Developing your own personal style of décor is much the same as establishing your personal clothing style – both require a lot of thought and searching for things you like that also fit your personality and lifestyle. The most important thing is to figure out what inspires you and set a goal – for some people, this goal can be that they just like to be surrounded by beautiful objects, some want to emulate a specific era or place, while still others just want their interior to be as functional as possible. Whichever category you fall in to, the design classics we present below are sure to be a fantastic source of inspiration.

LC4 by Le Corbusier

The LC4 chaise longue designed by legendary Le Corbusier to be an extension of your body, which can be seen in the way the anatomic contours of the leather seat rest on an elegantly curved leather frame, atop a steady and unwavering base. This chaise longue is widely considered a modernist masterpiece, a testament to a timeless design that still raises a few eyebrows – not bad going, considered it was first launched in 1928.

PK61 by Poul Kjærholm

Poul Kjærholm’s PK61 coffee table is a minimalist’s dream, comprising a rectangular tabletop in marble or glass aloft a simple metal frame, all held together purely through the power of gravity. The most characteristic element of the design is doubtless its symmetrical yet unique placement of the legs.

2368 Stora Kamel by Josef Frank

Josef Frank is one of the most influential Swedish designers of all time, and his Stora Kamel (‘Great Camel’) lamp is an excellent example of his knack for building on functionalism to create pieces that nevertheless had a focus on design. For the 2368 floor lamp, the functionality comes in the form of the gooseneck arm, which more easily allows for light its light to fall on a sofa or armchair. It is this element, resembling a camel’s hump, that gave the lamp its nickname.

EA 117 by Charles & Ray Eames

In one of his most famous quotations, Charles Eames reminds us that ‘The details are not details. They make the design’. A look at the EA 117 office chair shows how this perspective was used to create a design that leaves nothing to chance. The harmony created by the meeting of the gently sloping armrests with the natural curvature of the seat makes it easy to understand why this design is considered a modernist icon.

CH25 by Hans J. Wegner

1950’s CH25 armchair was one of Hans J. Wenger’s initial four designs on behalf of Carl Hansen & Søn, who retain the exclusive rights to the model. The frame comes in either oak or walnut upon which the seat is constructed using the paper cord material pioneered by Wenger.