Cover A mix of S 32 and S 64 cantilever chairs by Marcel Breuer
A mix of S 32 and S 64 cantilever chairs by Marcel Breuer
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Thonet breathes new life into Marcel Breuer’s classic Bauhaus cantilever chair
Few pieces in furniture design have achieved the iconic status of Marcel Breuer’s S 32 and S 64 cantilever chairs.
Nearly a century after their creation, these modernist masterpieces are being reinterpreted for a new era while still being produced by their original manufacturer, Thonet.
The original chairs, designed in the 1920s, were revolutionary in using tubular steel frames combined with traditional wooden seats and cane work. They embodied the Bauhaus principle of merging industrial materials with craftsmanship, a fusion that has kept them relevant for decades.
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Above The Breur chair mixes well with other chairs
Above Sculptural lines define this design classic
The Breur chair mixes well with other chairs
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Thonet, a German furniture company with roots stretching back to the 19th century, has been continuously manufacturing these Breuer designs since their inception, cementing their place in design history.
Enter Sebastian Herkner, the acclaimed German designer known for his innovative approach to materials and colour. His new collection for Thonet, “Rethinking Classics: S 32/S 64 Dark Melange”, brings a fresh perspective to Breuer’s enduring design.
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S 64 in Rosewood
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The centrepiece of Herkner’s reimagining is a groundbreaking dark cane work, a first for Thonet in its nearly century-long production of these chairs.
This Dark Melange finish shimmers with tones ranging from deep black to rich chocolate, achieved through a reactive dyeing process that enhances the material's natural texture.
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Above The new colours revitalise a design classic
Above The cane work now shimmers in sage and black finishes
The new colours revitalise a design classic
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Herkner’s colour palette extends beyond the cane work, offering five stain options for the oak elements, each paired with a complementary powder-coated frame.
From elegant black to a natural sage green, these choices allow for a more organic, warm aesthetic that diverges from the original's chrome-plated coolness.
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A mix of S 32 and S 64 chairs
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This collaboration between Herkner and Thonet represents more than just a cosmetic update. It’s a dialogue between past and present, honouring Breuer's revolutionary spirit while addressing contemporary design sensibilities.
As these reimagined classics make their way into modern interiors, they carry with them nearly a century of design history and Thonet’s legacy of craftsmanship, now viewed through a fresh, colourful lens.
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Images: Thonet
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Jennifer Choo is Regional Managing Editor of Tatler Homes, covering architecture, interior design, and art across Asia. Based in Malaysia, she oversees regional content on luxury residential design and contemporary art collections. Legally trained but choosing to pursue her passion for design, she previously led notable design publications and worked as an interior stylist and art consultant for property developers, design firms, and private clients.
