Artistic, innovative and entrepreneurial, the self-taught creator Tom Dixon has been a contemporary design-world maverick for more than three decades. From his revolutionary art-meets-design projects of the 1980s and throughout his dynamic and influential career as a designer of furniture, housewares and interiors, the only consistent note has been change. Dixon’s chief fascination is exploring new materials and new ways of constructing things.
Dixon was restless even as a young man. He enjoyed ceramics and drawing in high school but later dropped out of the Chelsea School of Art in London. While repairing his motorcycle in 1983, Dixon learned how to weld and took to the craft. He began making what he has called semi-functional objects from scrap metal (sometime as performance art in a nightclub), then formed a furniture studio–cum–think tank called Creative Salvage. Amid the ritzy excess of the ’80s, Dixon — along with designers such as Tejo Remy and Ron Arad — forged a new, attention-getting aesthetic with furniture made from found materials.
In 1987, Dixon began working for the Italian furniture manufacturer Cappellini, which put his best-known design, the slender, sinuous S chair, into production, followed by such pieces as the Pylon chair (1992), a wire lattice that resembles electrical transmission towers. Starting in the 1990s, Dixon expanded his interests rapidly. He started a company to manufacture the stackable plastic Jack light; joined the housewares retailer Habitat as creative director; and breathed new life into Artek, the venerable Finnish maker that Alvar Aalto and his wife Aino helped cofound. Since 2002, Dixon has run his namesake company fabricating furnishings from novel materials like brass foil-clad wood and “vacuum-metalized” glass.
The hallmark of Dixon’s design is his captivation with the process of creating pieces such as chairs, tables and lighting fixtures. “A kind friend once described me as a ‘vertebrate designer,’” Dixon has said. “That means that I design from the bones outwards and am not really interested in surface.”
Classic Dixon pieces are those that exhibit the manner of their making — from his early work in welded scrap metal to the woven rattan seats and backs of his Fat chair for Cappellini. There are two ways to approach Dixon designs: as a collector, or as a decorator. The former will seek Dixon’s one-off and limited edition works and prototypes. These historical artifacts carry high prices that range from around $8,000 to $50,000 and above. Those more interested in a dynamic look will find that manufactured Dixon designs — such as his Jack lights or his Melt pendant — can be found for prices that range from about $300 to $1,000. Either way, as you will see on 1stDibs, the designs of Tom Dixon have a singular allure that makes them a noteworthy element in any room.
George Smith "Bean" 4-Seat Sofa by Tom Dixon in Kvadrat "Haakon" Mohair-Velvet
By Tom Dixon
Located in Barrowford, GB
On offer on this occasion is the rarest-of-the-rare, it being a peerless, immaculate Tom Dixon-designed "Bean" large 4-seat sofa from George Smith, dressed in a peerless, elegant, to...
Velvet
Artifort Diplomat Bono Sofa in Blue Kvadrat Wool
Located in Barrowford, GB
On offer on this occasion is a superb, immaculate Artifort “Bono” Large Sofa, dressed in a Peerless top-grade Natural Woven-Wool Fabric in Mid-Blue Kvadrat Woven-Wool fabric. As you will no doubt be aware by your interest in this Diplomat masterpiece, Artifort pieces are the epitome of contemporary European furniture design, are of Peerless quality, and exhibit detailing and execution of an unrivalled standard. In a world of temporary pleasures, Artifort create beautiful furniture that remains a joy forever. This piece is in superb, beautifully-maintained condition, reflecting the considerate employment it has seen in the past, is almost totally free from fault, flaw or damage. Aside from the odd, isolated mark and some very, very light signs of use, this is as attractive-an-example as you could possibly hope to find. Please view the images provided to confirm its wonderful condition, breathtaking appearance and nothing-short-of exceptional detailing. It possesses the kind of striking, simple contemporary beauty other pieces of seating can only aspire to. The dimensions of the sofa are H-72cm, W-205cm and D-80cm, and the breathtaking seating position this iconic modern-design creates is enhanced by the use of sumptuously comfortable, generously upholstered composite-filled back and seat cushioning, which leaves you powerless to resist its charms. Costing in excess of £4000 when new, it represents spectacular value for money, and we have no doubt it will serve and delight its new owner for many years to come. Delivery of this piece to most UK mainland addresses will cost £120, and can be organised on behalf of the winning bidder upon request using one of our hand-picked panel of specialist, fully-insured independent furniture couriers. Should I be able to help you further, feel free to message me. For important payment, shipping, returns, cleaning and contact information...
Wool
B&B Italia “Marcel” 2.5-Seat Sofa in Blue Velvet
By B&B Italia
Located in Barrowford, GB
This is superb, immaculately-presented example of large-scale seating, it being a “Marcel” Large 2.5-Seat Sofa dressed in the most-luxurious, short-pile, soft-velvet in mid-blue, fro...
Velvet
George Smith Signature "Elverdon-Arm" Large 2.5-Seat Sofa - Blue Italian Velvet
Located in Barrowford, GB
On offer on this occasion is a superb, pristine George Smith Signature "Elverdon-Arm" Cushion-Back, 2.5-Seat Sofa, dressed in beguiling, elegant, top-grade and sensationally-tactile ...
Velvet
Ligne Roset "Rive Gauche" L-Shape Sofa - In Midnight-Blue Velvet
Located in Barrowford, GB
On offer on this occasion is a superb Ligne Roset "Rive Gauche" L-Shape 5-Seat Sofa, dressed in a peerless top-grade Linwood "Omega" velvet-fabric in Midnight-Blue. Part of a larger...
Velvet
Ligne Roset "Rive Gauche" 3-Seat Sofa & Ottoman - In Midnight-Blue Velvet
Located in Barrowford, GB
On offer on this occasion is a superb Ligne Roset “Rive Gauche” 3-Seat Sofa & Ottoman, dressed in a peerless top-grade Linwood “Omega” velvet-f...
Velvet
Folke Jansson 'Tellus' Sofa in Blue Upholstery
By Folke Jansson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Folke Jansson, sofa model 'Tellus', fabric, wood, brass, Sweden, 1956. Exquisite sofa designed by the Swedish designer Folke Jansson, featuring graceful lines that captivate the eye...
Brass
Vintage Italian Modernist Sculptural Sofa in Blue Tweed with Brass Tapered Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Italian Modern sofa in original blue tweed upholstery supported by cast solid brass tapered legs (ca. 1960s). Attractive form characterized by deeply sculpted, winged arm rests and s...
Brass
Collector Hug Sofa Designed by Ferrianisbolgi Fabric Boucle Ocean Blue
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Hug sofa is defined by clean, simple lines and a distinctive armrest detail. The armrest, half overlapping the seat cushion, creates an interlocking detail between the two elements,...
Fabric
Two-Tone Blue Mohair Paulo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Sculptural Sofa
By Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Italian blue mohair sculptural sofa by Paulo Buffa. Very nice Mid-Century Modern form sofa.
Mohair
Mid-Century Modern Style Organic Form Kidney Shaped Cloud Sofa, Blue Boucle
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern style organic form kidney shaped cloud sofa, blue boucle. Modern cloud shaped sofa newly upholstered in a cozy blue boucle fabric...
Bouclé, Wood
Fredericia by GamFratesi Two Tone Blue Fabric Haiku 2 Seater Sofa, 2018
By Fredericia, GamFratesi Design Studio
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by GamFratesi for Danish furniture manufacturer Fredericia in 2012, this Haiku sofa was manufactured in 2018. Perfectly balancing their Italian and Danish design...
Fabric
Dixon's eponymous London-based brand is known for its distinctive furniture and lighting, but his creativity is boundless.
Kersti Sandin and Lars Bülow want their new endeavor to educate both students and professionals about furniture design.
