The spirit of the great Scandinavian designers of the mid-century persists today… Just pose the question to the Republic of Fritz Hansen and that manufacturer of superlatively stylish and enduringly modern furnishings will respond with pieces like Kaspar Salto’s Nap, Hiromichi Konno’s Rin, and, now, Cecilie Manz’s marvelous Minuscule.

Minuscule chair. Designed by Cecilie Manz. Manufactured by The Republic of Fritz Hansen.

The Rounded Geometry of Minsucule Evokes the Lovely Simplicity of Scandinavian Design

The name says it all. Minuscule is “just enough”—just enough curve in the contours, just enough hand-crafted detailing, just enough padding for comfort without having to sacrifice the sensuous silhouette. And, to quote Minuscule designer Cecilie Manz, “just enough round like a stone on the beach.”

Indeed, the aforementioned phenomenon of nature is a fitting emblem for Minuscule, as it captures the sense of straight lines softened into curves, of a whittling away of superfluous materials into something elemental, and of varied shades of gray.

The last point is apropos of Minuscule’s two-tone color pattern, as Manz specified two shades of gray for the outer shell—“the only colour that is able to absorb all other colours.” Minuscule’s somber exterior is contrasted and complimented by a rather joyous interior, which features a choice of  upholstery in vibrant colors ranging from rust orange and ocher to a dark ultramarine blue.

Other salient features of this “formal chair for casual settings” include hand-sewn tailor-made stitching along the junction between the inner and outer shell; a contrasting leather edge on the perimeter; and a tubular plastic frame that simultaneously conveys a sense of structural durability and lightness.

In the same spirit of spirited minimalism, Fritz Hansen offers a companion piece: the Minuscule table features the very same base of gray plastic capped with a vibrant top of Oregon pine or white compact laminate.

Together or apart, the Minuscule chair and table  confirm that the great tradition of Scandinavian Modernism lives and breathes in 2012: “Minuscule represents the informal and understated style that the Scandinavians are truly famous for; why spell it out in capitals when discrete simplicity makes a clear statement?”

About the Manufacturer: Approximately one hundred and twenty-five years ago, cabinet maker Fritz Hansen secured workshop space in the Copenhagen burb of Christianshavn. Some forty-five years later, son Christian began to experiment with steam bending beech. Fast forward to the new millennium and manufacturer Fritz Hansen has parlayed the under-pinnings of modern design into one of the most visible and renowned furniture brands worldwide. The roster of past Fritz Hansen designers includes such luminaries as Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, and Verner Panton. Today, count on products designed by Kasper Salto, Morten Voss, and Cecilie Manz to bear the Fritz Hansen name.