In one sitting: Freifrau Ona

People are changing and the way they sit is changing, too. Luckily for Freifrau, the much sought-after young German designer Sebastian Herkner is adept at incorporating the ever-changing nature of life into his work and brought this focus into the creation of a very special new chair, which remains infused with the brand's DNA.

The design unites two contrasting dispositions: on the one hand, that of the company, which values comfort and timeless design above all else and believes that every chair should be like a tailor-made object, and, on the other, Sebastian Herkner’s innovative drive. Herkner is the kind of person who, even after the fifth model, continues to see a chair as more than a seating surface with four legs.

Ona, the result of his close collaboration with Freifrau, is a chair with a focus on elegant lines, select materials and the aesthetics of colour. Herkner, however, is concerned with much more than looks. For him beauty alone isn’t enough; a chair must also be comfortable and for this reason, Ona draws on the craft of upholstery.

What sets Ona apart is the unique backrest, with its double-shell construction that lends the chair its distinctive appearance. The spare elegance of its soft lines and curves, accented by continuous piping, goes hand in hand with meticulous attention to quality. Together, these traits run through the entire product family: Ona is also available as an armchair, a lounger and a bar chair, all of which share these assets. The individual components coalesce in the design of the chair. ‘Design is always a cooperation, a synthesis of two attitudes,’ Sebastian Herkner emphasises. Asked about the success of his products, he says modestly: ‘When people feel comfortable, I’m happy.’

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