I set out to design contemporary furniture
that
was comfortable and practical to use.
I developed an American version of
Scandinavian modern furniture.
Jens Risom (b1916), Classic Modern
Risom's furniture from the 1950s and 1960s is
very down to earth and functional, but still has
enormous elegance. It is a fusion of the craft
tradition he learned in Denmark with American
modernism and the hi-tech of American
production methods. It is significant that he
always wants to be known as a Danish-born
American designer, not a Danish designer.
His designs are more pared down than those
of the likes of Hans Wegner or Finn Juhl.
Jonathan Stephenson/Rocket, quoted in
July 2010 Wallpaper*