The New Thonet Showroom: “Thonet Living”

From Family Home to Public Showroom

The family roots have been a formative element in the development of the new showroom. Claus, Peter and Philipp Thonet grew up in this house and many childhood memories are connected with it. After its use as the family home, the building became a functional officespace. Now there is new life in the bright, light-flooded rooms. “For me, the special thing about this place are my personal memories connected with it. The new design is so beautiful that I can very well imagine spending an afternoon here on my own”, says Philipp Thonet, the youngest of the three brothers.

Interior Design Trends over 300 Square Meters

The half-timbered house is situated within walking distance of the Thonet factory. Over 300 m2, visitors can get an overview of Thonet’s classic designs and also the most recent pieces. Architect Ulf Moeller was responsible for the conversion of the house. There are five rooms on each floor, and for each of these Peter Thonet has selected and arranged the furniture in cooperation with product developer Randolf Schott and marketing consultant Judith Brauner. Judith Brauner put the finishing touches to the rooms by giving each of them an individual styling and atmosphere. Referring to the concept of the new showroom, Thonet’s creative director James Irvine sums it up in one sentence: “Read the furniture like living in it.” When you step into the new space, you get an immediate impression of real comfort and lifestyle.

A Source of Inspiration for Private Customers, Architects and Retailers

While the earlier showroom occupied the ground floor only, the conversion of the first floor has transformed the whole house into an exhibition space. The individual rooms are furnished with the famous tubular-steel classics by Marcel Breuer, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Mart Stam, and with Michael Thonet’s signature bentwood chairs. Historical one-off pieces from the Thonet private collection can be discovered among the other designs. You can also see the latest products from the Milan furniture fair: the modular 7000 shelving system by f/p design, Marc Venot’s wooden table set, the 1580 table series by Claudio Bellini or the 130 chair series by Naoto Fukasawa. This showroom should be a source of inspiration for private customers, architects and retailers alike. “We offer complete solutions for living, dining and working areas. You no longer have to think in terms of individual products: instead you can get an idea of how different products can be combined to form an ideal, harmonious concept”, says managing director Roland Ohnacker. Peter Thonet adds: “It was also important for us to have a place for holding seminars that would demonstrate exemplary interior design concepts. We want to present potential solutions to retailers and export partners. We can also train sales teams here, and architects will get an immediate overview of our whole product range. “ The neighbouring object showroom has been maintained. Besides Thonet classics, it currently features three different designs of Hadi Teherani’s S 8000 conference table.

Thonet GmbH
Michael-Thonet-Straße 1
35066 Frankenberg

Opening hours showroom:
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 2 to 4 p.m.

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