Eileen Gray is a known name in the furniture design business. She has given a new meaning towards conceptualization and design and a lot of it were introduced in the market in the 1900’s. During these times, modern furniture designs were conceived as mechanical and were it not for the vested interest of one Andre Putman, perhaps none of us would see the contemporary designs that are sure hits today.

The appreciation of Gray’s performance back then were perhaps not seen as the tomorrow of modern design. Today however, we can see similarities of her concepts and then some, which are surely ideal stuff that anyone would want in their homes today.

She designed a new range of furniture for the home and in line with the Bauhaus and Modernists’ philosophies, moved away from creating exclusive, one-off pieces, instead preferring to create furniture that was simple, refined and functional and that allowed for mass production.

One small table in particular, called the E-1027, is one of Gray’s most recognised pieces. Also the name Gray gave to her San Tropez house, the E-1027 was small, round and amazingly versatile and, today is considered one of the icons of modern design. She also designed chairs, settees, desks and storage units for her home.

Sadly, her clients initially shunned Gray’s new direction and interest in her work waned. Just before her death, however, Andre Putman, a prominent French designer, revived interest in Gray’s designs and obtained a licence to manufacture several of them. Exhibitions at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York followed.

(Source) Times Online

Icon Designs from Eileen Gray