Use round shapes to soften

Round shapes instantly create softness. They create a relaxing and friendly atmosphere. Who wouldn't want to cuddle up in the famous Egg Chair (1958) designed by Arne Jacobsen or the Ball Chair (1963) by Eero Aarnio? Or to play footsie under the Tulip table (1957) designed by Eero Saarinen or to caress the curves of a Panton Chair or a Guy Paulin sofa? Rounded curves in furniture design are used as a counterpoint to today's more austere designs. They also hark back to the more joyous, coloured and festive designs of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Curves and circles are becoming more sophisticated, displaying unexpected elegant twists and turns. In the home, rounded shapes allow you to create a space within a space and to define or isolate a space from the rest of the room. Round rugs or tables are perfect for marking off a dining or living area. But they need sufficient space around them to really shine. However, the approach is not the same in furniture design and architecture. "Curved structures (partitions and walls) are technically harder to build than straight ones. They require specialist expertise and often must be custom built. "This is much more expensive," explains Hélène Paoli.