The story
In the commissioning client’s office, a large union jack was emblazoned across an end wall. Many metres away on the opposite end, an equally large stars and stripes balanced its companion. The flags are a very obvious signal to all who work and visit this space, that what goes on within it is of equal importance to both Britain and the USA.
The owner of the business had an interest in Bauhaus design. Our brief was to design some desks that worked with this but maybe softened it a bit. The timber used had to be American walnut, from woodland that’s considerably better and more sustainably run than most British plantations. Three of the desks had marmoleum (97% flax) writing surfaces, whilst the remaining one was of a rich burr walnut with a surface in blue leather with exquisite, orange hand-stitched borders by MacGregor & Michael .
These four desks and a low table were the opening salvo in this fruitful transatlantic liaison.
