| The School of Arts and Crafts and the Royal | | | | 'Basket' or 'Hanging' chair was a wicker chair that |
| Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark, | | | | was suspended from the ceiling by lengths of |
| has given birth to some of the world's most | | | | chain and one of Nanna Ditzel's many forays into |
| well-known furniture and architectural designers of | | | | working with wicker. Collaborations with her |
| the 20th century. Nanna Ditzel, who was born in | | | | husband Jorgen produced one of the most |
| the city in 1923, is one of the few women whose | | | | notable pieces of furniture Nanna Ditzel ever |
| name is known in the furniture community and | | | | designed, the 'Toadstool', stacking pieces for |
| recognized as one of the best. Nanna Ditzel | | | | children that served as both a table and a stool. |
| graduated in furniture design in 1946 at the age | | | | In 1954, Nanna Ditzel and her husband began to |
| of 23 and establiNanna Ditzeld her own studio with | | | | craft jewelry that won them both gold and silver |
| first husband Jorgen Ditzel the same year. Nanna | | | | awards at the Milan Trienalle. The jewelry Nanna |
| Ditzel is still working in the design sector today. | | | | Ditzel developed used inspiration from water to |
| Nanna Ditzel's career was launched in the years | | | | create little ripples of metal as if a stone had been |
| after World War II and Nanna Ditzel was faced | | | | thrown into a pond. Nanna Ditzel wanted her |
| with designing furniture that incorporated not only | | | | pieces to communicate a simple and elegant form |
| new materials but also new techniques. Some of | | | | that was both organic and unique. Nanna Ditzel |
| the materials Nanna Ditzel has worked with over | | | | continued her creative endeavors even after |
| her long career include fiber glass, wicker, and | | | | Jorgen passed away in 1961 and participated in |
| foam rubber. Furniture is not the only thing Nanna | | | | numerous 'one woman' exhibits throughout |
| Ditzel applied her knowledge to. Nanna Ditzel is a | | | | Europe. Nanna Ditzel began working with textiles |
| trained cabinetmaker and has also worked in | | | | which are distributed by Kvadrat. |
| designing jewelry, textiles, and tableware. Nanna | | | | In 1968, Nanna Ditzel married fellow designer Kurt |
| Ditzel tried her hand at applied art and during the | | | | Heide and moved to England. Together they |
| 1950s Nanna Ditzel even dabbled in split-level floor | | | | founded the company Interspace, an international |
| seating, as many homes of the time used design | | | | design firm that includes Nanna Ditzel Productions |
| techniques such as sunken or raised platform | | | | that sells her jewelry, textiles, and furniture. Many |
| rooms. | | | | of her designs are still being manufactured by |
| Some of Nanna Ditzel's signature pieces include | | | | Georg Jensen, Fredericia, Kvist, Getama, and |
| the 'Two-Seat Sofa' which was well accepted. It | | | | other furniture manufacturers. Interspace is still |
| had very intriguing and eye drawing curves yet | | | | going strong and is one of the leading international |
| remained both decorative and functional. The | | | | furniture houses today. |