Tables — Creating Space: Design Online
Charlotte Perriand was a French architect and designer. Her work aimed to create functional living spaces in the belief that better design helps in creating a better society. In her article "L'Art de Vivre" from 1981 she states "The extension of the art of dwelling is the art of living — living in harmony with man's deepest drives and with his adopted or fabricated environment." Charlotte liked to take her time in a space before starting the design process.
François-Xavier Lalanne was a French painter and sculptor. He studied sculpture, drawing and painting at the Académie Julian. Since the 1960s he has worked as a couple with his wife Claude Lalanne.
Pierre Paulin was a French furniture designer and interior designer. His uncle Georges Paulin was a part-time automobile designer and invented the mechanical retractible hardtop, who was later executed by the Nazis in 1941 as a hero of the French Resistance. After failing his Baccalauréat, Pierre trained to become a ceramist in Vallaurius on the French Rivera and then as a stone-carver in Burgundy. Soon after, he injured his right arm in a fight, ending his dreams as a sculptor. He then went on to attend the Ecole Camondo in Paris. He had a stint with the Gascoin company in Le Havre where he gained an interest in Scandinavian and Japanese design. He was famed for his innovative work with Artifort in the 1960s and interior design in the 1970s.
At the time, his chair designs were considered very modern and unique and kick-started the successes of his designs among the younger population. Even today, his pieces are still being made and are sought after at auctions.
Ettore Sottsass was a 20th century Italian architect, noted for also designing furniture, jewellery, glass, lighting, home and office wares, as well as numerous buildings and interiors — often defined by bold colours.
André Sornay was a French designer and decorator, lauded for his innovative contributions to the Art Deco movement. Born on January 28, 1902, in Lyon, he was a visionary who transformed his family's traditional furniture business into a bastion of modern design. Sornay's commitment to geometric stylization and the rationalization of furniture production made his pieces timeless yet revolutionary.
Educated at Lyon's esteemed School of Fine Arts, Sornay's furniture designs are characterized by clean, modern lines and detailed with his signature brass cloutage. His works, including the distinguished bookcases from the 1930s, exemplify the seamless blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal. Rather than following the trend to move to Paris, Sornay chose to remain in Lyon, fostering a unique identity in the design world.
Collectors and experts in art and antiques revere Sornay's furniture for its elegance and historical value. His pieces are not only functional but also serve as a testament to the Art Deco era's stylistic innovation. To discover more about André Sornay's legacy and to receive updates on available pieces, sign up for our exclusive newsletter.