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Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

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Freifrau Manufaktur – Furniture That Took Europe By Storm
ProductsAndrew McDonald

Freifrau Manufaktur – Furniture That Took Europe By Storm

Since founding in 2011, Freifrau Manufaktur has brought together cutting edge designers and the finest European craftspeople, and thanks to top3, the brand has finally arrived in Australia.


Since their first presentation at imm Cologne in 2012, Freifrau Manufaktur have re-written the rulebook of the designer furniture industry. The German brand was founded with the design ambition to create pieces that transform spaces into your favourite places.

Freifrau Manufaktur is composed of a team of renowned designers and up-and-coming young talent, sharing a design philosophy where comfort meets luxury; seating furniture that is designed with a unique style and functionality with an emphasis on longevity and sustainability.

The manufacturing for these items relies on traditional craftsmanship backed by highest technology and manufacturing standards, earning the reliability that comes with the Made in Germany title.

The Team

The exceptional success story of the Freifrau brand started in the residential building of founder and owner Hansjörg Helweg, with Birgit Hoffmann taking the helm of art direction and the deeply experienced experience Udo Patzke handling distribution. The core team was completed In May 2012 with Martin Sgorzaly, who handled all the administrative tasks, as well as the customer care. Since then the staff has grown to 100 people and despite this year’s pandemic, the team’s success continues to grow.

The Collection

Freifrau Manufaktur’s collection is a stylish, voluptuous, elegant and always functional series of seating solutions for any contemporary space. Able to be finished with a wide range of exclusive fabrics and premium leather coverings, Freifrau Manufaktur offers unlimited combination options both on the interior and exterior with every piece made to order.

While there are countless nice looking chairs on the market, unfortunately the comfort often sacrificed in the name of aesthetics. All Freifrau products are designed to combine both – with both style and comfort imbued into the designs, for a long lasting seating experience.

No other contemporary collection knows how to play with materials and colour so well, and paired with the unique designs – such as the iconic and charming Leyasol Wingback Swing Chair – the fame and acclaim the brand has earned in Europe becomes obvious.

The Designers

Freifrau Manufaktur works with some of the world’s most exciting established and emerging designers. Here’s a selection of HabitusLiving favourites…

Anne Lorenz studied product design at the Karlsruhe University of Art and Design. During her studies, she worked for renowned design studios from Paris and Rio de Janeiro, including Marc Newson Ldt in London, and her Anna Pouf showcases her aesthetic within Freifrau’s signature style.

Anna Pouf

Lucie Koldova studied product design at the Prague Academy of Art, Architecture, and Design before moving to Paris in 2009. One year later, she had developed her first lamp collection for manufacturer Brokis. Koldova’s Celine chair sees the synthesis of her Paris design experience and the influences from her current home Prague – a sensual, charismatic design language.

Celine Chair

Hoffmann Kahleyss Design

Founded by Birgit Hoffmann and Christoph Kahleyss, the duo bring their own experiences as an art director and cabinet maker to Freifrau Manufaktur resulting in a unique, functional and beautiful design aesthetic. The pair are responsible for a number of eye-catching Freifrau pieces, including the Leyasol, Amelie and Leya chairs, as since January 2020, a series of charming and luxurious rugs.

Leyason Rocking and Swing Chairs

In Australia, Freifrau Manufaktur is exclusively represented by the design experts at top3 by design. You can see why this brand took Europe by storm at top3’s Sydney and Melbourne showrooms, or online.

top3 by design
top3.com.au


About the Author

Andrew McDonald

Tags

European designEuropean furnitureFreifrau ManufakturGermanytop3top3 by design


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Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

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