Modern Icons: Poul Kjærholm's PK22 Easy Chair
Industrial meets natural in this straight but supple midcentury lounge chair
The design world already had its eyes on Poul Kjærholm by the time he graduated from the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in 1952. During school he studied industrial design under architect Jøen Utzon and apprenticed under Hans Wegner. Both of these influences are evident in what Kjærholm produced; he loved to explore the contrasts between architecture and sculpture and between natural and industrial elements.
This is clearly seen in his PK series of furniture, especially the PK22 Easy Chair. The shape is clean and simple, combining straight lines with a supple silhouette. The structure's simple engineering is easy to see in the minimalist design. The legs are crafted of steel while the seats come in natural materials (leather or wicker).
This is clearly seen in his PK series of furniture, especially the PK22 Easy Chair. The shape is clean and simple, combining straight lines with a supple silhouette. The structure's simple engineering is easy to see in the minimalist design. The legs are crafted of steel while the seats come in natural materials (leather or wicker).
Kjærholm learned cabinetmaking as a teenager and became a highly skilled woodworker. He was certified as a journeyman cabinetmaker before he became known for his chairs. He went on to win many design awards and kept a consistent career in the academic arena of design as well.
Midcentury Armchairs And Accent Chairs
One of Kjærholm's first chair designs, the PKO chair, was originally inspired by the lightness of ancient Greek klismos chairs. This lightness continued to be a focus of his designs as the PK series evolved.
In 1982, Fritz Hansen took over the production and sales of The Kjærholm Collection, developed from 1951 to 1967 designs. Newly manufactured chairs are licensed exclusively by Fritz Hansen and can be found at modern furniture retailers.
In 1982, Fritz Hansen took over the production and sales of The Kjærholm Collection, developed from 1951 to 1967 designs. Newly manufactured chairs are licensed exclusively by Fritz Hansen and can be found at modern furniture retailers.
The PK22 is a comfortable lounge chair that doesn't take up much visual space. In this room the chairs provide two extra seats and preserve the view across the room and through the windows. Clunkier upholstered chairs would have weighed the room down.
This seating area is not very deep and needs something low and light. The PK22s are the perfect size and shape, and they add just the right amount of leather to the material palette.
Furniture light in color and weight keeps an open and airy feel in this relaxing pool house. The lounge chair in the foreground is Kjærholm's Hammock Chaise, also known as the PK24 Chaise Longue.
See this room from the opposite side.
See this room from the opposite side.
Using wicker PK22s adds to the modern beachy vibe of this home.
Here a pair of wicker PK22s nicely contrast Barcelona Chairs upholstered in leather.
The layered mix of furnishings in this loft includes a concrete bench, a woven African chair and a set of vintage PK22 chairs. Within the larger loft space, Kjærholm's chairs also relate to the vintage Danish dining chairs in the dining area as well as contemporary counter stools crafted of repurposed leather conveyor belts and steel (seen here) in the kitchen area. In the words of "The Great Lebowski," these chairs "really tie the room together."
See the rest of this loft.
More:
Great Style: Danish Modern
Modern Icons: Jens Risom Chairs
18 Great Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Modern Icons: The Anziano Chair
See the rest of this loft.
More:
Great Style: Danish Modern
Modern Icons: Jens Risom Chairs
18 Great Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Modern Icons: The Anziano Chair