Mix Masters May 2015 – For occasional furniture manufacturer Jonathan Charles, mixing antique beauty with modern relevance is de rigueur. The new Camden Collection is such an example: Equal parts mid-20th century European and postmodern American designs, Jonathan Charles creates a new identity for the Camden Collection, of which neither inspiration is more detectable over the other. Marked by wood, brass, and glass fashioned into crisp angular forms, the collection is a nod to their role models of the century – Paul McCobb (American), Adrian Pearsall (American), Paul Laszlo (Hungarian), Arne Vodder (Danish) – with Jonathan Charles’ signature design twist, be it a small brass banding tucked in between two layers of wood tabletop on a dining table or whimsical marquetry design on the Haberdashery Chest’s inside door panels.
Each piece is handcrafted by artisans who employ traditional Old World craftsmanship techniques to continue the tradition of finely crafted furniture. Even the hardware, down to the bolts for the door hinges, is custom cast in their in-house foundry, allowing for creative and original designs, like these whimsical, oversized diamond handles that cater to their eclectic aesthetic. Their philosophy “It’s all in the detail...” rings true for every piece, where even the most subtle embellishments elevate Jonathan Charles’ designs to an artistic level. The result is a refined and eclectic design befitting today’s collected interiors.
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The highlight of the Camden Table Lamp lies in its unique display of organically formed triangles offset by two small brass spheres encompassing the center diamond. The lamp is completed with a brass diamond finial and traditional silk corset drum shade. 30” H |
Glass Topped Center Table - 495401
A larger version of the Round Brass Side Table, the Glass Topped Center Table makes for a handsome addition as a casual dining table in a breakfast nook or as an entry table in the grand foyer. A glass tabletop encased in a Camden Walnut shell sits atop a brass wire stand with a circular brass base. 40” diameter x 30” H
Round Brass Side Table - 495308
Channeling Harry Bertoia’s signature lattice metal work, the Round Brass Side Table features a bouquet-style burnished brass stand with a Camden Walnut wood panel gathered in the center. The table is topped with glass encased in a Camden Walnut square block cut band. 26” diameter x 28” H
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Shown in a medium “Camden Walnut” finish, the Round Dining Table features a lightly distressed tabletop with a subtle brass banding on the rim atop a pedestal column base with a triple stacked diamond stand. At 60” in diameter and 30” tall, the dining table feels casual and formal. |
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Jonathan Charles creates tension on the 4-Door Sideboard by juxtaposing a beveled display front in Camden Walnut with oversized diamond-shaped brass door handles. Set on an ebonized pedestal base which creates a floating effect, the sideboard’s doors open to reveal two cupboards separated by a single shelf.
60.25” W x 18” D x 38” H
Gilded Round Wine Table - 495389
Versatile as a stool or a side table, the Gilded Round Wine Table features a black glass tabletop that contrasts against a lightly antiqued gold leaf exterior. The combination of different shapes gives the wine table an illusion of an oversized chess piece. 17.75” diameter x 26” H
The Camden Cabinet can serve in a multitude of applications, from a small nightstand to even a corner bar setup, thanks to its spacious interior storage space. Its clever barrel design is wrapped in a triangular beveled Camden Walnut wood edge which is finished with a black glass tabletop. 19.5” diameter x 28” H
The Cocktail Ottoman’s mixed media use lends a graphic element to this industrial design. Sleek black leather upholstery on the button tufted seat provides a dramatic foil for the antique brass finish rods that appear strung through into the Camden Walnut wood base. The Cocktail Ottoman also features a removable wood tray and an undertier for additional basal support. 50” W x 28” D x 20.5” H
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Camden Chest of Drawers - 495307 The Camden Chest of Drawers’ clever design disguises the markings of its trio of drawers, thanks to its triangular beveled edges and black marble top. Its three drawers, which gradate in size from top to bottom, are detected by two round brass drawer pulls. 52” W x 22” D 36.25” H |
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About the Designer:
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Jonathan Charles Fine Furniture is the vision of Jonathan Sowter, an English furniture designer who excels at the art of fine antique reproduction. Though Jonathan draws inspirations from original antiques he discovers in his travels, his unique twists create contemporary translations of vintage treasures. With a keen eye for the smallest details, Jonathan employs traditional, hand-crafted techniques to create the most visually-stunning and intricate designs. As Jonathan always says, “It’s all in the detail…” |
