Furniture designer Maarten Baas doesn't subscribe to conformist notions of beauty and symmetry. He finds appeal in the character of aged patinas and wear from usage. As such, Baas doesn't seek to create furniture or decorative objects that are perfectly proportioned — for proof, look no further than to the unconventional cabinets of his Close Parity collection or the chairs with oddly shaped backrests he designed for Lensvelt.
Baas breaks unspoken rules, and his influential work is as much art as it is functional design — he’s garnered support from likeminded creatives in his field such as Phillippe Starck and Marcel Wanders, and explores how he might put unusual materials to work such as clay or charred wood in the construction of his chairs and table lamps.
Baas was born in Germany and grew up in the Netherlands. After graduating high school, he began his studies at the Design Academy in Eindhoven. Before he had even graduated, Baas made an impression on instructors and students alike with his graduation project.
Using pieces of secondhand furniture he had procured online — some of which was manufactured by IKEA — Baas scorched the wood all the way through with a blowtorch. He soon found a way to preserve the wood once it was burned through, and this led to his inaugural Smoke series. The chairs and a lighting fixture from this line were put into production by Moooi, a furniture brand Wanders cofounded with Revised’s Casper Vissers in 2001. Hospitality guru Ian Schrager got in touch, and a pool table from the collection was custom-made by Baas for the Gramercy Park Hotel.
Since Smoke, Baas has produced numerous pieces, with his best-known efforts involving the repurposing of existing furniture and modifying it to look the way he wants. Ever the innovator, Baas introduced a series of clock designs as part of an art installation that began to take shape in 2009 at the Salone Del Mobile in Milan.
The designer’s clocks see an incorporation of video and other technology. Each piece, such as the ten-foot tall model installed at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in 2016, presents the illusion of human figures toiling to keep time behind its face by way of a 12-hour recorded performance.
Baas’s works are held in the collections of many notable museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Moooi Smoke Dining Chair in Abbracci, Black Upholstery with Burnt Wood Frame
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Don't burn the diner — burn the dining chair! The beauty and character of burned wood is now captured in a long lasting material, creating the strange sensation of sitting on burnt furniture...
Upholstery
Moooi Smoke Dining Armchair in Abbracci, Black Upholstery with Burnt Wood Frame
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Don't burn the diner — burn the dining chair! The beauty and character of burned wood is now captured in a long lasting material, creating the strange sensation of sitting on burnt furniture...
Upholstery
Pair of Smoke armchairs by Maarten Baas for Moooi, 2000s.
By Maarten Baas
Located in Renens, CH
Smoke is an armchair created by Maarten Baas for Moooi. This armchair takes us back to the time of Louis XIV. This magnificent armchair is upholstered in black leather. Each piece is...
Leather, Wood
Maarten Baas Signed Limited Edition Arne Jacobsen Series 7 Chair
By Arne Jacobsen, Maarten Baas
Located in Dronten, NL
Limited Edition made in 2009 of the iconic Arne Jacobsen series 7 chair. To pay tribute to this design, Fritz Hansen choose 7 designers from the young generation to pick out their fa...
Steel, Chrome
Moooi SLT Chaise Longue Right in Denim Indigo Upholstery with Steel Frame
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The something like this sofa is a celebration of the designer's love for sketchy drawings translated into a soft unusually modelled sofa. Additional information: Material: Wood a...
Upholstery
$6,260 / item
Contemporary Clay Dining Chair by Maarten Baas
By Maarten Baas
Located in Warsaw, PL
These vibrant chairs are from Maarten Baas’s iconic ‘Clay’ collection launched in 2006. The idiosyncratic childishness of this collection is created through Baas’s individual hand mo...
Metal
$4,930 / item
Classic Clay Dining Chair Black by Maarten Baas
By Maarten Baas
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The spontaneous and naïve designs of Maarten Baas’ Clay series express artistic vulnerability. Each piece is handmade of industrial clay, covering a steel fr...
Clay
Moooi SLT Chaise Longue Left in Divina Melange 3, 620 Upholstery and Steel Frame
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Something Like This sofa is a celebration of the designer's love for sketchy drawings translated into a soft unusually modelled sofa. Additional information: Material: Wood a...
Upholstery
Moooi Smoke Chair '2004' by Maarten Baas, Dutch Design, Post-Modern
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Manufactured by Moooi in 2003-2004, Maarten Baas’ series of Smoke Chairs are made of expensive leather in a burnt wood frame — a truly original and unique ...
Leather, Wood
$4,683 / item
Contemporary Plain Clay Dining Chair by Maarten Baas
By Maarten Baas
Located in Warsaw, PL
This Dining Chair comes from Maarten Baas’s Plain Clay collection. This collection was originally developed for the Mendini restaurant in the Groninger Museum. Unlike the Clay Ser...
Metal
$7,220 / item
Maarten Baas 'Clay' Piano Stool for BAAS
By Maarten Baas
Located in Tilburg, NL
Maarten Baas 'Clay' Piano Stool, Classic Clay Collection, New - Current Production, The Netherlands. The spontaneous and naïve designs of Maarten Baas’ Clay series express artistic...
Metal
$5,413 / item
Contemporary Plain Clay Bar Stool by Maarten Baas
By Maarten Baas
Located in Warsaw, PL
This bar stool comes from Maarten Baas’s Plain Clay collection. This collection was originally developed for the Mendini restaurant in the Groninger Museum. Unlike the Clay Series...
Metal
2022 Maarten Baas for Moooi SLT Chaise Lounge Right Side S2 in Indigo Denim
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a SLT Chaise Lounge made with a wood and steel frame and indigo denim fabric. The chaise lounge was designed by Marcel Wanders and produced by Moooi in the Nether...
Steel
$19,436 / item
Contemporary Clay Low Rocking Chair by Maarten Baas
By Maarten Baas
Located in Warsaw, PL
These vibrant Rocking chairs are from Maarten Baas’s iconic ‘Clay’ collection launched in 2006. The idiosyncratic childishness of this collection is created through Baas’s individual...
Metal
Monumental Acquisition: 11 x Maarten Baas "101" Chairs – Custom Camira Main Line
By Maarten Baas
Located in Dronten, NL
One of the largest available sets of Maarten Baas’ iconic “101” chairs on the market. A complete dining or conference collection, upholstered in premium Camira Main Line Flex wool. ...
Steel
Moooi SLT Footstool in Bearded Leopard Jacquard Mustard Upholstery & Wood Frame
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Something Like This sofa is a celebration of the designer's love for sketchy drawings translated into a soft unusually modelled sofa. Additional information: Material: Wooden...
Upholstery
$16,349Sale Price|20% Off
Maarten Baas Where there is smoke chair, dutch design
By Maarten Baas
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Since graduating from Design Academy Eindhoven with his “Smoke” series, Maarten Baas has pushed the boundaries of art, design and aesthetics. “Smoke” is an investigation into beauty ...
Wood
Moooi SLT Chaise Longue Left in Solis, Paper Upholstery with Wood & Steel Frame
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The something like this sofa is a celebration of the designer's love for sketchy drawings translated into a soft unusually modelled sofa. Additional information: Material: Wood a...
Upholstery
Moooi SLT Chaise Longue Left in Divina Md, 193 Upholstery with Steel Frame
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Something Like This Sofa is a celebration of the designer's love for sketchy drawings translated into a soft unusually modelled sofa. Additional information: Material: Wood and steel frame construction, foam Upholstery: Divina MD...
Upholstery
$10,816 / item
Contemporary Clay Bench by Maarten Baas
By Maarten Baas
Located in Warsaw, PL
These vibrant Benches are from Maarten Baas’s iconic ‘Clay’ collection launched in 2006. The idiosyncratic childishness of this collection is created through Baas’s individual hand m...
Metal
$4,671 / item
Smoke Chairs by Maarten Baas for Moooi, 2000s
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Renens, CH
Maarten Baas (the Netherlands) designed the Smoke series furniture for his 2002 graduation project at the Design Academy Eindhoven. Baas is considered one of the most influential Dut...
Leather, Wood
Smoke Armchair by Maarten Baas for Moooi, 2000s
By Maarten Baas
Located in Renens, CH
Maarten Baas (the Netherlands) designed the Smoke series furniture for his 2002 graduation project at the Design Academy Eindhoven. Baas is considered one of the most influential Dut...
Leather, Wood
2022 Maarten Baas for Moooi SLT Double Love Seat Sofa Element S3 in Indigo Denim
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a SLT Double Seat Sofa made with a wood and steel frame and indigo denim fabric. The sofa was designed by Marcel Wanders and produced by Moooi in the Netherlands....
Steel
$9,926 / set
Smoke Armchairs by Maarten Baas for Moooi, 2000s
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Renens, CH
Maarten Baas (the Netherlands) designed the Smoke series furniture for his 2002 graduation project at the Design Academy Eindhoven. Baas is considered one of the most influential Dut...
Leather, Wood
Moooi SLT Chaise Longue Left in Divina 3, 623 Upholstery with Steel Frame
By Maarten Baas, Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Something Like This sofa is a celebration of the designer's love for sketchy drawings translated into a soft unusually modelled sofa. Additional information: Material: Wood a...
Upholstery
$15,903 / item
Contemporary Clay Low Seater, Armchair by Maarten Baas
By Maarten Baas
Located in Warsaw, PL
These vibrant Low Seaters are from Maarten Baas’s iconic ‘Clay’ collection launched in 2006. The idiosyncratic childishness of this collection is created thro...
Metal
Contemporary Plain Clay Dining Chair with Arm by Maarten Baas
By Maarten Baas
Located in Warsaw, PL
This Dining Chair comes from Maarten Baas’s Plain Clay collection. This collection was originally developed for the Mendini restaurant in the Groninger Museum. Unlike the Clay Ser...
Metal
$3,459 / item
H 26.38 in W 70.87 in D 33.86 in
"Flag" Couch and Chaise Longue in Natural Linen and Wood Feet, Small Size
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
The Flag Couch is a smart and multifunctional piece. The couch has a cushion built into the seat that makes the piece with dual functionality: when is close...
Fabric, Hardwood
$1,471Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 35.04 in W 23.23 in D 26.38 in
Contemporary black lacquered brass COM Arches dining chair by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Chair Design at the International Design & Architecture Awards 2021 Honorable Mention at the European Product Design Awards 2021 The Arches dining chair...
Brass
$3,450 / set
H 31.89 in W 22.64 in D 19.69 in
Ton Set of Six Armchairs in Bentwood with Red Upholstery
By TON a.s.
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ton, set of six armchairs, fabric, bentwood beech, Czech Republic, 1960s This elegant set of dining chairs, manufactured by Ton, features a wonderful bentwood frame. The round shape...
Fabric, Beech
Arne Jacobsen Oxford Chairs
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of 4 Arne Jacobsen Oxford chairs model #7403 manufactured by Fritz Hansen in 1965. A great set of chairs in their original vegetable d...
Aluminum, Steel
Forged Steel Chaise Longue
Located in Chireno, TX
Forged steel chaise longue, adorned in brass detail. Sold with newly-made tie-on upholstered cushion in antique hand-loomed French thistle and natural canvas. All...
Brass, Steel
$560 / item
H 30.32 in W 16.54 in D 17.33 in
1960s Danish Arne Jacobsen T-Chair / Hammer Chair by Fritz Hansen
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish vintage, Arne Jacobsen model 3103 named "T chair" / "Hammer chair" due to the shape. The chairs are from an early production of the chairs in t...
Stainless Steel
$4,370 / item
H 33.08 in W 23.63 in D 10.1 in
Invicta II Dining Chair: Modern Fabric Upholstery with Brass Legs
Located in Frazão, Porto
The INVICTA II dining chair has an exclusive and impressive design, with just one leg in the back, it brings sophistication to all dining room....
Brass, Stainless Steel, Iron
$1,275 / item
H 34.26 in W 18.12 in D 20.87 in
Contemporary stained beech wood COM Silhouette dining chair by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Silhouette is a surreal reminiscence of a woman’s sensual curves that arise designed in an eye-catching dining chair. The joint dimension of people and objects represented by severa...
Fabric, Wood, Beech
$1,850
H 32 in W 19 in D 20 in
Contemporary Wood Dining Chair by Costantini, Palermo Hollywood, In Stock
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Palermo Hollywood Chair in fabric. Measurements are 19" W x 20" D x 32" H x 19" SH Available as shown for immediate delivery or order in any solid wood or finish. Other mater...
Wood
Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Chaise Longue
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A superb quality 19th century regency period Mahogany chaise longue of rare design having Elegant carved decoration which includes eagles Head to back and scrolling end raised on unu...
Mahogany
Salvino Marsura 'Cuore' armchair - Treviso Italy, 2000s
By Salvino Marsura
Located in London, GB
The Cuore armchair is defined by two sinuous vines that curve into a heart-shaped backrest. Its recently reupholstered velvet seat lends a complementary softness to the tender iron f...
Wrought Iron
$4,600Sale Price / set|23% Off
H 31 in W 18.25 in D 19.5 in
Arne Jacobsen 'Series-7' Jacaranda Rosewood Stacking Chairs, 1960s, Signed
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptional set of 1960s Jacaranda rosewood 'Series-7' stacking chairs by Arne Jacobsen represents a rare and compelling chapter of Brazilian modernist history, blending Scandin...
Metal
Sold
H 55.12 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Maarten Baas Black Leather and Charred Wood Smoke Armchair by Moooi
By Maarten Baas
Located in Glasgow, GB
The 'Smoke' armchair, designed by Maarten Baas for Moooi to a French Rococo design. The chair is made from burnt solid wood coated with epoxy resin and upholstered in black leather.
Leather, Epoxy Resin
Sold
H 40.95 in W 29.53 in D 31.5 in
Moooi Smoke Armchair in Shade Pitch Black Upholstery by Maarten Baas
By Moooi, Maarten Baas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Furniture finished with fire. The beauty and character of burned wood is now captured in a long lasting material, creating the strange sensation of sitting on burnt furniture Maarten Baas interpreted his fascination for the element fire with a groundbreaking approach. Capturing the burning flames into the solidity of wood. Each chair is unique due to this exceptional production process. Just like the Phoenix, the Smoke objects are reborn from their ashes, gaining new vitality and beauty in a very unusual way. Additional information: Material: Burnt wood finished with epoxy resin, fire retardant foam, leather upholstery Upholstery: Shade pitch black...
Upholstery
Established & Sons Standard Unique Dining Chair in Black Grey
By Maarten Baas, Established & Sons
Located in Vancouver, BC
This simple wooden chair by Maarten Baas is an exercise in marrying the character of individual, hand produced designs with the processes of mass-production. Each standard unique cha...
Maarten Baas Smoke Child Chair
By Maarten Baas
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Maarten Baas smoke child chair. Famous burned furniture works. This is one of items shown at Moss NY in 2004.
Wood
'Smoke' Dining Chairs by Maarten Baas for Moooi
By Maarten Baas
Located in London, GB
A set of five 'Smoke' dining chairs, designed by Maarten Baas for Moooi to a French Rococo design, made from burnt solid wood with epoxy resin and leather upholstery. Seat height 51c...
'Smoke' Dining Chairs by Maarten Baas for Moooi
By Maarten Baas
Located in London, GB
A set of five 'Smoke' dining chairs, designed by Maarten Baas for Moooi to a French Rococo design, made from burnt solid wood with epoxy resin and leather upholstery. Seat height 51c...
Maarten Baas 'Smoke' Dining Chair for Moooi
By Maarten Baas
Located in London, GB
Three 'Smoke' dining chairs, designed by Maarten Baas for Moooi. Each chair is unique, made from burnt solid wood, finished with epoxy resin, with leather upholstery. Dimensions: ...
Maarten Bass Unique Chair
By Claudy Jongstra, Maarten Baas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maarten baas unique chair, from the "where there's Smoke" series 2005 Mackintosh chair felt cushion by Claudy Jongstra.