Dezeen Magazine

Scholten & Baijings upholsters Herman Miller seating in gridded fabric

Milan 2015: Scholten & Baijings has covered a selection of Herman Miller furniture in fabric that features a nine-metre repeat of geometric patterns (+ slideshow).

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller

Stefan Scholten and Carole Baijings are presenting the furniture as part of an installation at American furniture manufacturer Herman Miller's showroom in Milan.

The show – named Lines, Blocks and Grids – pairs fabric the Dutch duo designed last year with chairs that have just been launched for the European and Middle Eastern markets.

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller

Lengths of the nine-metre repeat fabrics have been draped over bars hanging from the ceiling to create a backdrop for the furniture, as well as tableware and vases also by the studio.

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller

"We placed Herman Miller furniture in front of the textiles, not necessarily with matching patterns, showing what you can do with the fabric," Stefan Scholten told Dezeen.

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller

Scholten & Baijings designed the wool fabrics with patterns large enough to upholster an entire sofa without repetition.

"Since we are product designers we think first of the couch, of the product, then the textile," said Scholten. "It allows you to create an upholstery that is every time unique."

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller

This is the 19th year the duo have shown products during Milan design week.

"We don't join a lot of design weeks. We do Milan, then Tokyo design week for the Japanese market, and then NeoCon for the American market", said Baijings. "There are so many, we wouldn't have time to design anymore."

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller

"There is too much on offer in Milan," Scholten told Dezeen. "People just want to sell their designs. But then it is still the place for designers to show new products because of that, everyone is here."

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller
Landmark Chair, 1964 by Ward Bennett in Grid

The fabrics the pair are showing are Grid, which has blocks of grids in different densities and Blocks, a pattern of squares and rectangles in different tones. Both are available in a variety of colours, from pastel yellow to deep orange.

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller
Bumper Lounge Chair, 1964 by Ward Bennett in Grid

The fabric was created for New York textiles brand Maharam, which was bought by Herman Miller last year.

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller
Sled Chair, 1966 by Ward Bennet in Block

The duo have upholstered four pieces of furniture by American designer Ward Bennett. His well-known designs include a chair for former President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller
Wireframe Two-Seat Sofa, 2012 by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin

Bennett's classic 1964 carved ash Landmark chair and his swivel Bumper Lounge Chair have both been upholstered in Scholten & Baijing's grey Grid fabric.

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller
Wireframe Ottoman, 2012 by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin

The seat of Bennett's Sled chair, which has a steel X-shaped base and is usually upholstered in black leather, has been covered in grey Block fabric, along with two sofas: Bennett's Rolled Arm Sofa and the Tuxedo Bench by BassamFellows.

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller
Brado Lounge Chair, 2013 by Vincent Van Duysen in Grid

The designers have also upholstered contemporary furniture, including the Wireframe Sofa and Ottoman designed by Industrial Facility's Sam Hecht and Kim Colin in 2012. Rounded cushions covered in grey Grid fabric are wedged into skinny wire bases.

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller
Rolled Arm Sofa, 1970 by Ward Bennett in Block

Lime green Grid fabric covers the square cushions of Belgian architect and designer Vincent Van Duysen's low wooden-framed Brado Lounge Chair.

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller
Rolled Arm Sofa, 1970 by Ward Bennett in Block

Scholten & Baijings are presenting a number of products in Milan this year, including a sofa for Moroso and a titanium travel flask for Italian grappa brand Nonino.

Scholten & Baijings for Herman Miller
Tuxedo Bench, 2011 by BassamFellows in Block

Lines, Grids and Blocks is on show at the Herman Miller showroom, Corso Garibaldi 70, until 19 April.