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Take a Seat – Fermob
French outdoor furniture and lighting manufacturer Fermob has an inherently holistic view of its contribution to the world of design. In fact, the company – which has produced iconic pieces for over a century from its factories in France – sees its furniture and lighting as important catalysts for human relationships. Its iconic chairs can be found in private and public spaces around the world where they have a hand in influencing social conditions and fostering genuine human interaction.
As Fermob Chairman of Directors Bernard Reybier says, “the chair is a social link.” It is a lofty expectation for the humble four-legged form, but one to which each Fermob seating collection rises with ease. This can be traced to several factors: firstly, Fermob’s approach to colour creates great initial appeal. Its wide-ranging colour chart – which lies at the heart of Fermob’s vivacious French spirit – encompasses myriad shades, al-lowing users to gravitate towards their preferred tones. As well as this, colour has the power to place loose furniture within its context – it can be a bold focal point or a discreet and intimate gesture, depending on the shade.
As Fermob Chairman of Directors Bernard Reybier says, “the chair is a social link.” It is a lofty expectation for the humble four-legged form, but one to which each Fermob seating collection rises with ease.
Form goes hand in hand with colour, and Fermob’s chairs are characterised by refined lines and fluid shapes that combine comfort and aesthetics. As such, a Fermob chair is not only instantly inviting but its ergonomic value enables a prolonged experience. This, in turn, creates a condition in which interaction and engagement is possible, allowing people to share in a fleeting moment or a compelling conversation, all while nestling into a shapely seat.
It’s also important to consider how a chair can influence the environment within which it sits and, in turn, affect human behaviour. For example, at Place de la République in Paris, pieces from Fermob’s Luxembourg collection sit in loose clusters, suggesting sociability and encouraging openness and conviviality through the splayed and informal arrangement. On the flip side, the same chairs dot the edges of the lawns in the city’s famed Jardin du Luxembourg, the exact gardens that inspired this collection. Intentionally oriented towards the grassy expanses, they provide an opportunity for retreat and solitude amongst the garden’s beautiful surrounds.
Form goes hand in hand with colour, and Fermob’s chairs are characterised by refined lines and fluid shapes that combine comfort and aesthetics.
Finally, New York City’s Bryant Park is a prime example of how seating can sublimate a sense of place. Every day, Manhattanites and tourists alike spend time in this popular green space and Fermob’s 4000Bistro chairs are central to their experience of it. The early morning sees a scattering of people sitting in quietude, savouring a rare moment of tranquillity before the city wakes. Mere hours later, the park and its many chairs are filled with throngs of people, mingling and gathering in small groups. This noteworthy change in pace and behaviour can be credited to many factors, yet Fermob’s iconic Bistro chair is the indisputable social link.
Whether it’s a spot to perch, a surface upon which to pause or a seat to suitably settle in to, Fermob grasps the art of sitting – and makes it look good, too. Moreover, its deeply ingrained values transcend form and function, tapping into the wider cultural and social role of furniture in relation to human connection.
