Grant Featherston was an influential furniture designer in the mid-century modernist movement, with a reputation for creating innovative and functional designs. Born in Geelong, Victoria in 1922, he established his own design studio in Melbourne in 1947.
Featherston’s furniture designs were characterized by a sleek, modernist aesthetic that focused on ergonomics and comfort. His most famous design, the Contour Chair, is now an iconic piece of Australian furniture design. It features a curved, organic shape designed to conform to the natural contours of the human body and was a departure from traditional furniture design.
Featherston was also known for his use of new materials, such as fiberglass and plastic, and his willingness to experiment with different manufacturing techniques. He often collaborated with his wife, Mary Featherston, an interior designer.
In addition to his work as a furniture designer, Featherston was a prolific illustrator and graphic designer, producing a number of posters and visual materials throughout his career. He continued to work as a designer until his death in 1995, and his work remains highly regarded today. Featherston’s designs continue to inspire contemporary designers and his legacy lives on as an important part of Australian design history.
Grant Featherston’s most famous piece of furniture is the Contour Chair. The chair was first designed in 1951 and is considered an icon of Australian furniture design. It features a curved, organic shape that conforms to the natural contours of the human body, and was a departure from traditional furniture design at the time. The Contour Chair was innovative and functional, and its design has stood the test of time. It is still highly regarded today and has been reissued by various manufacturers.
Grant Featherston designed many chairs throughout his career. Here is a list of some of his most famous chairs:
- Contour Chair (1951)
- Relaxation Chair (1953)
- Scape Chair (1960)
- Spade Chair (1962)
- Stem Chair (1969)
- Numero Chair (1974)
- Avian Series (1976)
- Arrow Series (1977)
These chairs were all designed with Featherston’s signature modernist aesthetic and emphasis on ergonomics and comfort. Many of these designs have become icons of mid-century Australian furniture design and are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts today.