Geometri Lilac, Quatrefoil Violet, Circles Khaki, and Pavement Rust; better known as Verner Panton, Alexander Girard, Earnes and George Nelson. And while we may not be able to introduce you face to face, we’d like to take a moment to give you a little background history on our famous upholstery and decorative designers.

Verner Panton (Feb 1926 – Sept 1998) is considered one of Denmark’s most influential 20th century furniture and interior designers. During his career, he created innovative and futuristic designs in a variety of materials and vibrant colors. Panton’s most well-known furniture models are still in production today.

In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, Verner Panton experimented with designing entire environments. Creating radical and psychedelic interiors by combining his hand crafted curved furniture, wall upholstery, textiles and lighting, he utilized circular patterns and cylindrical furniture that he became famous for in the years after his death.

George Nelson (1908-1986) was one of the founders of American modernism. He was born in Hartford Connecticut and studied architecture at Yale University where he received his bachelor degree in the fine arts. He went on to become a writer and would often times argue with ferociousness, the modernist principles that often times offended industrial designers of that time.

By 1940, George Nelson had drawn popular attention with several innovative concepts including the “family room” and the “storage wall”. He designed under Herman Miller for many years after, and was said to be one of the most eloquent voices on design and architecture in the USA of the 21st century.

Alexander Girard (1907-1993) was one of the foremost designers of American textiles in the 20th Century. His work is characterized by lively, bold and colorful geometric patterns. He created fabrics for Herman Miller that were used on the designs of Charles and Ray Earnes.

Charles and Ray Earnes were a husband and wife design team full of boundless enthusiasm. Their unique synergy led to revolution of sorts and a whole new look in furniture. Lean and modern, playful and functional, sleek, sophisticated, and beautifully simple summed up their signature pieces. It was the ‘Earnes look’.

That look and their relationship with Herman Miller created what would later become the world renowned Earnes lounge chair. Charles and Ray achieved their monumental success by approaching each project the same way: Does it interest and intrigue us? Can we make it better? Will we have “serious fun” doing it? They loved their work, which was a combination of art and science, design and architecture, process and product, style and function. “The details are not details,” said Charles. “They make the product.”

Each of these architects and designers from the Mid 20th Century has transferred their artistic talents and gift of eye to the fabric textile industry, creating simple yet modern prints and designs for both upholstery and decorative collections. At J&O, we are proud to offer these timeless prints from truly remarkable artists with innovative ideas and vision.

With an Alexander Girard or Verner Panton designer print, you are not only getting top shelf fabric, you are taking home a piece of art and history as well.

Posts by J&O Fabrics Store