Principal Chair by Bodil Kjaer for Karakter

Bodil Kjaer Principal Chair for Karakter One of the last living mid-century Scandinavian design pioneers and a female pioneer in the field of architecture in her time, Bodil Kjær, conceived her Principal series in 1961 as part of an architectural exploration of interior solutions for modern living, called Elements of Architecture. Comprising a dining table and an upholstered dining chair, the Principal series epitomises Kjær’s forward-thinking cosmopolitan outlook and modernistic design language that slips fluidly into contemporary interior. The solid wood dining table boasts a clarified form, repeating a simple angle throughout table legs and ends of the table top, while the dining chair with its circular seat and gently rounded backrest, beautifully upholstered, adds a softness to the clear, unfussed geometry, an invitation to linger. The entire Principal series can be upholstered with textiles from Kvadrat and leathers from Sørensen Leather. Designed as a series of furniture elements, the Principal collection has a modern appeal. The Principal dining chair is open, its round backrest comforting and enveloping but at the same time with a sure pure line, striking in its simplicity and beauty. The architect Bodil Kjær did not set out by choosing a form or a shape; for her it was about structure and strength. The furniture should be easily read – people could see instantly how it was constructed and how it could be used. Bodil Kjær’s drawings showing the crisp clear form including a distinctive three-dimensional joint are precise and considered. Although never prototyped, the drawings were enough to inspire Christian Elving, CEO and Co-founder of Karakter to put what Kjær had called the Z series into production. "I am not a furniture designer. I am a designer of environments of the environment. And a problem solver. I go out, I see a problem and I work with other people to solve it." Product Material Frame in solid oak or walnut with clear lacquer, HR/CMHR/Cal.117 foam on seat and backrest, upholstered with leather or textile, plastic or felt glides Measurements Height 71 cm Width 63 cm Depth 56 cm Seat depth 48 cm Seat height 46 cm Certifications Furniture test EN 16139:2013 (L2), EN 1022:2005