"We strive to break free from conventions."

 The JAMES valet stand is a prime example of cutting-edge furniture design combined with outstanding quality and a unique character. This special clothing storage solution, intended to replace the traditional chair, was designed by the renowned Cologne-based design studio BUDDE. The work of Johannes Budde and Meike Papenfuß, who founded the studio in 2019, is characterized by a consistently innovative approach. The JAMES valet stand embodies this design philosophy. In an interview, the two designers revealed the precise basis of this philosophy and the role JAMES plays within it.

Photo: Benni Janzen

How is the collaboration with Metallbude came?

Meike: “As a young design studio, we are always interested in collaborating with exciting, up-and-coming furniture brands. Shared values and a similar corporate philosophy play a central role for us in selecting cooperation partners. After an initial exchange, it quickly became clear: this is a match! We bring different strengths and expertise to the partnership. While our focus at BUDDE is on design, we value the expertise of Metallbude with regard to procurement, manufacturing and logistics. We quickly developed a shared vision – for the product, the presentation and the storytelling.”

Johannes, how would you describe your own design philosophy?

Johannes: “Clear and self-contained. Unobtrusive, but anything but conventional. – That’s how the trade press describes our designs. BUDDE’s design philosophy is based on the principle that every design is characterized by a single fundamental idea. Our approach is consistent in that we avoid anything superfluous. We always design furniture holistically and with an eye toward its future use and where the design will be placed. We strive to break free from conventions and question how a piece of furniture is actually used and lived with in the long term. Furthermore, our designs are characterized by a certain degree of interaction. They should be both tactile and functional for the user and, ideally, not only fulfill a practical function but also surprise and inspire.”

How and where do you find the ideas and inspiration for your designs?

Johannes: “Inspiration and ideas can be found practically everywhere – while traveling, in nature, in conversations, music, but also in everyday life. For me personally, silence is also very important. The best ideas often come just before falling asleep. When I'm working on a new design, I try to incorporate short naps, which initially feels wrong because you want to be productive. But I believe that letting go is important in order to truly perceive and reflect on your own thoughts. In everyday life, a kind of mental 'noise' often arises, in that everyday problems are often louder than a subconsciously slumbering design idea.”

How did the design of JAMES come about?

Meike: “JAMES originated from the observation that almost everyone has that one chair in the corner of their bedroom or dressing room, piled high with worn clothes. In reality, no one ever sits on it. It's not only an eyesore, but also impractical, and we wanted to change that. We asked ourselves what an object should look like that is both functional and a modern eye-catcher in the interior design. We optimized the form, reducing it to its essentials, thus reinterpreting the classic valet stand. With its humorous association to the ‘clothes chair in the corner,’ JAMES is both a striking one-line sculpture and a practical piece of furniture.”

Speaking of which: Is JAMES still just a piece of furniture or already a work of art?

Johannes: “You could say that modern furniture design is art with function. While classical art often creates a distance from the viewer, as it hangs behind glass and cannot be touched, for example, our design is intended to be actively used in everyday life. Good design is approachable, useful, and invites interaction. That's why we would say: JAMES combines furniture and artwork.”