At Carl Hansen & Søn, design never goes out of fashion. It spans generations, underpinned by artisanal craftsmanship and a passion for natural materials. The story began in 1908 in Odense, Denmark, when cabinetmaker Carl Hansen opened his furniture workshop. His ambition? To create high-quality pieces, where every detail counts and the beauty of the materials is fully expressed.
But it was in 1949 that the company took on a new dimension, thanks to its collaboration with the Danish designer Hans J. Wegner. This partnership gave rise to several iconic pieces of Scandinavian design, including the famous Wishbone Chair. Since then, Carl Hansen & Søn has carried on this legacy by combining traditional craftsmanship, innovation and timeless lines. A philosophy reflected in two pieces available for hire at Maison Vachon: the Wishbone Chair and the CH07 Shell Chair, both designed by Hans J. Wegner.
Over a century of history. And still as stylish as ever.
Designed in 1949 by Hans J. Wegner and produced from 1950 onwards
by Carl Hansen & Søn, the Wishbone Chair has become a true icon of Danish design. Its name refers to its Y-shaped backrest, reminiscent of the wishbone. An instantly recognisable signature feature, it gives the chair a silhouette that is both graphic and elegant.
Inspired by Chinese armchairs from the Ming dynasty, it combines a wooden frame with organic lines and a seat made of hand-woven paper cord. Its manufacture involves over 100 steps, reflecting the attention to detail and the excellence of Danish craftsmanship.
At Maison Vachon, the Wishbone Chair naturally finds its place around a reception table, in a showroom or a dining area. Its warm aesthetic allows it to be paired just as easily with contemporary furniture as with natural materials, to create elegant and welcoming atmospheres.
A chair that brings good luck. And above all, one that is full of character.
With the Shell Chair CH07, designed in 1963 by Hans J. Wegner, Scandinavian design took a more sculptural direction. Nicknamed ‘The Smiling Chair’, this armchair stands out for its striking silhouette: a curved seat, an enveloping backrest and just three legs.
A bold construction that lends it a sense of lightness, whilst offering carefully engineered comfort. When it was first created, its avant-garde aesthetic took the public by surprise. It wasn’t until its reissue in 1998 by Carl Hansen & Søn that this armchair truly achieved the success it enjoys today.
At Maison Vachon, the CH07 Shell Chair becomes a statement piece in a lounge area, a showroom or a reception area. Its sculptural silhouette means it fits just as well within a furniture arrangement as it does as a decorative feature in its own right.
Three legs, an iconic silhouette and well ahead of its time.
With the Wishbone Chair and the CH07 Shell Chair, Carl Hansen & Søn offers two complementary interpretations of Danish design. The first emphasises the natural elegance of the wood and the finesse of its lines. The second features a more sculptural silhouette, ideal for adding character to a setting.
What do they have in common? A design philosophy that prioritises the quality of materials, comfort and balanced proportions. These creations are therefore perfectly suited to a wide range of event settings: business dinners, showrooms, VIP areas, receptions and contemporary trade fairs.
Hiring Carl Hansen & Søn furniture allows you to incorporate iconic pieces of Scandinavian design into an event – pieces that transcend trends without losing their modernity. Because some designs do not need to follow fashion; they have already stood the test of time.
At Maison Vachon, we love creations that tell a story and lend a genuine identity to spaces. With the Wishbone Chair and the CH07 Shell Chair, designed by Hans J. Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Søn, Danish design makes its mark on event settings.
Available to hire from Maison Vachon, these two pieces allow you to create reception areas, lounges, showrooms or professional events that are elegant, welcoming and contemporary all at once. Two different silhouettes, but the same philosophy: that of furniture designed to last and stand the test of time.
With Carl Hansen & Søn, design may well grow older, but it never shows its age.
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