Spanish Design: BD Barcelona Design

Where do you draw the line between art and design? What if a piece of furniture is so extraordinary that it elevates itself from the mundane use as a mere functional object? This was a question I asked myself when I wandered through the showroom of BD Barcelona Design in the Catalan metropolis. As part of our #SunnyDesignDays blogger tour in Spain, we made a stop-over at BD Barcelona Design and experienced a visual voyage from functional outdoor furniture to art collector objects.

When you take a stroll through the large and inspiring showroom of BD Barcelona Design you will quickly notice that you’ll meet the designs of a top list of internationally renown designers. Names like Jaime Hayon, Oscar Tusquets, Ettore Sottsass, Konstantin Grcic or Cristian Zuzunaga – just to mention a few. And when you step a bit deeper into the showroom you will behold an area that looks like a crazy reverie of Salvador Dalí. But wait – it is Salvador Dalí! The eccentric surrealist painter shares the stage with another iconic name from Catalonia: Antoni Gaudí. And that is where the real art comes into play as BD Barcelona Design has the exclusive rights to produce and sell the original designs from both artists that attract many art collectors from around the world.

The other pieces at BD Barcelona Design are more commercial and affordable for the mass market. I loved the pieces by Spanish designer Jaime Hayon in particular – his collection of outdoor furniture and vases named ‘Gardenias’ is the perfect match for the new and whimsical Monkey Side Table made of concrete. I mean I can clearly see a very lush and green outdoor space equipped with those pieces for the ultimative Urban Jungle Bloggers feeling, right? I also loved his collection of furniture with a strong reference to mid-century design – his Lounger chair made of wood and soft leather was beyond comfortable to sit in.

Another visual highlight were the dressing tables by London based design studio Doshi Levien. They play with forms and colours thus creating interesting design objects for the daily use. The playfulness of the Chandlo dressing table almost reminded me of a contemporary interpretation of the designs of the Memphis Group from the 1980s. Speaking of the Memphis Group: How can one oversee the famous witty vase by Ettore Sottsass? Well, you know which one I mean. And I fell in love with the beautiful handmade ceramic Fang Vases by local artist Xavier Manosa – but I will tell you more about him on the blog in the next few days. Stay tuned!

BD Barcelona Design, Carrer de Ramón Turró 126, Barcelona

Photography by Igor Josifovic & Susanna Vento