Ilse Crawford Dresses Hans Wegner’s Masterpieces in New Colours.

To celebrate Hans Wegner’s enduring legacy, Carl Hansen & Son have partnered with celebrated London-based designer, Ilse Crawford, to develop a new colour palette for a limited-edition release of the first chairs that Wegner created for Carl Hansen & Son in 1950.

The visionary First Masterpieces collection includes five of Wegner’s most iconic chair designs. Among these are the world-renowned CH24, also known as the Wishbone Chair, and the woven CH25 lounge chair, which have been in production at Carl Hansen & Son for more than 70 years.

Ilse Crawford dressed the masterpieces in five earthy shades – Pewter, Falu, Slate, North Sea and Seaweed – giving a fresh perspective to the collection. The environmentally friendly, water-based colours all have a slightly transparent finish, allowing the chair’s original oak wood grain to shine through.

“We wanted to develop a set of colours that reflect the times we live in, and we believe these subdued and muted tones will resonate with a contemporary audience,” explains Crawford. “We were inspired by the paintings of the late Danish artist, Per Kirkeby, whose interest in nature and geology was brilliantly manifested in his work. These are not easy, trend-driven or standard decorative colours, but ones that add depth and complexity to any interior.”

The muddy, painterly tones nod to the raw beauty of the Nordic landscape and they are intended to work both as a group and independently. “Colour is so closely tied to our emotions, to our mood,” notes Crawford, “and we think these subtle tones will contribute to the creation of a warm, relaxed and natural environment.”

The limited-edition First Masterpieces will be in stores from May 2021. For more information, visit carlhansen.com and cultdesign.com.au.

[Images courtesy of Carl Hansen.]