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ADAGIO + OUVERT Reflect Today’s Work/Home Environments

03.14.23 | By
ADAGIO + OUVERT Reflect Today’s Work/Home Environments

It’s all about the flow, according to Scandinavian design cooperative NOTE Design Studio, which is made up of the talents of Malin Engvall and Kristoffer Fagerström. Routines and boundaries between home and work are constantly shifting, and today’s designs should reflect these new environments. That’s the overall inspiration behind ADAGIO and OUVERT, flexible seating and other objects designed by NOTE for a first-time collaboration with Austrian manufacturer Wittmann.

pink upholstered straight bench on white background

ADAGIO brings the serenity of a slow leisurely musical adagio to a space, which spurred a collection of benches and poufs with relaxed, fluid appearances. Calm, deliberate handcraftsmanship is responsible for creating the seemingly seamless line of the ADAGIO Bench. The wave-like quilted repeat pattern lends a sculptural feel to the piece of seating, one without seams.

Available in two lengths and forms – straight and curved – individual elements can be joined together using connectors. This is especially ideal for contract settings, where everything from round seating islands to room-length benches can be created. The large-format curved version welcomes conversation, while the straight version would work wonderfully at the foot of a bed or in an entryway.

detail of pink upholstered curved bench

pink upholstered curved bench on white background

detail of blue upholstered straight bench on white background

blue upholstered straight bench on white background

detail of blue upholstered straight bench on white background

detail of red upholstered pouf

The ADAGIO Pouf adds to the effortlessness of the collection. Available in three sizes, the flow of its pattern feels serene yet somehow simultaneously in motion. The leather finish, which is only available for the ADAGIO Pouf, really brings out the curvaceous design. The poufs, as well as the ADAGIO benches, are upholstered with precise quilting and feature pocket springs and a composed cold foam structure.

“Looking back on the design process, we really appreciated the intense creative flow and effortless collaboration with the talented team at Wittmann,” offered Fagerström.

red upholstered pouf on white background

detail of red upholstered pouf

blue upholstered pouf on white background

detail of blue upholstered pouf

floor mirror with curved top

When a ballet dancer faces the audience downstage in an open body alignment, it is referred to as “en ouvert.” In this case, OUVERT is a wall mirror with its own self-confident stance. Playful and light, it shares NOTE’s opinion that the world is already serious enough – let’s have fun.

The mirror is encased in a leather frame that adds sculptural depth, while showcasing the design and handcrafted details of the collaboration. Lean OUVERT casually against a wall or opt to add a bit of elegance by mounting it on the wall with the included hardware.

detail of floor mirror with curved top

detail of floor mirror with curved top

black and white image of two light skinned people, one standing, one sitting, both looking away from the camera

Malin Engvall + Kristoffer Fagerström of NOTE

Wittmann, a family-run Austrian company now in its fifth generation, produces exceptionally high-quality handmade upholstered designer furnishings. For more than 125 years, the Wittmann brand has been synonymous with precision, individuality and unparalleled handcraftsmanship. The company works with internationally acclaimed designers to create perfectly made furniture that adorns luxury private residences and features in out-of-the-ordinary projects for the hospitality, retail, and office sectors worldwide.

For more information visit wittmann.at.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.