Design: Lepper Schmidt Sommerlade, 2006
The Thonet S 840 collection, comprising the S 845 and S 847 models, features elegant swivel chairs with clean silhouettes. These comfortable and stylish pieces are the perfect choice for guest and conference seating in rooms designed to make an impression on customers and visitors. The addition of a new, softer upholstery option to the collection creates an even more striking contrast between the hard moulded plywood shell and the soft cushioning within.
In a nod to the world of automotive design, the creators of the S 845 (five-star swivel frame on castors) and S 847 (four-star swivel frame with automatic return) feature shaped sections of plywood which are then moulded and fitted together like puzzle pieces to produce the distinctive hard shell. This contoured form with ergonomic cushioning makes for a superbly comfortable chair capable of coordinating with any interior style, thanks to numerous veneers and stain colours, plus various leather and fabric upholstery choices. The option of two different frames and seat back heights allows the collection to blend seamlessly within many different types of room, while always creating a distinctive impression.
The new, less formal upholstery style with natural creases adds a softer option to the existing collection. Its luxurious feel together with the chair’s inviting shape are particularly at home in high-end meeting rooms. More comfortable than ever, the S 845 and S 847 are swivel chairs with a very special appeal, adding a sense of welcoming quality to a wide variety of environments.
Thonet – future-oriented furniture design with a long tradition
The unique success story of Thonet began with the work of master carpenter Michael Thonet. Ever since he established his first workshop in Boppard on the River Rhine in 1819, the name Thonet has stood for high-quality, innovative and elegant furniture. The breakthrough came with the iconic chair No. 14, today known the world over as the Vienna Coffee House Chair: the pioneering technique of bending solid beechwood enabled the mass production of chairs for the first time. The second milestone in design history was the tubular steel furniture by the famous Bauhaus architects Mart Stam, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer in the 1930s. During those pioneering years, Thonet was the world’s largest producer of these tubular steel furniture designs, which are today considered timeless.
For the company today, the continuous process of innovation is the top priority, together with a focus on tradition and fine craftsmanship. Thonet’s furniture designs originate both from its collaborations with renowned national and international creatives and from the in-house Thonet Design Team. Chief Executive Officer Brian Boyd and Creative Director Norbert Ruf manage the company from the corporate head office and production site in Frankenberg/Eder (Germany). Michael Thonet’s fifth- and sixth-generation descendants are actively involved with the company’s business as partners and sales representatives.