When PoulKjaerholm designed the PK22 recliner in 1956, he not only came up with a chair. He made a design symbol. Kjærholm was different from many of his peers who chose wood, since he liked to mix steel with natural materials. He believed that steel had the same artistic characteristics as wood, but it was more precise and lasted longer.
The pk22 seat is a good demonstration of this concept. Minimalism is best exhibited in the thin steel frame of the chair and the hanging seat. It appears to be light, but at the same time, it is strong and appears as a sculpture and a piece of furniture simultaneously. The PK22 is one of the most recognized items of Danish contemporary furniture over the years. One may find it in houses, museums, and galleries all around the world.
The Seat is the Most Important Part of the Design
The PK22 is beautiful not because of its fancy embellishments, but because it is simple. The open frame makes it seem like it's floating, and the seat is really comfortable. The suspended seat was first available in canvas, wicker, or leather.
However, as time and usage go on, upholstery can become uneasy and less fashionable. This is where a tailored replacement is of significance. An upholstering of black leather, which is tailor-made, not just sews the chair, but also improves the entire sitting experience.
Why the PK22 Changes When You Use Black Leather
Choosing black leather is not a mistake. It is a material that never goes out of style and looks great with the stainless steel frame of the chair. The dark richness of the leather makes the PK22's lines seem even better. It gives the chair a modern edge while being loyal to Kjærholm's concept.
Leather, too, renders things more comfortable, and this is what becomes more comfortable as time goes by. True leather, however, is different, as it works out in the course of use, getting softer and more interesting. Once you add black leather upholstery to the PK22, it is no longer a recliner, but a chair that evolves alongside you and acquires its own patina and character.
The other important characteristic is that black leather is rather strong. Good leather can be worn on a day-to-day basis, does not get worn easily, and is known to improve with age. This will make it a worthy investment as it will retain the PK22 in the useful chair that can also be used as a collector's item.
A Mid-Century Design for Modern Spaces
The PK22 remains a design classic even nowadays since it can be used in a wide variety of environments. Its simplicity in shape makes it not occupy a space, but rather fit in with it in a quiet manner. The chair is many times more useful with the addition of black leather.
The black leather blends with the steel beams and the concrete flooring in a modern loft, allowing the building and the furniture to appear to go together. In a vintage library or living room, however, the same chair gives a shocking contrast of modern style. Its steel frame and leather seat balance the warmth of wood and fabric around it.
This is the ability to modify that makes the PK22 a genuine long-lasting investment. It is very attractive in a contemporary flat, design studio, or heritage house. The right upholstery transforms it into a highlight of the entire room, which improves the entire space.
How Important Craftsmanship Is
When changing the upholstery on such a well-known design, it is very important to do it well. PoulKjærholm's work is all about perfection, and a seat that doesn't fit well would ruin the whole point of his design. To make custom black leather upholstery, you need to be very careful to keep the chair's original dimensions and tension.
The best type of leather is full-grain or top-grain because it is strong and also appealing. Stitching and finish should be concealed in such a way that the upholstery looks as a natural extension of the frame rather than an independent item. This level of attention ensures the PK22 remains a minimalist masterpiece, at the same time being more comfortable and durable.
More than just furniture: a way of life
Having a PK22 recliner is not having a chair, but having a bit of the design history. It depicts a lifestyle that focuses on integrity, plainness, and sophistication. The thing is, adding custom-made black leather upholstery turns the chair into the object of admiration and makes it highly personal, an heirloom to be worn and used daily.
Individuals do not just admire the chair, but also use it. It encourages leisure time, silence in reading or talking, demonstrating that good design must never be detached from people, but must feature in their lives.
Finally, preservation and maintenance of a classic.
The PK22 recliner, PoulKjærholm, is also regarded as one of the brightest examples of modern furniture design. The combination of steel and natural upholstery materials is a perfect reflection of the Danish modernism spirit: simple, helpful, and incredibly appealing.
Nevertheless, the best designs require some attention, even over time. The optimal solution to make the PK22 look and feel new is to have a tailor-made black leather upholstery. It makes the chair more comfortable, introduces a bit of class, and allows it to blend in with the contemporary design.
We believe that the designs that are to be lasting should evolve as we do. Not only by choosing a bespoke leather upholstery of the PK22 are you preserving the vision of Kjærholm, but you are also turning this piece of art into a part of your daily existence.