He is probably the designer I admire the most. In my eyes Race was the original upcycler. He was on the scene after the Second World War, and he was so resourceful and imaginative. There weren\u2019t many materials around after the war so he had to get creative. He used things like decommissioned aeroplanes and even surplus ammunition, melting them down and repurposing the components to create truly iconic furniture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You might also like<\/strong> 10 antiques you need to own according to experts<\/a><\/p>\n He might not be the most famous name, but all of the top designers know about him and respect his ethos. He made chairs, rockers, benches, tables and bookcases \u2013 you name it. And every single one is just, wow! He is known for producing chairs for the 1951 Festival of Britain \u2013 a celebration to lift British spirits after the war. He was in the same league as names like Robin and Lucienne Day, Peter Moro and Abram Games.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n His furniture is minimal and honest. You know exactly what each piece is and what it is made from \u2013 you can see the history in each of Race\u2019s designs. His forms are simple but classic \u2013 they\u2019re timeless. As I write, I\u2019m looking at one of the Antelope chairs that I\u2019ve reimagined \u2013 what I\u2019ve been able to create with his original frame is incredible.<\/p>\n \u2018I love all of Ernest Race\u2019s designs but the BA3 chair is my favourite. It\u2019s very simple, and it is typical of his resourceful spirit: launched in 1946, the originals were constructed of recast aluminium taken from redundant aircraft, and upholstered in surplus RAF fabric. The ultimate in \u2018make do and mend\u2019 and so stylish.\u2019 01451 821446;\u00a0racefurniture.com<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Get to know Jay Blades<\/a><\/p>\n How I got in to furniture restoration<\/a><\/p>\n My favourite small-scale artists<\/a><\/p>\nJay\u2019s Top Choice<\/h4>\n
![\""Ernest\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/19\/2019\/05\/er-ba3-front-angle-13LR-61e6793.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Ernest\\"\/")
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