Now at the ripe, bold age of 150, Walter Knoll is one of few design houses left who really understand what true design really is. And here’s why…
May 16th, 2016
Terms like “luxury” and “craftsmanship” are used far too loosely in design. So much so, that what we now define as “luxury” or “expertly crafted” has become very muddied, and in many cases, unwarranted.
Luxury for example, is often confused with expense, when really it is about far more than a price tag. For Walter Knoll, luxury is about delicacy, elegance, and refinement of living – the joy and value of living to be exact.
Likewise, mastery of craftsmanship should only be applied to those brands that have the capability to control the outcome of piece down to the smallest detail with great finesse, detail that you continue to discover after years and even decades of owning a single ‘lived-in’ piece. People have a relationship with furniture. In the best-case scenario, they become reliable partners for years. But for that to happen, they need to be exceptional. Quality means fulfilling the wishes of each individual customer – an arrangement that creates trust. Successful products are the result of teamwork. Designers, furniture makers, customer advisers and craftsmen of various professions do their utmost to achieve the best results in terms of design, comfort, function and ergonomics. Masterly craftsmenship, select materials and technology precision all play their part in achieving the perfect form.
To this end, Walter Knoll takes great care and detail not only with the aesthetic design choices they make, but with the specifics of materials and how they are handled; specifying only the most expertly tanned leather for example and investing in the skills of their in-house artisans to work with and develop it. .
Can we really compare this same level of detail to the majority of the design world? Chances are, we can’t.
And THAT is the real difference. This is especially true post-GFC, where more and more we are finding that out clients needs are going far beyond aesthetics. They want something more meaningful, something they can wear in, something they can continue to discover, something they can pass on to their kids; they want something that keeps giving beyond how pretty it is.
For over 150 years, Walter Knoll continues to fulfill that desire for quality of life by truly investing in the genuine values that are injected into every piece in the lead up to them taking up residence in our homes and workplaces for what is often decades. It is one of those magic brands that no matter which piece you choose for which project, it never fails to be spot on. And isn’t that what true design really is?
Want to find out what real design is all about? Head to Walter Knoll Australia
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