An undulating daybed is Jasper Morrison`s attempt to create comfy, cuplike seating for two people in order to have a conversation, the designer says. His ”Alias” occasional tables with X or O-shaped bases and
interchangeable center columns in different heights aim are adaptable to any number of needs.
Dedicated to modern design, the 32-year-old Englishman recently visited Chicago to speak at Luminaire, a contemporary furniture store at 361 W. Chestnut St. Examples of his work skewer any thought that young British talent is fixated on Britain`s privileged and sometimes stuffy past.
”I wouldn`t ever own an antique. Never!” says Morrison. ”I think it is terribly sad that people sentimentalize and miss living in their own time. When I`m 80, I want to look back on the 1990s and know I lived in my time, not in the past.”
To prove the point, Morrison says an Apple MacIntosh computer inspired a new collection of 25 pale birchwood cupboards, sideboards and chests of drawers, each in eight sizes, for Cappellini, the Italian company that produces his upholstered furniture.
”The Apple taught me storage is an important thing,” says Morrison.
”That`s what all these drawers are about.”
He slyly puts a spin on even the simplest of designs. The repeated white curved-line-and-dot pattern scattered across a black area rug resembles a series of one-eyed smiley faces, but Morrison sees it differently.
”I call it `the rug of many bosoms.` ” Most items will be on display through July. For information, call 312-664-9582.
