The first official day of spring is this Sunday and with it comes spring cleaning to usher in the new season. If you're tired of your current interiors, refresh them with unique, contemporary design that can be found at Billings' Spring Art and Design sale on March 26. Featuring large collections of Isamu Noguchi Akari lighting and pots by Willy Guhl, a Charlotte Perriand / Ateliers Jean Prouvé table, and several Hans Hopfer 'Mah Jong' and Michel Ducaroy 'Togo' sectional seating elements, the sale has plenty for a stylish spring reset. Here are a few of the highlights not to miss:
One of the top lots is this 'Viking' chair by Jan de Swart, the Dutch-American sculptor and designer, who revolutionized modern design in California in the mid-20th century. He was fascinated by organic, biomorphic shapes and used the cell structure to inspire his work. This unusual chair is made of carved American black walnut, patinated steel, and thread and dates to 1973.
Considered the brain behind "seating landscapes," Hans Hopfer is known for his sectional sofas most of all. Here is his colorful "Mah Jong" sectional sofa from 1971 made for Roche Bobois, which is still the company's most iconic design. In addition to this one, there are a number of "Mah Jong" sofas featured in the sale.
Though Isamu Noghuchi is best known for his eponymous table (one of which is in this sale), a large selection of his lighting is also on offer. His Akari lanterns, introduced in the 1950s, are named for the Japanese word for light and were inspired by lanterns Noguchi saw on a trip to Japan. The handcrafted paper and bamboo lamps create a soft light and complement any interior space.
Another iconic piece of lighting is Poul Henningson's Artichoke lamp from the 1960s. The copper, painted and chrome-plated metal light fixture diffuses the light of the bulb uniquely and has become a staple of mid-century Danish design.
Also from the 1960s comes this Djinn sofa by French designer Olivier Mourgue, which was seen in the 2001: A Space Odyssey, the 1968 sci-fi film. Film director Stanley Kubrich considered the design so innovative and futuristic with its minimalist structure, sinuous lines and bright colors. A Djinn lounge chair and ottoman are also available in the auction.