Helmut Newton‑Inspired Interior: Sculptural Seating Meets Pedestal Purity

A Helmut Newton Mood – Drama, Glamour and Architectural Form

Curated by Hauvette & Madani, the scene channels the bold glamour of photographer Helmut Newton. Imagine chiaroscuro lighting, polished concrete floors and a high‑contrast palette: the velvet Bird Chair stands out like a couture silhouette, while the Tulip Table’s glossy pedestal catches reflections like a studio flash. Above, a moody pendant or spot could isolate the setting, much as Newton isolated his subjects against stark backdrops, heightening every contour.

Set the Scene, Capture the Moment

Buying either piece immediately elevates a space; owning both creates a staged interior worthy of a fashion shoot. Think of it as live‑in editorial styling—perfect for design connoisseurs, boutique hospitality projects, or anyone drawn to the daring elegance of mid‑century modernism. Bring Helmut Newton’s dramatic lens into everyday life and let these Knoll masterpieces frame your own stories.

Bertoia High‑Back “Bird” Chair – Functional Sculpture Draped in Velvet

Designed in 1952 by Italian‑American sculptor Harry Bertoia, the Bird Chair (also known as the Bertoia High‑Back Chair) is celebrated for its airy lattice of curved steel rods that seem to sketch a three‑dimensional drawing in space. In this vignette the chair is fully upholstered in luxurious deep‑pile velvet, turning its ethereal structure into an inviting cocoon. An accompanying ottoman echoes the wire frame, creating a lounging duo that marries comfort with avant‑garde artistry. Whether placed in a reading corner, a boutique hotel lobby, or—like here—at the head of an intimate dining setting, the Bird Chair becomes an instant conversation piece.

Saarinen Mid‑Height Round Tulip Table – Five Years of Research, One Fluid Line

To banish what he called the “ugly, confused world” of table legs, Eero Saarinen spent half a decade perfecting his revolutionary Tulip Pedestal Collection, launched in 1957. The mid‑height round model shown here balances gracefully between standard dining and classic coffee‑table levels—ideal for cocktails, champagne breakfasts, or a late‑night tête‑à‑tête. A single cast‑aluminium stem, finished in satin epoxy black, blooms into a seamless base that supports a bevel‑edged top available in laminated white, nero marquina marble, or rich American walnut. The result is uninterrupted legroom and a visual calm that sets off the exuberant curves of the Bertoia chair.

Photo credit : Hauvette et Madani