It was 1890, when Jules Wageman started a production line in Maastricht. He could have hardly supposed it was going to survive two centuries later. His son, Henricus, introduced tapestries in the family business and founded a furniture producing factory. He soon opened a showroom in Amsterdam, and his furniture gained national popularity. Even if rather different today, it has retained that particular look, which has become its signature mark.
Artifort chairs are comfortable. Comfort comes first and foremost. Combination with elegance is obligatory. Materials are constantly experimented on. Lightweight constructions borrow the best of modern trends. There are two dates in company history which are considered memorable: 1958, when Kho Liang was hired, and 1959, when he invited French designer Pierre Pauline to join the firm. The latter introduced new techniques and forms. His bright furniture sculptures have made thousands of homes and offices smile. At this year’s exposition in Milan the company celebrated Pauline’s 80th anniversary and 50 years of collaboration.
Artifort is still depending on new designers. Their ingenuity should only connect to the company tradition. Like Michael van der Klay, whose already popular Globe brings traditional comfort to the virtual world, and the people and computers who inhabit it. The bond with the Land of Tulips is also not to be broken. Atrtifort laid special emphasis on this by sponsoring the Dutch pavilion at Expo Saragossa 2008.