The Basic Chairs

The very first metaphor that comes to people's mind when asked about chairs is love. Indeed, finding the perfect chair can be as taxing as finding the perfect match.


You need to decide on a number of aspects, still, you may not find a flawless one. Some settle for the second best, others won’t make compromises.
Hunting for chairs is what Yehuda Bar-Shaked does by profession. The founder and co-owner of "The basic collection" - a company compiling a selection of chairs, sofas, tables from an array of designers - created this brand twelve years ago. "The idea was to invent a fresh brand in Eastern Europe giving an option to everyone, with every budget. I don't believe that design is only for rich people."
And he means it.
So he travels around the world to meet little-known designers who, unlike their celebrated colleagues, won’t charge you thousands of euros for a single chair. "We do have chairs from Philip Starck or Ron Arad, but for me it is more stimulating to discover someone making nice chairs at reasonable prices."
Ergonomics is a main consideration. They may not offer an all-purpose piece, it would be difficult anyway, as intended usage largely determines the shape.
Why chairs? You start your day curled up on the kitchen stool grabbing your coffee. Catch the bus and flop down on a seat, straighten up at the meeting and sink into a comfy armchair at the end of the day. You lose count of the times you take a seat.
"When we deal with a project, furnish an interior, mostly it starts with chairs. Then you match the rest: the table, the counter, the fabrics to them. Chairs are sexier than any other furniture! And chairs are the most challenging to design."
Consensus on that. When asked about the criterion used to select the chairs, the love metaphor arises again. "When you catch sight of a woman, you decide instantly. You don’t refer to a list of desired qualities. The same applies to chairs. I have a system on my mind and experience.” Sufficient amount to advise people, who dare choose only the well-tried set of furniture. "I don’t like sets, I rather believe in eclectic interiors. Naturally, I don't intend to educate people, but show them that something else can work, too."
Why Budapest? For the perfect location it offers. "Prague would have been our other choice, but we ruled it out. Budapest is a good place to take in the new, there is room here to develop."



Zsófia Végh

16.11.2008