Take A Seat — The Great Dane Dining Chair Collection

Words by James Lyall Smith
Photography by Shannon McGrath

Think upon any memorable dining experience and it no doubt commenced with the simple act of taking a seat. Combining purity of form and lithe lines with honest materiality and the inimitable quality of handcraftsmanship, the Great Dane dining chair collection honours the timeless importance of sharing a meal, from simple family dinners to celebratory feasts.

For over two decades, Great Dane has been committed to bringing superior Scandinavian design to the Australian market, along the way generating an unsurpassed portfolio of dining chairs, invaluable long-term relationships with iconic designers and a reputation for elevating quality above all else. Testament to a 20-year business journey built on integrity, Great Dane’s collection of dining chairs includes such exclusive offerings as the DC09 chair and bar stool by renowned Japanese-Danish design duo INODA+SVEJE.

The DC09 chair and bar stool exemplify quality craftmanship fused with aesthetic beauty, where Japanese minimalism converges with Scandinavian style. These iconic pieces feature smooth sculptural curves that become the centrepiece of any room.

The Great Dane Dining Chair Collection Issue 10 Feature The Local Project Image (2)

The DC09 chair and bar stool exemplify quality craftmanship fused with aesthetic beauty, where Japanese minimalism converges with Scandinavian style. These iconic pieces feature smooth sculptural curves that become the centrepiece of any room. A favourite among those who value aesthetics as well as ergonomics, the DC09 chair and bar stool are available in oak, walnut or ash timber, creating a chair that inspires a new appreciation for craft and comfort.

The background of designers Kyoko Inoda and Nils Sveje clearly informs their work. Internationally acclaimed, the multi-disciplinary design duo effortlessly combines the timeless appeal of Scandinavian design with the innovative functionality of Japanese furniture through every piece. Since founding their design practice in 2000 in Copenhagen and then settling in Milan in 2003, INODA+SVEJE has gone on to transcend the fields of furniture and product design and make its mark on audio and medical technology.

This crowning achievement in the careers of both designers is one of the central pieces of the Great Dane dining chair collection and the foundation upon which the partnership has been built.

INODA+SVEJE’s innovative approach and merging of two of the world’s most influential design styles resulted in the development of the much-lauded DC09 chair and bar stool, which is crafted by the Miyazaki Chair Factory in Japan. This crowning achievement in the careers of both designers is one of the central pieces of the Great Dane dining chair collection and the foundation upon which the partnership has been built. “Great Dane has chosen to represent us, and we feel very privileged for this. From the very start, Anton was very positive and engaging, and we are happy to contribute whenever possible as it all feels like one big family,” says Nils.

Great Dane’s strong relationship with INODA+SVEJE has resulted in the game changing Reserve Collection, an initiative designed to ensure Great Dane maintains an exclusive supply of the brand’s most coveted designs, including the DC09 chair and bar stool. Cognisant that quality handcrafted Scandinavian furniture takes time, the Great Dane Reserve Collection dramatically reduces lead times on exclusive pieces through a ‘reserve stock’ of products – an arrangement only made possible through the forging of invaluable relationships with designers over the past two decades.

It has taken Great Dane 20 years to develop its range of dining chairs, inspired by the commitment to bringing the very best in authentic Scandinavian design to the Australian market. Through offerings such as the DC09 chair and bar stool and the Reserve Collection, Great Dane continues its dedicated pursuit of greatness.