Blue velvet crush
Beautifully combining texture and comfort velvet upholstery is still a strong popular fabric choice for 2021 and brings out the richness of colour in our chosen classic blue.
In December 2019 Pantone announced its colour of the year for 2020 - Classic Blue in a familiar and calming shade of azure represented as Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue.
Ponder from the Pantone Classic Blue colour of the year 2020 palette
The actual word ‘BLUE’ has a strong visual memory for us here at PFEIFER with links to film, art and the beloved oceans. When designing and drawing ideas for our furniture these memories are pulled out and massaged into tangible objects that we would want to live with.
Leonhard and I were both teenagers in the late 80’s (gosh!) and fans of arthouse films. We would watch these films at little independent movie cinemas dotted around the suburbs of our then home-town of Brisbane. Three Colours Blue - the 1993 French drama film directed and co-written by Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieślowski - was one such film.
Back then these arthouse cinemas had fantastic interiors with thick velvet curtains, flocked wallpaper and worn velvet deep bucket seats that you could really slump into. Faded old world glamour and elegance trapped in these dimly lit cinema interiors. When designing our upholstery we like to envisage seating that you can really curl up on, kick your shoes off and enjoy a ‘Three Colours’ movie marathon.
Photos top (L-R) Poster artwork from Three colours blue - 1993 French drama film directed and co-written by Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieślowsk, PFEIFER ‘de Pecchi’ 3-seater sofa in classic blue velvet, Yves Klein, Anthropometry: Princess Helena, 1960, Museum of Modern Art, New York, USA.
The Gorge, Minjerribah - North Stradbroke Island, Photo by Leonhard Pfeifer
At university Leonhard was the art lover and had a very intellectual approach to his art appreciation that he liked to share. I also enjoyed art, but liked art that I could connect with emotionally whilst he preferred art that had a theory and process of development at its core.
Leonhard first saw the artwork of Yves Klein - ‘Lover of Blue’ in a French gallery in 1992. He enjoyed learning about the process and evolution of Klein’s formula for ‘International Klein Blue’ (IKB). The artist is famous for his experimentation with a polymer binder to preserve the luminescence and powdery texture of raw yet unstable ultramarine pigment.
With a preference for strong energetic colours like vibrant blue and bright orange Leonhard likes the energy and movement that colours can bring to the upholstered pieces.
Blue and velvet are a winning combination for us, though you won’t catch us watching the 1986 film by David Lynch as PFEIFER are not good with neo-noir mystery thrillers!
The Lawndale blue velvet daybed was designed exclusively for CB2.com
We have a number of classic blue velvet pieces available for retail and manufacture. The ‘Viceroy chair’ and ‘Lawndale daybed’ are both available for retail exclusively from CB2.com in the US.
The ‘de Pecchi sofa’ is available for wholesale enquiries in Australia and Europe. Please email us directly for details.
Here at PFEIFER we work with trusted producers globally to bring our distinctive and considered quality furniture to their local markets so please email us if we can help design pieces for your retail brands upholstery needs.
PFEIFER design ‘fit-for-purpose’ furniture for retail buyers globally.
Our design process ensures that each product is perfect for its specific retail market, price point and production values and process. Please get in touch to see how we can create something especial for your specific commercial furniture needs.