This summer Jonathan Charles, the fine furniture brand known for its hand craftsmanship, launched two new collections, Toulouse and Barcelona. Both collections, as their names imply, are respectively influenced by modernized European design traditions and include case goods and upholstery.
The Toulouse entertainment cabinet is 90″w.
The Toulouse sideboard features duck eggshell door pulls.
Toulouse, a 30-piece collection, hones in on 20th century European modern in a warm and livable way, balancing a variety of soft curves with sleek, low profiles and tapered legs. Materials such as walnut solids and veneers, oil-rubbed metals, and duck eggshell inlay play prominent roles. The latter is a technique borrowed from ancient China and is a mosaic of cross-sectioned eggshell fragments. This finish and veneer that emulate French straw work from the 1940s, and the hand-cast hardware that is designed concurrent with the cabinetry, imbue the collection with the level of hand craftsmanship that is a consistent hallmark of Jonathan Charles.
The Barcelona drinks cabinet features bleached walnut swirl veneer and lit storage.
The Barcelona collection, featuring bleached walnut solids and veneer in bookmatched herringbone, radial and swirl patterns, stainless steel, and silver and gold leaf accents, takes cues from Spanish, French and Italian design traditions. While the metalwork calls to mind Spanish iron smiths, and some of the metallic accents hint at Italian renaissance, the low luster finish on case pieces negates any fussiness. Other materials mixed into Barcelona include Spanish marble and leather.
Toulouse accent chair in All Star flannel
Upholstery is a newer category for Jonathan Charles. Both collections feature three performance fabrics in neutral colorways with pleasing tactile qualities. Jonathan Charles’ creative director James Nauyok says that Toulouse’s tailored upholstery profile and feel speaks to the minimalist traditions of the Italian Modernists.
Shipping is scheduled to begin in October for both collections. The Jonathan Charles High Point Market showroom, located at 200 N. Hamilton, is open year round by appointment. Zoom tours are also available.