Bernhardt Connor Chair in Slate Gray Velvet & Chrome

There are a handful of furniture manufacturers known for their unique approach to design as well as their commitment to quality. It’s companies like these who’ve been able to survive through years of changes in style and aesthetic. One company that fits this mold is the famed Bernhardt Furniture Company, founded in 1889, and still in operation to this day. Having existed through countless eras of design, their contemporary work largely relies on lessons learned during the Mid-Century Modern movement. Such is true with the shown “Connor Chair” which exhibits a monumental chrome cantilevered frame echoing the work of designers such as the great Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

Our team chose to restore this Connor Chair in a handsome high-pile mohair like velvet in Slate, featuring a sequence of striations which accentuates the chair’s linear qualities. The Slate Velvet paired with the chromed steel frame makes for the perfect match in both color and materiality, as the softness of the velvet offsets the clean-edged metal frame. Taking cues from Mies van der Rohe’s Brno Chair, Bernhardt designed this chair with a cantilever which allows for a slight “rocking” effect when seated.

This chair has been newly upholstered in the Object Refinery workroom complete with new foam and fill. The chromed steel frame remains in its original condition and has received a thorough polish. As the chrome finish is original, minor wear exists consistent with age and history.