Ethnicraft collections: Jacques sofa
Ethnicraft shares our same passion for timeless design and quality craftsmanship, as reflected in their extensive range of solid wood furniture, sofas and accessories ranges. In today’s bLOG post, we get to know designer Jacques Deneef (who created our aptly named, ever-loved Jacques sofa) as well as the process that went behind creating this beautifully crafted and original sofa collection.
Jacques Deneef, who lives in Antwerp, Belgium, came into the world of art through oil and acrylic painting and experimenting with mixed media. He is fascinated by basic materials like glass, wood, leather, paper and wax, and much like TREE, has an appreciation for transforming used objects and giving them a new lease of life. Jacques has studied and worked across a multitude of sectors, starting his career in advertising (where he studied at Saint Luc college in Brussels), then designing for the prestigious Delvaux label between 1996 to 2003. In 2003, Jacques decided to work as an independent designer, and has created these new furniture designs exclusively for Ethnicraft which we are delighted to bring to Hong Kong!
Read on for our quick Q&A with Jacques Deneef and the Ethnicraft team!
1. Do you see any differences (or similarities) between art and furniture design?
Jacques Deneef (JD): For me, an artwork is born out of an emotion of a certain moment, while furniture design is based on the question mark for a certain need – those are the big differences. A perfect design is something that has to be attractive for the eye, and every eye is very personal. It has to give you comfort and well-being.
2. Could you walk us through the furniture design process of creating this sofa?
JD: It starts with a conversation and it starts with a briefing, and afterwards I see what I can add with my own inspirations and with my own creativity. And based out of that, I make some sketches spontaneously. When I start sketching, the designs are based on architecture forms as I love architecture and going to museums and galleries. It’s always based on something that I like.
The idea was to come up with a sofa with an elegant look. Because I like curves and a nice rounding in everything, I designed the sofa with a bended curve in the back and seating part. All the choices of fabrics that we have will always be neutral colours – soft tone colours that will match all kind of styles, all kind of interiors, and of course, is the total look of Ethnicraft.
3. What do you love most about the Jacques design?
Ethnicraft (EC): We love that Ethnicraft’s Jacques sofa collection exudes comfort and relaxation in its inviting yet sophisticated design. It has a unique look where its quilted seating is contrasted against smooth sides, while its curved seat forms perfectly to the body as you sit back and unwind.
4. Why do you think the Jacques sofa collection is for the modern age – what it makes it perfect for the here and now, and specifically for HK homes?
EC: The beauty of the Jacques sofa is in its modular design, offering a multitude of possibilities to create a setting that is completely customised to your own space and needs, and also allows the sofa to travel with you with ease should you move to a different city or location. It can also be re-arranged into a new setting to meet your evolving style, which promotes circular furniture design and thereby reduces the need to purchase a new sofa every few years.
Jacques looks as good from the front as it does from the back, so it can be styled in the centre of the room. It works perfectly for homes and offices alike, whether you purchase one, two, three or even four pieces!
We’re completely drawn to the comfortable, flexible and sophisticated design of Ethnicraft’s Jacques sofa and hope that you love it as much as we do. You can shop the full collection here.