and is not functional. Fine for display, but furniture design should fall under "industrial design" . Function and visual.

Of course, if you are building to commission, you build what they want even if you find it tasteless.

There. my two cents worth.

although i dont likje all styles/ fads, i can have an appreciation for just about all of it.

except for this insane OSB furniture thing. this is a huge NO to me.

I too see all the new, wild to me designs. And while virtually none of it has a place in my home. I can appreciate the design. And sometimes I too wonder how will that work. Some of the joinery is really cool, others I feel are doomed to fail. But in the end I look at it like the Prototype cars I remember of the 60s and 70s. Wild designs and none of them went into mass production. But key features may influence the design of the car that does make it into production.

I have only been seriously woodworking for about 10 years. So I have a bit of Thomasville, and Ethan Allen furniture, mixed with my own work. Those stores are long gone now here in Vegas, and the big box furniture stores that have replaced, or survived are just trying to compete with Ikea.
So I am a point now that there will be no new store bought furniture for me. Although I may very well not make it all myself.
I have made several friends over the years that are making furniture professionally.
Some are simply chasing the live edge scene, (and making a killing at it). Good for them too.
While others are making more traditional. And that is more of an individuals specialty that I am very happy to see that there is a thriving market for. I mean one friend specializes in old Victorian. Amazing carving work, while another makes more mission style to modern. All with there own twist, so nothing seems to be actually copied.
I too agree I have seen enough Malloof inspired rockers.

Well, okay, first off, I ll admit that I m getting old.

What am I missing here? Has the state of the art furniture become so abstract that I no longer recognize it? Does new furniture have to be so avante-garde to gain acceptance within the artsy interior decorating community?

Or is it just that I live in my own bubble, my peer pressure pushing me for achievement in classical designs rather than exploring the non-traditional mindset? I m sourcing out materials and veneers for an 18th century bonnet top highboy. Should I just hang it up and make something weird, asymmetrical, ungainly and odd-looking, and wait for a reaction?

How do you feel about the turning taste in modern furniture? I want to know.

- poopiekat

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Well, okay, first off, I'll admit that I m getting old. (Man I am right there with ya)

I have never tried to keep up with the current fad. I appreciate all the old designs, and have a love of Greene and Greene. And while that style inspires my work, I have nothing in my home that can be called Greene and Greene. Go figure.
Please don't cave into any sort of peer pressure, and keep building whatever YOU want to build. Many out there notice, and appreciate the classical designs.

although i dont likje all styles/ fads, i can have an appreciation for just about all of it.

except for this insane OSB furniture thing. this is a huge NO to me.

- tomsteve

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Here's another piece probably by the same people.

Barf.