Cleaning your Swan Chair
Designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen in 1958, the Danish architect of the hotel, Arne Jacobsen, used new technologies to shape fluid curves and single-piece molded shells for his furniture designs. The Swan Chair was specifically designed for the hotel as its swivel base allowed guests to spin in their seat and gain a panoramic view of the busy hotel’s interior.
Swan Chairs are generally upholstered in leather or wool compounds. Wool is an ideal choice for furniture fabric as it is durable, beautiful and luxurious. With the wool structure of the chair it allows it to feel warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Spills will not penetrate rapidly with wool because it is naturally water repellent and so if caught quickly accidents can be cleaned up before they enter the fabric at all. Wool is naturally antistatic and does not attract dirt, hair and other contaminates, unlike synthetic fibers.Vacuum your wool furniture once a week to remove dirt and maintain its natural beauty.
Use the following method to remove stains and dirt:
• Blot wet stains with a clean cloth until as much of the liquid as possible has been removed. (For dried on stains, vacuum the area to be cleaned beforehand).
• Make use of a high quality wool detergent. Follow the directions on the detergent to make up a normal strength cleaning solution.
• Soak a clean cloth in the cleaning solution, then blot and gently rub the stained area in the direction of the fabric. Blot with a clean dry cloth to remove the cleaning solution. Repeat this process until the stain is removed.
• Rinsing by blotting repeatedly with a clean cloth dampened with clean water and then blot the area dry with a dry cloth. Let the damp area dry off completely in a well ventilated spot before returning it to use.
• For stubborn stains that are more difficult to remove, blot the stain with a small amount acetone, benzene or turpentine on a clean white cloth. Test the product in an inconspicuous area, such as the underside of the seats or cushion first. Use as little of these products as possible as they can severely damage the foam padding and fabric if used excessively. Follow up by removing the cleaning agent from the cleaned area as recommended above.
• Never rub the fabric as it will cause unsightly pilling and will leave a mark as visible as a bad stain.
• If the stains persist, call a professional.
As prevention is always better than cure, try to avoid situations where food or drinks are served while people are seated in the chairs. To keep your Swan Chairs looking brand new for as long as possible, make use of fabric guards and protective coatings from the start. Most of these applications have their best effect when they are applied as soon as you get the furniture, rather than after they have become soiled. Have your furniture professionally cleaned once a year and re-apply the fabric guard.
The ABCDs of decorating with your new Swan Chair.
The Swan Chair was specially designed for the opening of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen in 1958, by the hotel’s architect, Arne Jacobsen. One of the first examples of furniture designs to make use of moldable materials, the Swan Chair is a neo-modern classic with its flowing curves and striking shape. Use its appeal to add new focus to the decoration of your home. Bear the following in mind when you are planning to redo a room which is functional and shows off your personal style:
• Accent. What is the purpose of the room? Which two items of the décor do you want to draw attention to? The type of room will determine what furniture and functional items must be placed in it. In a living room a television is a standard item and is accepted as functional rather than a highlight or feature. Place your Swan Chair in an area which allows the best functional use of the room that provides comfort and allows easy access.
• Balance. Is there sufficient space for seating? Can you develop a balance between the open space in the room and the cluttered areas where seating, accessories such as side tables and lamps and functional furnishings like book racks can be positioned? Take a bird’s nest approach to laying out your room – it should have an area to settle in for any period of time, but also have spaces where other activities can take place in comfort.
• Color. Is your new chair the primary or striking color in the setting? Do your walls compliment or contrast the color of your furnishing? The Swan Chair is generally finished in the bright and strong color of the era in which it became famous. If a striking orange clashes with the rest of your décor, something needs to be changed. Using neutral tones, such as gentle creams, on your walls allows you the flexibility of a variety of accent colors in the room. If your walls don’t allow your chairs color to shine, you may be better served by painting – it’s generally quick and easy and will change the entire appearance of the area. Use accessories like throws, scatter rugs and lamp shades to match the chair color in lighter tones. Take a conservative approach with patterns and textures to avoid overcrowding the room visually.
• Direction. What is the best direction for a seating? Where does light enter the room? Where is the focus or the best visual feature from a seated perspective? It’s pointless to have a great view from the room if the chairs are pointed in the wrong direction. Position the TV at an angle where viewers have a sense of depth and can see windows and space beyond the focal area. Remember that this chair was designed to swivel easily, use its versatility to access all the highlights of your space.
• Efficiency. Can you place your seats to allow unobstructed passageways in or through the room? Are chairs placed close enough together to allow easy conversation? Place side tables close enough to the seats for easy access to form functional clusters in the area. The function of the room must be first in mind – if the layout is not practical, you won’t make full use of the space.