By Patricia Sheridan
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
HIGH POINT, N.C.
Textile designer Susan Hable’s first foray into furniture is far from a timid entry into the home furnishings category. There are 23 pieces, including dining room, living room and bedroom furniture. Hable for Hickory Chair debuted during the Spring Furniture Market.
“My background as a textile designer and artist definitely influences all of my work,” she says.
The Athens, Ga.-based designer founded Hable Construction (hableconstruction.com) with her sister, Katharine Hable Sweeney of Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1999. Both were born and raised in Corsicana, Tex.; they produce fabric and rug lines and fine art.
“As far as designing home decor and making a space, I feel confident,” she says.
The heart of the new collection is the Rose chamfered ottoman, which was inspired by the constellations. It expresses her feeling of unlimited possibilities.
“I think when you are creative and open, one can do anything! I have never thought that anything I wanted to do wasn’t possible.”
Her open, happy demeanor translates into all of the pieces. Ultimately, she sees herself as an artist.
“I used to think this was so pompous, so it’s taken me forever just to say it,” she confesses.
Rose ottomans can be clustered to create a makeshift coffee table or used individually as extra seating. Their pentagon shape is a playful departure from the typical round, rectangular or oval ottoman.
Hable’s love of texture and form is also present throughout the line, from the sleek Agnes console with its smooth brass legs to the Tate armchair inspired by her admiration for designer Gio Ponti. The Bird wing chair is a curvy, comfy piece of artistic craftsmanship that retails for $3,003.
She describes the overall personality of the collection as “chic, sophisticated and lively with a contemporary slant.” Hable is particularly proud of the furniture’s “handsome shapes and artful lines.” One great example is the Frankie sofa, which features a backless maple frame floating on an X-shaped base. Little brass ferrules cap the bottom of the legs.
The designer plans to add more pieces that will be introduced at the spring 2016 market.
