CAROLINE HOGGARTH
For upholsterer Caroline Hoggarth a tear in the seat or a crack in the wood is more a welcoming challenge than it is a deal breaker. She sources and restores furniture from the golden era of design in the 20th century and finds great satisfaction in finding them new homes. For her, Danish design from that period is a beacon – something that becomes evident when she takes the furniture apart and witnesses the craft firsthand.
“I think the Scandinavians understood the concept of form versus function before anyone else, and absolutely started the movement.”
“When I take a Wegner chair apart, I can literally see what his thought process was – and why he made the most beautiful chairs in the world.”
WHO ARE YOU?
I’m an upholsterer, and I buy and restore particularly mid-century furniture, and find new homes for some of the most beautiful pieces ever made. I run a small shop, A fold of chairs, in St. Albans just outside of London.
WHAT KINDS OF FURNITURE DO YOU TYPICALLY CHOOSE TO WORK WITH?
I deal with pieces from the 1940’s through to the 1990’s, mainly chairs and sofas, but more and more furniture, art, and ceramics. The unifying elements would be beauty, quality of design and of material. Objects that have endured many decades, and with some love and attention could last many more. The most satisfying parts of my job are: Sourcing a piece that I know to be beautiful but has perhaps become neglected or lost. Restoring the piece, which at times feels like archaeology as you work out how to go through the process, which is unique every time. And lastly when I find a new home for the piece, and it makes a new connection.
WHAT IS MID-CENTURY STYLE TO YOU?
Mid-century modern is in one word: Optimistic. It's been crafted by people who really understand furniture. I don’t believe there is a ‘house style’ that is midcentury, it varies from designer to designer and country to country, but I would say: beautiful materials, crafted by people with craft skills and a vision for better. The Danish designers led the way. I can’t think of another country that has had such an impact in terms of shaping the aesthetic of furniture in the 20th century. I think the Scandinavians understood the concept of form versus function before anyone else, and absolutely started the movement. Most of the items I buy and which I have in my home, are pieces from Scandinavia.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE WORK OF HANS J. WEGNER?
To me, Hans Wegner is the pinnacle of midcentury furniture design. He clearly understood how to make a chair. He would understand, before anything went into production, exactly how each piece went together, and I think that is so evident in his furniture. When I take a Wegner chair apart, I can literally see what his thought process was – and why he made the most beautiful chairs in the world.
YOU OWN A SET OF VINTAGE WEGNER WISHBONE CHAIRS AND A ROCKING CHAR– WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THESE CHAIRS?
We have always been drawn to the Wishbone chairs. We have had them for years. They are comfortable, beautiful, and iconic – so versatile, and efficient in their material usage. They are simple and do not try to be the star of the show. The Wishbone chairs have the perfect form versus function, and everyone feels special in that chair.
The rocker is one of our longest owned chairs. The kids loved it when they were young. To sit in it and read the paper, looking out to the garden, is impossibly relaxing.
