Future Perfect at Silverlining

11 - 15 October '11

London

Silverlining is launching its first limited edition collection with an exhibition to coincide with the Frieze Art Fair.

Future Perfect is a collection of 6 limited edition furniture pieces developed by Silverlining in the spirit of exploration and experimentation, with no client to answer to and no commercial constraints to consider.

Through a collaboration process between Silverlining designers and makers that has seen the heads, hearts, hands and history of Silverlining work together more closely than ever before, a world of new possibilities has opened. Pushing the boundaries of form, function and finish, each one of the concept designs at the exhibition demonstrates that little bit more of the vast potential that is design and craftsmanship in the 21st century.

The new collection comprises six pieces produced in editions of eight:

Parabolic, cabinet
a tactile piece with a curved, seemingly hovering form with a textured surface that invites touch.

Mapping, cabinet
in oak with a cedar interior, Mapping reveals what’s inside through the exterior shape. It offers a multi-sensory experience with the use of fragrant natural cedar and a rough textured oak surface.

Flux, chaise inspired by the notion of movement and the construction principles found in surfboards, the idea was to create a form and a structure that would be rigid enough, but still offer some flex, interacting with the human body. By exploring alternative construction methods and eco/natural composites and the design Flux became a continuous loop form that works with the human body and is highly comfortable, without referencing the familiar furniture of the past.

Slice, dining table
explores organic principles of growing structures, leaving support where needed and removing unnecessary weight and surfaces.

Infinity, breakfast table
its organic form elicits a strong emotional response through its rich colours. To achieve this, Silverlining developed a unique method of through staining veneer and carefully controlling the intensity of colour over specific areas. A transition of colour, from a pure lacquer in the infinity trumpet that emerges into the wood of the tabletop, Infinity explores the reactions people had to different colours. Tests using a full-scale mock up revealed that people were most fascinated by, and attracted to, a strong red in the centre of the table. Studies also show that red effects our perception of time and that time seems to last longer in the presence of red – so hopefully the table will help people take a pause and spend more time with each other. A new type of carbon fibre laminated construction was created for the Infinity table base.

LightWork, desk
reflects the changing attitudes and working habits in our contemporary world. As the technology of writing and office work has become increasingly lightweight, mobile, paperless and even sometimes invisible, the need for a desk to emphasise its functional containment of computer equipment has become less important. Following the principles of essentialism and dematerialisation, Silverlining stripped away all superficial surfaces, solid panels and bulky drawers. Functionally the desk offers a writing surface which slides forward to reveal an underslung ‘belly like’ leather pouch in which documents or laptops can be stored. One side of the desk is covered with leather cords tensioned over the frame, this allows a transparent but structurally functional additional surface for documents or books. It’s a clean and simple, yet playful item of furniture.

Parabolic, cabinet by Silverlining