Suite of furniture 1917 - 1918

This suite of furniture was made by Michel de Klerk sometime before 1923. The olive-green upholstery has a subtle pattern, like tiny woven brushstrokes, while the wood has a rich, dark varnish. You know, it's funny how furniture straddles the line between art and utility. I am really drawn to how the plush fabric contrasts with the rigid geometry of the frame. It reminds me of balancing control and freedom in my own work. There's a detail on the armrests—carved animal heads, maybe? They add such an unexpected touch of whimsy. Like a tiny painting embedded into the design. De Klerk’s expressionist style reminds me of Hundertwasser, both approach architecture with such playful, organic forms. It feels like this piece is part of a bigger conversation about how we shape our living spaces, and how those spaces, in turn, shape us.