Dining Chair Model from 1931 with Two Struts by Robert Mallet-Stevens, 1970s

Robert Mallet-Stevens was a prolific furniture designer and created numerous bespoke pieces for his buildings and interiors. His approach in this area was more modernist; he believed that furniture should be “functional, simple and suitable for mass production given contemporary living.” His most enduring design is a tubular, stackable metal chair he designed for the Paris Colonial Exhibition in 1931. Inspired by the famous Thonet café chairs, these chairs were praised for their elegance and durability, as well as their unexpected lack of comfort compared to his architectural work. Mallet-Stevens died in Paris in 1945, before the mass adoption of design techniques was widespread. At his request, many of his archives and personal documents were destroyed after his death. Despite these circumstances, his diverse work received less attention than that of his widely recognized contemporaries.

Robert Mallet-Stevens was an outstanding architect and designer who created his own niche in modern design. As a talented designer, he combined different styles and created impressive spaces for avant-garde clients. His work was characterized by a fusion of functionalism and decorative flair, which set him apart from his contemporaries. Mallet-Stevens designed iconic buildings such as Villa Noailles and Villa Cavrois, which are still admired today. His furniture designs were modernist and emphasized functionality and elegance. Despite his relatively low profile, his legacy remained present in the design world and continues to inspire designers worldwide today.