Belle

Belle provides opportunity for urban exhibition in the empty spaces that storefronts and open–faced restaurants inherently provide. Largely understated are the striking yet subdued seating arrangements that doubly address functional demands as well as can be a focal point in a restaurant's decor. Too often spaces are over–filled with elements of "design" that attempt to provide aesthetic experience for clientele — and then loose sight of the potential in the functional objects filling the environment. The Belle stool looks more the part of modern sculpture than a seat, and alone is its own display — but in use it draws attention to it's occupant. The stool evolves into an increasingly simulating visual element when stacked, which is made possible via an interlocking connection detail. Stacked and grouped, Belle is functional art that is Eva Zeizel–esque, creating visual effect in it's repetition of form and silhouette.

During business hours, Belle adds functional richness to any contemporary space, with its classic hourglass shape and the counter–balancing material and finish. After hours, when restaurants and shops themselves are closed and activity moves to the streets, Belle continues to serve as a visual element, bringing her design(/art) to the streets full of club–goers and night life or would–be spectators. What time and effort would be invested into what people perceived as "permanent" design features (i.e. wall finishing, layout, flooring, windows etc.) could ultimately be a higher–yielding totality if furniture elements were not overlooked by so many.