Furniture Design: Then and Now

Let’s learn from the best furniture of the past and present

Furniture of substance, narratives, identities, and inspiration.

In the series Furniture Design: Then and Now, design historian Daniella Ohad will host instrumental figures in the world of furniture while illuminating various themes in modern and contemporary furniture. They will bring the audience to the forefront of the world of furniture of the past and present. You will gain an understanding of the story of furniture, develop a critical eye and the ability to identify greatness, and to recognize its expression and spirit of the time. You will meet some of the world’s most brilliant furniture designers, writers, and historians, who will illuminate one of the most beloved topics in this once-in-a-lifetime design experience.

The world of furniture is one of the most fascinating areas of design, as furniture represents the political, social, and artistic values of its time, and it evolves to continue to match the times. In the ancient world and during the centuries leading to the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century, furniture was crafted exclusively for royalty and aristocracy. However, in the early years of the past century, it moved toward the intersection of architecture, art, crafts, design, taste, and power, while being subjected to the shifting boundaries of craft, design, and identities. Good furniture design must have strong vision, significant forms, innovative use of materials and technologies, storytelling.