Here Now offers a versatile contract range, and the studio’s name is a nod to the team’s collaborative approach to creating furnishings that are beyond the typical utilitarian options. “What really distinguishes us is how of the moment our brand is,” says Justin Champaign, founder and creative partner of Here Now. “We develop products for specific projects to provide solutions in real time.”
Champaign and his team partner with architects, designers, and companies to envision furniture that meets a particular need, while also responding to challenges and opportunities in the market. Based in North Carolina, lead times are considerably shorter, and clients can choose from a variety of fabrics and finishes to achieve a desired look. Whether purchasing several chairs to complement an interior or adding a single side table as a finishing touch, customers want items that bring color and contemporary style to the office.
The three new introductions were designed with specifiers who are looking for ways to draw employees back to the office in mind. Rather than opting for a series of basics as an afterthought, they are striving to create memorable experiences. “Offices have to be more than just ordinary places, really those places that we want to be in,” Champaign notes. “Having compelling objects in the workplace is one way to do that.”
Tiffany Islands is an iteration of the original Tiffany modular seating, with the same curves but in new back-to-back models. The updated version consists of three components: a straight seat with a back, a wedge seat with a back, and an arm. These elements can be used as a single unit or paired together to create a variety of configurations – an island getaway within a corporate environment. Users can channel their inner child and have some fun by forming serpentine lounges up to 30 feet long, or grouping modules with cafe tables to create an informal setting in an open plan office. With ergonomic proportions and an 18 inch task seat height, Tiffany Islands supports different postures and types of engagement with optimum comfort.
Champaign set out to produce a chair with European sophistication at an accessible price point, and he came up with what he describes as Here Now’s first true lounge chair, Miles. The chair features a solid ash wood frame (which can be painted in a water-based lacquer), highlighting both local materials and the manufacturing capabilities the region is known for. Champaign referenced some of the design language typically associated with a side or dining chair, and applied it to a lounge silhouette. Contract-grade foam cushions can be covered in a number of upholstery fabrics. Miles can be dressed up for a residential application with a textured bouclé, or a standard vinyl can be used in high-traffic areas where durability is required.
Named after Champaign’s infant daughter, the first Millie table was a staple in the nursery, but this compact and multifunctional occasional table can also be used in wellness rooms, education settings, or in lounge areas. A space-saver with integrated power, Millie also boasts dual table surfaces. Laptops, cups, and paperwork can be placed on the work surface. The upholstered base has just the right touch of softness, and doubles as a storage area, the perfect spot to tuck away bags and other accessories.
For more information on the Here Now brand and all its offerings, head to herenowdesign.com.
Photography by SEEN CGI.
