Bernhardt Design has unveiled Diego, a new chair series by Salvadorian designers Harry & Claudia Washington. Named after their four-year-old son who keeps them on the move, the designers wanted to create a casual, yet functional chair that adapted to their lives at home and in the studio.
Relaxed in appearance, generously scaled and smartly tailored, Diego surprises with its functionality. "Our inspiration came from vintage race-car bucket-seats that give a very different kind of hold to the body," explains Harry Washington. "We wanted to translate that into a lounge chair, which is not something we had ever seen before." Multi-density memory foam on the seat and back enhances comfort, while weight-locking casters provide easy movement and placement.
Diego features a discreet magnetic tab which automatically snaps into place, allowing it to be pushed or pulled with little effort. "The handle is one of the most interesting design elements," said Claudia Washington. "When we incorporated it into the back of the chair, we envisioned it being used in collaborative spaces where a lot of movement is required."
"Lounge chairs are no longer static objects," noted Jerry Helling, President of Bernhardt Design. "They need to adapt and move with us, supporting our ever-changing needs and activities. Harry and Claudia's solution is clever and discreet. Diego's remarkable comfort, combined with the magnetized pull for mobility, achieves that objective."
