A story of rebirth....

A sofa is discovered in the back streets of Deptford. Sad looking, with its broken leg and ripped leather, its fate was to be left out on the streets, damp and rejected. Thinking this was not a good way for it to go, Raw Nerve took it back to the studio. It sparked the group's imagination as we considered all the things it may have experienced in its lifetime.

It could have been a child's castle or a hiding place. Perhaps it would have felt two young lovers languishing in it. Or it could have witnessed a gangster robbery or the tragedy of a failed marriage. A collection of many lost objects buried within it could have formed through the years. Or it could have remembered all the many conversations and secrets it has heard whilst inhabiting various living rooms.

Rather than the sofa being a functional object, we imagined the sofa as a living breathing thing having lived its own life, albeit unconscious to all those who had used it.

We re-upholstered the sofa so that imprinted on it, like a memory, are all the imagined stories of its life so far. The surface of the sofa is essential to the telling of the stories. To read the stories the sofa has to be explored and interacted with, lifting cushions to reveal tales and listening to sounds coming from deep within, which unravel the intimate and personal secrets of its past.

Breathe new life into old furniture

Are you sure you want to throw that old piece of furniture out? Sure, its looking a bit shabby, the upholstery is all worn out... but waste not, there's life in it yet. We will discover the history of your beloved sofa, cabinet or chair, learn about you and your environment, then interpret and transform all the collected information into graphic and typographic designs to reveal past memories and experiences.

A discarded sofa becomes a new piece of furniture, with unique upholstery.

Using secondhand tea cloths and aprons, Life is Suite has created a sofa with a narrative. Pictures, homilies, poems and recipes tell a story of a Nan's life, evoking happy memories tinges with nostalgia. As a chair for modern users there are pockets for remote controls, and other paraphernalia. The sofa has been created by Stuart Parker and Paul Green for Life is Suite.

If you are an interior designer creating a space we can design a sofa according to your concept. If you are in need a window display that reflects your brand or products we re-design old furniture that creatively reflects your message. If you are a business and want to transform your foyer seeting into a talking point, then please contact us.

Exhibitions and press

Contact

If you wish to enquire about a commission, or need high resolution images for a press story, please contact Rebecca Molina or Kieran McMillan on
TEL: +44 (0)20 8692 4343
info [at] raw-nerve.co.uk