An original 1960s storage stool or ottoman by British furniture maker Uniflex, retaining its wonderfully graphic “29 Range – Series II” label.
The design is defined by its simple teak-veneered case and contrasting white vinyl upholstered seat, with two covered buttons and piped edging. The gently angled sides give what is essentially a very practical piece of furniture an unexpectedly sharp, almost Space Age profile.
Set on castors, the piece reflects a broader shift in 1960s design towards mobility, adaptability and less formal ways of living. It was a period in which designers and architects increasingly questioned the idea of the interior as a fixed arrangement: at one extreme Archigram proposed mobile architecture and constantly changing environments; in everyday furniture the same appetite for flexibility appeared in modular, multipurpose and easily moved pieces such as this.
The upholstered seat lifts to reveal a generous storage compartment, making it useful as a footstool, occasional seat or bedroom storage piece.
There is something particularly appealing about the combination of warm timber and white upholstery — distinctly of its period, with just a hint of the futuristic optimism of late-1960s interiors.
Condition
Presented in very good original condition. The timber has been gently cleaned and conserved in our studio workshop, retaining the original finish and signs of age. The white upholstery is also original and shows some light wear consistent with its age.
Why it works
Compact, mobile and genuinely useful, this is a particularly characterful piece of British 1960s modernism. Its castors, hidden storage and bold contrast of teak and white upholstery capture a period when domestic furniture was becoming less formal and considerably more fun.
Dimensions:
H: 43cm L: 87cm D:42cm
Maker: Uniflex
Range: 29 Range, Series 1
Date: c.1960s
Origin: Britain
Compact, mobile and slightly Space Age — a small piece of furniture that says rather a lot about the changing 1960s home.
