FREEDOM
A shapeless, yet delineated form.
Liberated from fixed structures and settings, from seating positions and seating directions. A rounded design does not sit trapped in a (sitting) corner. Dolly is all about openness: open configurations, an open spirit. The Boho lifestyle: chilling out, peace, nature — instant happiness. The philosophy of love, peace & harmony. Roolf and Studio Segers have found one another.
The roots of Roolf Living lie in the carpet industry: Oostro Carpets (1983) is a Belgian manufacturer of flat woven and sisal-look carpets — for both indoors and outdoors. Then an idea spontaneously started to ferment: outdoor carpets? Outdoor furniture! Roolf Living (2018) has grown into the brand for Boho-chic outdoor living: from pouffes and chaise-longues to dog baskets. In any case, it is atypical outdoor furniture: no garden sets in (teak) wood and other hard materials. It’s precisely that which captivated Studio Segers. Contact was made, a contract signed, and the design process could begin.
This renowned Belgian bureau has built up a varied portfolio featuring designs for seating and other furniture for indoor and outdoor brands. ‘But outdoor seating without an internal structure or external construction is a whole new ball game.’
Dolly is actually a sort of armchair: a casual hybrid between pouffe and armchair, because it has both a backrest and an armrest. It doesn’t sag, doesn’t fall over. You sit in a relaxed position and can easily stand up. Without an internal structure, ‘formless’ behaves in a surprisingly stable way. This is thanks to the interplay between the contents and the covering. The interior consists of stable dry-feel foam and amorphous EPS granules. These granules give only ‘limited’ shape to the pouffe; it is the rigid upholstery and seams that allow the model to retain its form. The sisal look reflects the expertise of Oostro Carpets. The material has a strong visual presence: the robust, chunky basket weave texture is highly daring for a piece of outdoor furniture! (The fibres are made of fine filament polypropylene.) The natural look is maintained.
Dolly’s identity lies in its autonomous, nomadic character. A round (and) stand-alone piece can be positioned anywhere. Where do you want it to go? You’re not confined to a fixed position.
The collection consists of a one-seater, a two-seater and a daybed. The best thing is: they fit perfectly into both an outdoor and an indoor setting.
