Leaning into nature, ‘Livingstones’ by Smarin abstracts pebbles as a seating system

The renowned seating system Livingstones was created by the French design studio Smarin. The furniture design came to life in 2003 when the France-based design studio created seats and pillows with large, organic shapes that resemble pebbles. Since then, they have developed into a statement collection, showing up in galleries and public as well as private spaces all over the world. Livingstones are encased in felted jerseys made of virgin wool with no application of artificial dyes or finishes. Due to their single-material construction, these objects are readily recyclable, aligning with the studio's sustainable design approach.

In 2023, Smarin celebrated the 20th anniversary of Livingstones by launching a limited edition series in collaboration with the textile brand Kvadrat. The new collection was launched wrapped in Arda by Kvadrat, a knitted upholstery textile which recreates complex natural forms, structures, surfaces, and colours found deep in the wild. “The tapestry-like expression of Arda changes to reflect the environment where it is situated. In this way, like the fluid experience of nature, the textile reveals surprising nuances and characteristics as its surroundings or conditions change. Arda is crafted to minimise impact on the natural environments that it mimics. It is primarily constructed from natural woollen yarn–a renewable resource–using an innovative manufacturing process. A technique that, compared to conventional methods, reduces water consumption by between 80 to 95 per cent,” the textile company shares.

The purpose of the large-scale sofa design was to upend people's preconceived notions about interior design conventions. The enduring nature of archetypes and the potential for subconscious representations to surface in visions are the foundations of its strength. Livingstones become landscapes, in private and public spaces, and stand for the concepts of tranquillity and patience. They are available in a variety of shapes and densities, which enable the development of an infinite number of installations. “Their scale and combination possibilities are the result of Smarin's research into sustainability, health, ergonomics and informal postures, with a particular emphasis on the deconstruction of hierarchical spaces. In this way, they stand as a reference to design practices dealing with the deconstruction of norms and conventions of living spaces,” reads the studio’s official website.

Livingstones have appeared in notable museum and institutional exhibitions all throughout the world, as well as in public spaces, over the years. They are located at the Cirque du Soleil headquarters in Montreal, the Centre Pompidou and the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the Geneva Ethnography Museum, the Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection in Paris and the FRAC Dunkerque 2020, France. For 15 years they have been the scenographic landscape of the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs at the Cannes Film Festival. Luxury brands like Chanel, Dior, Chopard, Lalique, and Louis Vuitton have chosen them for their retail store designs owing to their dramatic scenery. They are also placed in hotels and airports around the world.