The Sandows Collection, brought back into production by French design brand Petite Friture, returns three icons of 1920s industrial design to the forefront of contemporary interiors
Photography by Jonas Marguet featuring Petite Friture
René Herbst, often dubbed ‘the man of steel’, was a groundbreaking French architect and designer whose influence continues to inspire contemporary design. A leading figure of the French Modern Movement, Herbst championed functional, minimalist furniture, steering design away from excessive ornamentation.
An early pioneer of metal furniture, he experimented with materials such as tubular steel, glass, wood and rubber to create lightweight, ergonomic and durable pieces that remain just as relevant today as when they were first conceived.
Originally created in 1927 as part of the Sandows Collection, many of his pieces appeared during a defining year in furniture design, when styles began moving away from decorative detail toward functional, industrial forms.
Photography by Jonas Marguet featuring Petite Friture
Now, French design brand Petite Friture has brought three of Herbst’s iconic works back into production. Available from May 2026, the Sandows Collection comprises the Chair N°212, the sophisticated Armchair with its wooden armrests and the elegant Daybed N°114, featuring a reclining back designed for relaxed, everyday living.
Produced in Italy with chromed steel frames and fabric-covered rubber tensioners, the updated designs stay true to Hubert’s original material language. With clean lines and minimalist forms, the collection balances simplicity and functionality.
Exemplifying this approach are the sleek, steel armchair and sculptural daybed, accented with black lacquered oak veneer for added warmth, while the daybed is finished with a black leather mattress and headrest.
Photography courtesy of Petite Friture
Visually, the collection reads as a series of lines in space. Its light structure provides generous comfort, with elastic tensioners that adapt to the body and distribute weight evenly. The result is a timeless collection that embodies Herbst’s focus on simplicity and ergonomics.
Nearly a century on, these pieces still feel modern, relevant and strikingly elegant. Brought back to life by Petite Friture, they remain faithful to Herbst’s original vision and are now ready to inspire the next generation of design lovers.
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