The sculptural curvature of Didier’s new collection, Etiquette, conjures up an instant sense of familiar curiosity. With its refined simplicity and beautifully proportioned volumes, the newly launched seating and table range radiates comfort, intimacy and charm – a compelling triage conducive to forming connections with others when sharing a table.
“I started thinking about creating a particular dining chair and bar stool several years ago, impelled by the emotions evoked with every coffee, every glass of wine, every cigarette, and every life-changing conversation shared with a friend in a café,” explains Ross Didier of Didier Design Studio.
Comprising a table, chair, bar stool, and bar table, the collection pays homage to art nouveau dining forms while embracing the contemporary refinement of lines. This subtle balance of modernity and romantic elegance graciously reveals the inspiration behind the collection, while reflecting on the dualism of café culture.
“I’ve always liked the contrasting phenomena of a café: it’s both bustling and communal, yet intimate and personal,” explains Ross. “In the spirit of the original coffee-houses and Penny Universities, contemporary café culture invites people of all walks of life to openly share their beliefs and thoughts with respect. This experience feels universal around the world, and the conversation etiquette at any social level embraces the experience I want to convey because this is where the best concepts are shared.”
It is this idea of respect and being able to make others feel at ease that gave the collection its name. “I think there is a natural charm to good manners.”
The genesis of the range is a culmination of Ross’s extensive travels and encounters with captivating spaces. “Etiquette developed over considerable years as I travelled East and West throughout the world. Some of the sweetest moments have occurred in random back-alley cafés, bistros, and coffee houses throughout my journeys, which I’ve long forgotten the names of,” Ross reminisces. Among these influential experiences, he cites Parisian Café Tournon, Madrid’s Grand Café de Gijón, Vienna’s Kleines Café, Prague’s Café Savoy, and Melbourne’s Pellegrini’s.
A metaphorical design postcard of sorts, Etiquette’s intricate form has been inspired by, but also made for, the café environment. “Etiquette chairs and bar stools have been designed and crafted in solid Ash timber to offer extraordinary comfort with natural strength,” Ross describes. “Their footprint is compact with tapering back legs, while the seating is generous to accommodate a wide range of diners.” The seating is available in natural clear and black, and each piece’s weight has been carefully considered to reflect the high-quality craftsmanship as well as light enough for the functional needs within hospitality.
Maintaining the same design philosophy, the tables and bar tables are uniquely designed with steel legged pedestals that gently splay and taper to the floor with adjustable feet. Designers can also choose from a selection of optional tabletops including timber, laminate and marble, in a range of sizes and shapes on one or twin pedestals respectively.
In combining the legacy of art nouveau dining with refined simplicity and romantic elegance of form, Etiquette emerges as a compelling interpretation of classic bistro seating that is bound to bring a sense of ease – and good manners – to any modern hospitality interior.
Didier
Photography
Alex Reiners – @alex_reinders
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