Jimmie Martin - A New Breed Of English Furniture

Written by Michelle Foody on Saturday, 12 December 2009 11:26

For most of us, the words “Swedish furniture” conjure up images of assembly-required, cookie-cutter pieces bought in a warehouse that also sells meatballs and cinnamon buns. Thankfully, two Swedish-born designers have joined forces to revolutionize design, and lend their Scandinavian roots some serious furniture-cred.

Jimmie Martin Ltd. was born in 2004, the brainchild of duo Jimmie Karlsson and Martin Nihlmar. Setting up shop on Kensington Church Street in London, the company quickly attracted attention for their signature combination of classic, sophisticated elements blended with an ultra-modern, eccentric touch. Within a year, the newly formed design house had won “Best New Designer in Practice” at the 2005 Design and Decoration Awards. Jimmie Martin caters to an upscale, luxury-seeking clientele, unafraid of something a bit bizarre entering their living quarters.
Black Flamingo Pair by Jimmie Martin Ltd

Black Flamingo Pair by Jimmie Martin Ltd

Their work runs the gamut: from fairly traditional, well-crafted luxury pieces to flat-out weird. Take, for instance, their “Flamingo Pair”, a set of two Louis XIV style armchairs from the 1920’s—hand-painted with three gorgeous pink flamingos on the backrest. Along with large, painted graphics, other popular decorative touches include the iconic Union Jack, spray-painted faux-graffiti (the word “Imperfection” makes frequent appearances), and the use of bright, bold color combos—all of which grace very beautiful, classic-looking furniture.
Chairs aren’t the only pieces getting the Jimmie Martin treatment. Buyers can commission four-post beds, full-length mirrors, tables, sofas, wardrobes, even dog-beds! Not content with furniture, the pair has expanded, lending their fresh, ironic outlook to wallpaper, soft goods like cushions (woven from seatbelt straps), ceramics (ranging from 130£ to 1,050£), and even a new line of white-wax candles. The candles—30 £ a piece, hello Christmas gift!—come in three scents and each sounds heavenly. Who wouldn’t want to fill their home with the smell of “soft, smoky maple syrup blended with a hint of quality leather”?
Kylie Minogue Chair by Jimmie Martin Ltd

Kylie Minogue Chair by Jimmie Martin Ltd

So just who is buying these punk-perfect designs? Everyone from celebs like Kylie Minogue and Kelly Osbourne (who opted for a commissioned “Pink Stiletto Chair” to New York’s Surrey Hotel—where one off pieces were commissioned for the lobby, bar, and their presidential suite to London’s ultra-exclusive nightclub Bungalow 8. Prices vary greatly, but rest assured, such unique, one-of-a-kind items simply aren’t available at IKEA prices. If you are prepared to invest in one of Jimmie Martin’s pieces of furniture-turned-art, you can find them at www.jimmiemartin.co.uk , or you could always just buy a yummy-scented candle!

-- By Michelle Foody
Mirror Black Frame by Jimmie Martin Ltd