Elio

November 10th, 2021 Written by: Bernhardt Design

Elio, a refined swivel lounge. Reminiscent of the famed “maisons” of Paris, Elio’s precise angles and curves express
the luxury of the past through an undeniably modern lens.

Influenced by the techniques of Parisian design masters, Duchaufour-Lawrance replicates their concepts while
maintaining his recognizable harmonious and graceful shapes. He explains his thought process, “My idea was to
create the movement and lightness of a free-flowing cape frozen in time. Comfort is always my top priority, so I opted
for a plush pillow and seat so the shawl could be thin and fluid.”

The chair’s simple form, suggesting a cloak draped over an ottoman, encourages creative combinations of textiles
and leathers, which can transform Elio from conservative to avant-garde.

Jerry Helling, President of Bernhardt Design, admires Duchaufour-Lawrance’s creative vision and originality by
stating, “Noé has a knack for presenting an intriguing idea and transforming it into something beautiful and very
refined in detail. The cape is a fashion icon that has always captured the imagination of designers, and Noé
embraced its ethereal qualities while creating a substantial object.”
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Elio is available in two versions; a stationary model, or with a self-returning swivel, and it may be specified in any
Bernhardt Design fabric or leather, or in the customer’s own material (COM). Elio will debut in the summer of 2020.

ABOUT NOÉ DUCHAUFOUR-LAWRANCE

Born in South France in 1974, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance is a designer of objects and interior environments.
Following in the footsteps of his father, a sculptor, his artistic interests developed at an early age. Growing up in this
creative atmosphere, he had the opportunity to define his own language: using natural shapes with smooth and
organic lines which remain fluid and structured at the same time. After earning a degree in Metal Sculpture from the
École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Appliqués et des Métiers d’Art, he studied furniture design at the renowned Les
Arts Décoratifs. Fueled by his rich creative background, Duchaufour-Lawrance explored new boundaries and rapidly
became involved in unusual projects that enabled him to define and create his own aesthetics and style.

In 2002, he served as artistic director for the Sketch restaurant in Soho, London, and his bold design of the interiors
soon transformed it into one of the most sought-after venues in the city. Having garnered worldwide acclaim for the
Sketch project, Duchaufour-Lawrance established the creative studio Neonata, meaning “New Birth” in 2003.

Functioning as a think tank and a research laboratory, Neonata’s team under Duchaufour-Lawrance’s direction “gives
birth” to design and interior architectural projects that convey a sense of perfection down to the last detail.
In a dramatic makeover for the high-end gastronomic restaurant Senderens, Duchaufour-Lawrance complemented
and contrasted Majorelle’s historic wood-panels with luminous tables and engraved mirrors giving a contemporary
twist of design to the Art Nouveau interiors.

In 2007, Duchaufour-Lawrance received the prestigious Maison & Objets Créateur de l’Année award. In the same
year, he designed the new interiors of the Maya Bar in Monaco, rejuvenated the famous Maison Sénéquier in St
Tropez, and in collaboration with Brand Image created the new visual and architectural identity of the Air France
business class lounges. Subsequently, in 2010, he began designing retail concepts for clients, such as Yves Saint
Laurent and the BSL Gallery in Paris.

His expanding acclaim for creating distinctive dining spaces led to new interiors commissions including Le Ciel de
Paris in the Montparnasse Tower and Megu, a Japanese restaurant in Gstaad, Switzerland.

Most recently, in 2013 he completed the private dining room for Chateau d’Yquem in the Parisian hotel Le Meurice
and a chalet in St Martin de Belleville.

Finding inspiration in nature, his series of “Down Side Up” vases resemble round pebbles; his office ensemble
“Landscape” created for Longchamp takes the form of a moving landscape; and his furniture for Ceccotti – including
the iconic Manta Desk – appears as an elegant mix of intertwined curved lines and ramifications.

His achievements also include international successes for his design of Rémanence, a candelabra designed for
Baccarat; a perfume bottle in the shape of a gold bar for Paco Rabanne; and award winning furniture collections for
Bernhardt Design. He has been included in a number of international design exhibitions and his limited edition work
has been featured at Art Basel and Design Miami.

ABOUT BERNHARDT DESIGN

Bernhardt Design was founded in 1980 by the 130-year-old Bernhardt Furniture Company and continues to be a leader and innovator in furniture design and production. During the past 20 years, President Jerry Helling has assembled an extraordinary creative team that has positioned Bernhardt Design as one of the leading international design companies with a roster of talent that includes: Ross Lovegrove (London), Arik Levy (Paris), Jaime Hayon (Valencia), Luca Nichetto (Venice), Yves Béhar (San Francisco), Patrick Jouin (Paris), Fabien Baron (New York), Monica Förster (Stockholm), CuldeSac (Valencia), Mario Bellini (Milan), Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance (Lisbon), Raleigh Denim (Raleigh), Farg & Blanche (Stockholm), Charles Pollock (New York), Claudia and Harry Washington (San Salvador), Anabela Chan (London), Océane Delain (Paris), Joe Gebbia (San Francisco), Tift Merritt (Raleigh), and Terry Crews (Los Angeles).

Setting a precedent for leadership within the corporate community, Bernhardt Design founded and annually sponsors an interdisciplinary course with the world-renowned Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, challenging students to create world-class designs for mass production. The company also sponsors the ICFF Studio, a scholarship program that provides emerging design talent exposure to manufacturers, retailers, and media from around the world.

American Design Honors, an annual award to recognize the most noteworthy American designers, was established by Bernhardt Design in 2010. Internationally, Bernhardt Design supports young designers through their sponsorship of the annual Contempo program conceived to advance the design profession in El Salvador, and America Made Me, a program to promote new brands and young American design talent abroad.