Hella Jongerius

Hella Jongerius

Another great Dutch designer, Hella Jongerius is the undisputed Queen of Color. The mastermind behind Vitra's Colour & Material library, Jongerius explains the intricacies of color and what affects how we perceive it in her book I Don't Have a Favourite Colour. She has played with how colors combine since early in her career, always mixing and matching materials and gradations as in her walnut and resin block table.
Designer Profile: Hella Jongerius

1. Swatch Table for Jongeriuslab

She has also reinterpreted iconic designs in new colorways. For example, she presented Light and Dark versions of Alvar Aalto's Tea Trolley that played with how the light shifts between the upper and lower trays.

Designer Profile: Hella Jongerius

2. Tea Trolley 901 for Artek

And she came up with a divine edition of the beautiful Shell Chair by Hans Wegner, re-envisioning it in orange with double-layer fabric featuring elaborate embroidery on wool felt.

Designer Profile: Hella Jongerius

3. Layers Park Double for Carl Hansen & Son

Her work mixing materials, colors, and handcraft is perfectly displayed in Bovist, a floor pillow, stool, and ottoman all in one. The pouf includes a handle of knitted yarn for easy moving, tapered radial seams around the sides, contrasting fabrics with "fanciful embroidered motifs," and a small bead filling for optimum comfort.

Designer Profile: Hella Jongerius

4. Bovist for Vitra

East Chair takes Jongerius' love of juxtaposing materials to an unexpectedly practical place. Leather covers the armrests as a way to protect the chair from dirt. Thicker padding in the seat cushion offers lumbar support. And everything else-wood, metal, fabric-works on an aesthetic level. It is a splendid small armchair.

Designer Profile: Hella Jongerius

5. East River Chair for Vitra

The Polder Sofa, available in shades of red, green, golden yellow, and night blue, also combines different materials to great effect. This time Jongerius adds the element of asymmetry, creating a dynamic shape in sumptuous colors and textures. It's like a study in color theory.

Designer Profile: Hella Jongerius

6. Polder Sofa by Vitra 2015

For more information, visit www.jongeriuslab.com.

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