Knowledge Database
Every day we receive emails with question about material used on vintage interior. Customer asking about sizes, in what year which material was used and when it changed to an other. They are asking because they want to do correct restoration, or to identify the year or the manufacturer or their beloved furniture.
Because we have some experience and also collect some information we can help with some information, but unfortunately we do not know all we want to know.
We gladly share the information with our customer, so on this page we started a database to share knowledge about vintage design interior.
We will add information whenever we will find the time to add something. If you know something you like to share, please send us a mail and will add it. If you like with your name or unnamed. Click on red + to open.
Knowledge Database
1956 – launch of the Lounge Chair on the Arlene Francis Home show broadcast on the NBC television network in US. First year 484 sold. First edition had 3 screws to fix the armrest. (Photo Alexander Wendl)
1957 – Vitra starts the production of the lounge chair for Europe market. The base has different design to Herman Miller Lounge Chairs.
1957 – rubber boot glides changed to adjustable “Domes of silence” glides
1970 – licenses to manufacture where given to NK in Sweden, ICF in Italy, Hille International in the UK and Mobilier International in France
1971 (approx.) – duck down feather fill changed to a mix of foam and fiberfill
1971 – US production of Herman Miller Lounge Chairs started production of plastic backs in October 1971, at the same time when the started with the long black cushion clips. Before this date, and for European production till today, they use(d) cardboard with round clips.
1980 – Gun Stock Oil finish changed to lacquer finish
1986 – Vitra became the sole manufacturing rights for the Europe and Middle East
1990 – discontinued manufacturing Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia Nigra) veneer, due to harvesting restrictions species protection.
2006 – Santos Palisander was launched for the 50th anniversary
2010 – Vitra launched the XL Lounge Chair | Classic 84 x 84 x 85 cm | XL 89 x 84 x 85 cm (Height, width, depth)
Source partially: Blog the olive green window (a great blog with a very detailed research of the Lounge Chair!)
Questions:
1, The curved plywood shells: Vintage Lounge Chairs have five layers of plywood, modern production have seven thin layers of veneer. Who knows when the amount of layers changed, please mail me
1958 – launch of the Swan Chair for SAS Royal Hotel
1975 – Base changed from 4- rip to round tube (source: Fritz Hansen)
1982 – production of Kjaerholm furniture goes from Kold E. Christensen to Fritz Hansen
Many Spider Lamp have lost their wall mount bracket, but it is easy to make a new one. Here the sizes:
Material thickness is 5mm, the pins look 7mm from the material, the screw is M6 x 20mm (click the image to enlarge)
Knoll int. | Warren Platner
Information provided from Robert (many thanks!)
This is only for Warren Platner Knoll Labels:
– 1940s and early 1950s Knoll occupied showrooms on Madison Avenue.
– After 1961 Knoll’s offices were located at 320 Park Ave.
– In 1970 they moved to 745 Fifth Ave.
So when you see the label with Park Ave you know it’s is from 61 thru 70.