Rx: Office Specialty; Your Cure for the Common File Cabinet

Whether you are trying to solve a specific storage need and maximize your real estate or you are looking for the cure to the common file cabinet aesthetic, while offering flexibility for changes in storage for the future; Office Specialty comes to the rescue.

Let's look at some of the highlights of the line below:

Grid Front

First up, Office Specialty's Grid front cases.  This low-profile streamlined case shows off the range of the Grind fronts with options of back painted glass, veneer, glazed, Nuform and MDF fronts. Grid fronts are available on standard Office Specialty cases which include the following features:

-42 case heights; ranging from 18" to 80" and everything in between
-13 different sized interior components, w/ wide range of shelves, drawers or door configurations for a truly customized storage unit
-Customized wardrobe units
-Millwork integration- allowing for finishes in the space to be integrated with file and storage fronts
-60 standard colors, 20 textured colors and over 3000 preformulated colors to match existing furniture or systems product
-12 standard metallic colors, no upcharge

Here's a simple credenza setup that works almost anywhere you need a little extra storage.  Shown with two laterals, and a Planna rail detail.

From top left clockwise: 7900 series, Radius series, Linear series, 9900 series, Arcus series

Office Specialty offers a variety of pulls and fronts, shown above.  Maximize space with the 10.5" drawer height, shown with the 9900 series pull detail.  Fits a standard hanging file and works great for tight spaces.

A New Twist

Amri lounge chairs pictured with a Curio occasional table.

Though not a new piece to the Bernhardt line, the Amri lounge chair is still a favorite.  Introduced in Fall 2010 at the London Design Festival, Amri makes a statement with its pitched arms and inviting presence.  Artist, and more recent designer, Jephson Robb, is known for his works of public art throughout Europe.  He designed the Amri lounge with the goal of making a contemporary chair look and feel comfortable.  

Amri at LDF 2010.

Amri is available in both a stationary and swivel version.  We recently acquired the swivel version in our showroom, and with its low profile and easy sit its a welcome addition to our space.  This piece is really best seen in person, so stop by our showroom (on the 7th floor of the Boston Design Center) to give it a try!

Take a Pause... for the New Year

Bernhardt Pause bench shown with contrasting welt.

Happy New Year everyone!  With the hectic holiday season behind us and 2012 officially underway, now is the time to take a pause, refresh and look forward to the new. What better way to do that than with new furniture?  Bernhardt recently introduced the aforementioned Pause bench to its growing line of bench seating.  Designed by Jenn Kuca, from the Art Center College of Design, the Pause bench is simple in styling and free of fuss. Constructed from solid maple, the bench comes to life when accented with a contrasting welt and cushion.  Upholstery options for the seat include fabric and leather.  Available now for order!

Beyond the Utilitarian

Serif Table

This week I'm bringing to you two more winning pieces from the Art Center College of Design, the multipurpose Serif and Story tables.  The Serif table was designed by Ini Archibong, John Phillips and Stephanie Rose Stalker, students from the Art Center, as part of an ongoing collaboration with the school. 

Serif tables pictured with Sonar chairs

The Serif is a folding table system designed for conference rooms, training areas and anywhere else you could use a bit more flexibility.  With its sculpted leg made from polished aluminum, the designers succeeded in making a piece that is just as beautiful as it is functional. It comes with a wide variety of finish and sizing selections with power and data options available as well.

Bar height Story tables pictured with Aro stools

Not to be outdone, students Albert Lee, Zorine Pooladian and Daniel Yorba created the Story, an elegantly simple yet highly functional table available in both bar and table heights with either fixed or folding tops.  Both tables are ready to order.

Table height Story tables pictured with Audio chairs

Double Dutch

This September, Bernhardt Design will be exhibiting at the London Design Festival for the second time.  They will be showcasing the talents of design duo and couple Kiki van Eijk and Joost van Bleiswijk.  These Dutch designers have created a new collection for Bernhardt titled "Workshop," which will be making its international debut at LDF 2011.  Check out the photos below taken by artist Nienke Klunder who previously collaborated with Jamie Hayon for Bernhardt: 

Kiki + Joost relaxing on their designed chaise

Though the pair shares a studio space, they are well known for their individual efforts.  Kiki finds influence in the nostalgic and places importance on making things by hand.  Joost shares Kiki's vision when it comes to the old and the handmade and is currently working with his "no glue, no screw" technique which forgoes traditional means of joinery and adhesion.  His design philosophy is to make "contemporary versions of forgotten objects." 

Kiki + Joost model their new collection

Together, their new collection is inspired by the basic materials and tools in their workshop.  The new textiles (Connect, Stitch, Block, Score and Brush) are inspired by the different layering of wood, tape, string or paint.  The chaise, which they originally designed for their own home, is available with an antique copper or brushed nickel finish.  Look for them come November 2011. 

The new goods

A Hybrid Approach

The Inscape System, a newcomer at NeoCon this year, brings a fresh and integrated approach to the office.  It brings together the best from the Platform and Scala series into one smooth system.  What makes this system different is a one-frame approach which allows for your thick and thin panels to be built on the same frame.  This is accomplished with a shared kit of parts that works for both sizes.  A 3 1/2 inch panel is suitable for concealing technology while the thinner 2 3/4 inch panel saves on floor space. 

This set of universal components allows for both low and high panel stations, benching, private office and collaborative solutions.  With sleek, long lines and clean trims, it makes a minimalist yet timeless statement. 

As your needs and styles evolve, so does the system with flexible components and backwards compatibility.  The Inscape System is ready to order October 1st!

Objects of Desire

The starting lineup

Looking for the next fun piece to finish off your project?  I am happy to introduce the Apel ottoman.  Designed by Jessica Pell from the Art Center College of Design, the Apel elevates the simple round pouf by adding a distinctive stitch to a contoured profile.  The ottoman is available in either a saddle stitch or the new loop master stitch, shown below.  It comes in two sizes, a small individual ottoman, and a larger version meant for sharing.  The small Apel is also available in a mobile version, perfect for quick meetings.

The Apel shown with a contrasting loop master stitch

 

Forest for the Trees

Forest - Arik Levy

Just in time for fall, the recently released Forest bar stools direct our attention back to the trees.  Designer Arik Levy sculpted this stool to resemble the detailing of a bare tree.  Although the footrests may appear random at first, Levy varied the chrome bars to customize the height to the individual.

Atop the chrome base sits a swivel seat that is available in sold maple, walnut or upholstered finishes. Pricing starts at $450 list ea in COM. Fitting perfectly into both home, hospitality or retail...this is sure to find a home in your project. 

Red with Envy

Vika- Monica Forster

Hyphen- Rich Overcash & Vue table- Jang Won Yoon from Art Center's Studio 2 & 3

Preview items from Studio 5 shown with currently available Art Center Studio pieces

Wanted to get in a quick preview of a few items from Bernhardt Design's showing at Neocon 2011. The US debut of Monica Forster's Vika was showcased in the front window of their 3rd floor showroom. Vika has already created a lot of attention here after it's fall introduction at the LDF in London. The demand for the optional white high gloss frame (not shown this year in Chicago) has made it a challenge to get your hands on one. I loved seeing the pieces done up in Kvadrat signature wools. 

Not only did Bernhardt provide an overview of the wildly successful Art Center program, now in it's fifth year.... the students (some of them recent graduates) were on site to provide insight into their process and present their final products. Studio 4 featured multipurpose or "work" tables that were team efforts. The finished pieces, Story & Serif are both flip top pieces that round out the already extensive Bernhardt Table Gallery. For the most recent studio, the design brief was to provide "alternative seating" options to the Bernhardt line which expanded to include an occasional table as well. These items were previewed at both ICFF 2011 & Neocon 2011 and are scheduled to be formally added to the line in fall. 


Bernhardt Textiles also previewed a collection coming out in late summer as well as their recent release of the Powerhouse Collection, which features 3 performance textile patterns. More to come on this later.

The Frequency Collection

From left to right, Pop, Vibe, Quake, Buzz and Zip

Introducing the Frequency collection from Bernhardt Textiles featuring six dimensional designs in a wide range of neutrals and three new vibrant colorways.  The textural patterns are creatively woven from a variety of yarns including sustainable, rapidly renewable and recycled content.

Vibe- 100% Bamboo

• Buzz - $53/yd- Small scale organic pattern with sustainable Baby Alpaca ground
• Groove - $48/yd - Variegated subtle large scale stripe
• Pop - Modern geometric pattern made with post consumer and industrial content, $53/yd
• Quake - $49/yd - Medium repeat two tone design with "brushstroke" detail stocked with Nanotex finish
• Vibe - Plush geometric pattern made from bamboo, $55/yd
• Zip - A textured, linear pattern made from 100% recycled polyester, $42/yd