Bahia chair by 20age

Monday 21 June 2010

Above and below: Bahia chair, 20age

20age is a London based design studio that was set up last year by Emma Phelps and Mauricio Varlotta. The British/Brazilian duo specialise in sourcing and re-upholstering mid 20th century chair designs with luxurious fabrics.





Using bold colours and playful textures, they create striking designs that are influenced by their combined Brazilian and English heritages.




The Bahia chair shown above takes its name from the colourful ribbons that cover its back. Bahia ribbons are a good luck charm which represent 'Senhor do Bonfim'; a Saint from the state of Bahia in Brazil. It is a tradition in Brazil to attach these ribbons around your wrists and tie 3 knots, making a wish for each knot. When the ribbon eventually falls off the owner must release it into running water and the wishes are supposed to come true.

Above and below: Wingback chair by 20age

Emma attibutes her excellent eye for colour and her extensive knowledge of fabrics to her training and work as a set and costume designer. Due to the theatrical and sometimes unusual element of the chairs, they describe their work as a mixture of art and design.


Each chair is carefully stripped down, retreated and restored to it's former glory before being  re-upholstered to create a comlpetely unique design. A selection of their chairs are available to order online through The Look Boutique and also My Deco.


































http://20age.com/

Ali Morris
Trends and Events Analyst, Interiors