 |
| 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
