Softicated's alternative route through furniture design

This is a special story about a very special designer and entrepreneur. So let's get right to it. Cyril Rumpler was born near Paris, but now lives and works in Geneva. It is there that in 2018 he founded the furniture brand Softicated. Its name speaks for itself as it merges sophistication and softness. Both qualities can be applied, for example, to the well-cushioned Saddlebags collection that comes as a two- or three-seater sofa, or as an armchair.

The seatings' armrests are adorned with walnut compartments – reminiscent of saddlebags. They give a lot of useful storage space for any object lying around, you know the usual suspects: newspapers, charging cables or remote controls. But the storage space also brings a cosy and enveloping feel to a living room. Once seated, users won't need to look far and wide for those commonly misplaced objects.

The Saddlebags range is available in different colours, materials, and refined finishes for its seating, cabinetry, feet, and handles. Its design is without question immediately recognisable, and comes not only with a cleverly-placed storage function, but also with a strong character. Considering the vast amount of sofas and styles of furniture designs around, this is indeed a big step towards a singular, unique position.

When I asked Cyril Rumpler how exactly he designs, how he visualises his ideas, he answered: 'Rather in a classic way, by drawing the rough idea that is in my head. Then going into details, making more refined sketches. Later, a very competent person will do a 3D rendering together with me. We always sit together before the screen and work on the details. Generally speaking, details are absolutely crucial to me. But this is not the end of the design process. Because I also receive valuable input and feedback from the companies we work with in order to produce the final product.'

Cyril Rumpler is, by the way, self-taught. In his old life, one might say, he spent his career promoting packaging for the pharmaceutical industry. In one of his posts on Softicated's Instagram account, he is open about the fact that an accident changed his life and made the things that really matter clear to him.

After he recovered, he accelerated destiny by devoting himself to his passion by creating furniture designs that reflect his persona, his views, and the styles he is most fond of. Being well-informed about the current trends by visiting international furniture fairs, he also has an eye for the aesthetic accomplishments of the past. When asked about the designers he admires, he instantly mentions Le Corbusier, Eero Saarinen and Philippe Starck.

What is astonishing about this young furniture brand is the already existing breadth and depth of its portfolio. When taking a closer look at the website, one is surprised to find quite a number of coherent designs from the areas of seating, tables, sideboards, and rugs. And Rumpler is about to launch various lamps as well, making light fixtures the next pillar of his company.

We all have images in our minds when we hear the words 'sofa', 'armchair', or 'table'. Yet even though Rumpler´s designs are never radical or overly dramatic, each one comes with special, surprising twists or details that leave mere tradition behind. Take the tubular base of his cosy Lit de Jour daybed, the unique shape of the base of the Ebb & Flow coffee table, or the subtle handles on the front of Dinner Box Sideboard, made from oak or walnut.

The same holds true with the Drum stool: a recent and very practical addition to the Softicated programme. It reminds one of a barrel, yet with an elegant cutout. The empty space in the stool’s base was designed to be perfectly oval. The stools come in different sizes, colours and seating fabrics. Furthermore, each features a rotating system located on the upper part of the stool. Like all of Cyril Rumpler´s designs: very moving indeed!

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