Choosing Furniture designs from GUBI’s collections
This is my first store in Hong Kong- when we first opened. You can see the Adnet Mirror there on on the left and the some GUBI lighting.
If this is the first time that you have visited this site, you may not know that I worked as a designer in Hong Kong for 14 years.
My design business was called Eclectic Cool and we not only worked as interior designers but also had a design store. We stocked mainly European and Australian products with a bit of vintage thrown in.
One of my first brands, and I have to admit, my absolute favourite, was Gubi. This Danish brand has been around for quite some time but started really taking off in around 2010 when they started reissuing classic designs from reknowned designers all over the world. It was at this time that Jacob Gubi, the son of the founders took over the creative direction.
The company has grown from strength to strength. I used to love going to Maison et Objet in Paris and catching up on the collections. My favourite products were the reissues by Joseph Adnet, who designed the Gubi Adnet Mirror. This piece was first designed in 1950. The combination of leather and glass was unique for its time-decorative pieces were rarely made of leather.
Having dealt in Gubi, the quality of the leather and finish is top notch, with heavy bronze buckles and a bespoke hook to attach it to the wall. I have quite a few in my home- one over the console in my entry hall and one over every sink in my house! I must really like them!! I think they suit the country atmosphere and add warmth and a bit of luxury to the rooms and they remind me of my beautiful store.
Another favourite piece by Gubi is the Beetle chair. These chairs were fairly ubiquitous for a while- they are used in the Cartier stores for example, but look amazing when upholstered in velvet. They were originally designed with a metal base, but since have been released in timber.
See what I mean - those velvet chairs are sumptuous
Designed by the partnership of GamFratesi, the seat of the Beetle really hugs you in and the curved back is very supportive. I love the almost retro look of the original design. I’m not so fond of the timber base, I think it loses a bit of its glamour but of course it is still comfortable!
What do you think of the wooden base? Not a fan - though I like the contrast piping
Gubi is also famous for its lighting. We stocked a lot of lighting and our best seller was the Bestlite. This light was designed by Robert Dudley Best and has a very industrial sensibility. It has an art deco flair to it which makes it suitable for use in both period and contemporary interiors. It’s a classic and original piece from the 30s are held in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. If there was one model I would choose it would be the BL1. Its simple design and the smooth movement of the shade on the vertical support make it perfect. Apparently, Winston Churchill had it on his desk in Whitehall and even took it with him around the world on trips.
The Bestlite BL1 in classic black and chrome. Very Bauhaus!
The Pacha Chair by Pierre Paulin
Another classic design from GUBI is the Pacha chair. It was designed by Pierre Paulin in the 70s. This re-edition had a bit of a moment a couple of years ago, I kept on seeing it popping up in magazines in the boucle. I do like it, but I think I prefer a chair with arms. I love the look of it but it is also very low, so a bit of an effort to get up. I think this is more of a decorative chair rather than practical. The sofa is also very nice and something that would be cool in a contemporary living room.
I’ve written a bit about the older designs, what’s happening now in the world of GUBI?
The latest collection is quite a surprising one- a collection by Joe Colombo called the Basket.
Basket chair by Joe Colombo
Relaunched in after being first produced in the 1960s, its organic lines are distinctly modern. I am loving the undulating curves- it looks so comfy to sit on. Fabulous!
You might know Joe Colombo from his famous Elda chair which is just like a warm hug. You can see elements of his style in the Basket chair. I love the Elda chair in the original leather, but I saw this version on Etsy and it’s pretty amazing. $23k + $4k to deliver- bargain!
Colombo unfortunately passed away in his 40s in 1971 - design lost a great original talent.
I could see the Basket chair in an elegant pool house or family room. Something a bit casual and summery with blue and grey tones to balance the golden colour of the weave. What do you think?
