The present bookshelf was designed by two of the most influential designers of the 20th century. It is primarily made from oak and oak-veneered wood, a durable material which gives the piece a sense of warmth, elegance, and timeless appeal. The glass doors of the cabinets in the middle section provide a notable contrast to the wooden frame, giving an element of transparency and lightness to the piece. This is further displayed through its construction on three levels, resulting in a beautiful combination of positive and negative space.

Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret were two of the most important figures in the mid-century modern movement. Perriand was a French architect and designer, and one of the few women to be accepted into the male-dominated world of design during that time. She worked closely with Le Corbusier and was a pioneer in the use of new materials such as steel and aluminium in furniture design as well as a proponent of a pared-down aesthetic she discovered during her travels to Japan. Her trip there in the early 1940s was an eye-opening journey in developing a powerfully simple design language which she imbued in her creations of the following years. Similarly favouring minimalist projects and constructions, Jeanneret was a Swiss architect, painter and designer who worked alongside his cousin Le Corbusier.

In the design of this bookshelf with cabinets, we can see a true representation of the designers’ shared philosophy of simplicity and practicality. It is a simple yet well-thought-out design, created with the user in mind and providing ample storage space while making a statement within an interior. Together, Perriand and Jeanneret brought a new, modern aesthetic to the furniture design of their time, emphasizing the beauty of functionality and clean lines.