The human body is meant to move. However, modern ways of living and working can make it hard for our bodies to move throughout the day. We exercise after work and take walks on the weekends, but when we sit, we often just sit still. We have learned to be either in motion or to be still, not flow in between the two.
We believe that we can live better and more sustainable lives through everyday acts of movement. That small steps can have a big impact on how healthy we feel. So whether it’s for living or for work, we strive to create a more balanced way to sit – one that allows us to go back to our moving instincts.
We are Varier, a furniture company based in Oslo, Norway, and we are here to set you in motion.
Design approach
We design for the human body. This means that the movements our chairs invite for are the intuitive motions our bodies naturally want to follow. Our chairs encourage a variation of positions, as opposed to imposing a single perfect posture, because we know that there is no such thing. We believe that the next position is always the best. So whether it is chairs, tables or other objects in the home, our aim is to explore how furniture can invite us to keep on moving - even when we sit.
We’re also curious about the aesthetic expressions that arise when designing for movement. From our point of view, form follows function but function alone is never enough. We look to bring movement and dynamism into all our designs, even in the smallest of details like the curvature of wooden runners or the knitted fabric that perfectly aligns on a rounded corner. We wish to make objects that are out-of-the-ordinary, and at the same time, challenge established ideas of what a certain piece of furniture can look like.
Life at home is always in motion, and we need our furniture to make these daily transitions easier. Ultimately, we wish to invite people to move, and make it an essential part of their everyday life, even when they sit.
Variable™ and Variable™ Plus, both in natural lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
We always look for new ways of thinking which is why we invite designers and other creative talents to join our mission and collaborate with us. For us, collaboration is key in the creative process. Our fabric selection is curated by the Norwegian architecture and design firm, Snøhetta. We also work closely with the Danish innovation-driven textile company Kvadrat. Together, we have created a textile collection consisting of 45 carefully curated options. Our textiles range from active to calm colors and have been selected for their long durability and positive sustainable impact. Like everything else we do, these textiles pay homage to movement, materials, and the environment.
In the following pages, we’ll tell you more about the ideas behind our designs, and the many possible positions our chairs invite for.
We hope they amuse you and inspire you, to move.
Move™ in upholstery from Kvadrat. Design by Per Øie.
Variable™
Original kneeling chair Peter Opsvik, 1979
Variable™ in black lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Variable™ is an instantly recognizable design icon. First introduced at the Scandinavian Furniture Fair in Copenhagen in 1979, Variable™ was one of the first prototypes derived from the balans concept.
As its name suggests, the chair allows for variation between different positions. Its curved runners allow for gentle rocking motions while a tilted seat enables an open hip angle. The two cushions beneath the seat can be used to rest your shins, one foot, both or neither by placing your feet on the ground. You can also turn around or sit sideways if you so please. The chair is designed as an open construction, free of mechanical adjustment parts. It is lightweight and can easily be moved around. Variable™ is intended for use by standard height tables.
Variable™ is available in a natural or black finish and a wide range of upholstery fabrics and colors. The wooden components are made from layers of beech and ash veneer.
Variable™ in natural lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Variable™ in black lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
2019
The Monochrome Series is a colorful homage to commemorate 40 years of history and innovation of Variable™.
All the distinct features of the original Variable™ remain intact while an entirely new palette of bold and muted hues is introduced. The wooden runners are treated with a water-based lacquer of the same hue as the upholstery, accentuating the chair's iconic shape.
Variable™ Monochrome Peter Opsvik,
Variable™ in monochrome lacquer and upholstery. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Variable™ Plus
Original kneeling chair
Peter Opsvik, 2021
Variable™ Plus is an advancement of the iconic Variable™. Featuring a fixed backrest with an upholstered cushion, the chair inspires you to vary between a wider range of sitting positions, while still providing the unparalleled functionality of the original kneeling chair. The backrest provides support when leaning back, shift your weight forward and the shin cushions offer support while you focus on the task in front of you. The curvature of the wooden runners is optimized, ensuring that finding and holding a balanced position is both effortless and intuitive.
Variable™ Plus is suitable for use by any standard height table. The chair is available in a natural or black finish, and a wide range of upholstery fabrics and colors. The wooden parts are made from layers of beech and ash veneer.
Variable™ Plus in black lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Variable™ Plus in black lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Move™
Sit down, stand easy Per Øie, 1985
Move™ in black lacquered ash veneer. Design by Per Øie.
Move™ is the chair in the Varier collection which allows for the widest range of movement, enabling seamless transitions from sitting to near standing positions. You can use it as your primary work chair or as an addition to your traditional office chair for added variation as it’s perfect for any height adjustable desk.
The wooden base of Move™ is made from beech plywood covered with an ash top veneer. The surface is manually sanded and coated with a water-based lacquer available with a natural or black finish. The base has an integrated rubber disk, making Move™ suitable for use on all kinds of surfaces – from tiles to wooden or carpeted floors. The sculpted foam seat is available in a variety of upholstery options.
Move™ in black lacquered ash veneer. Design by Per Øie.
Move™ Compact
Sit down, stand easy Per Øie, 1985
Move Compact™ is a continuation of our classic sit-stand chair, Move™. What separates this model from its predecessor is its smaller seat and base and lower range seat height, making it even more lightweight and easier to move around. The chair is compatible with height-adjustable and regular desks alike and is optimal for the home office or any other place where you might want variation. The rubber fixture under the seat allows you to place the chair on the tip of your desk when you’re done for the day.
Similar to Move™, the Move™ Compact foam seat is available in a variety of upholstery options. The base is made from beech plywood covered with an ash top veneer. The surface is manually sanded and coated with a water-based lacquer available with a natural or black finish. The integrated rubber disk makes Move™ Compact suitable for use on all kinds of floor surfaces.
Move™ Compact in black lacquered ash veneer. Design by Per Øie.
Move™ Compact in black lacquered ash veneer. Design by Per Øie.
Gravity™
Weightless relaxation
Peter Opsvik, 1983
Gravity™ in black lacquered ash veneer.
Design by Peter Opsvik.
Gravity™ was designed with the intention to create a single chair that could accommodate both relaxation and productivity. Its four angles allow postures ranging from kneeling to fully reclined. You can use it as a kneeling chair when leaning forward and shift your weight slightly backwards for an upright position, placing your feet on either the floor or shin cushions for variation. To assume a reclined position, gently push away from the ground and lean all the way back until your legs are elevated above your heart. In this levitation-like position, the chair gently rocks in response to the rhythm of your breathing and allows you to relax into weightlessness. The space between the headrest and tilted backrest provides freedom of movement for the arms and shoulders. The headrest itself can be moved up or down to fit your needs.
Gravity™ is available in a natural or black finish and a wide range of upholstery fabrics and colors. The wooden runners are made from layers of beech and ash veneer.
Gravity™ in natural lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Gravity™ in natural lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Ekstrem™
Playful geometrics
Terje Ekstrøm, 1984
Ekstrem™ in Green Gentle 2.
Design by Terje Ekstrøm.
Ekstrem™ is not merely a chair, but a stand-alone object. It represents one of Norway’s first postmodern designs. Its unexpected geometrics allows you to sit forward with your feet on the ground, sideways with your legs draped over the armrests, or completely backward with the front of your torso against the chair’s back. A sitting experience that can only be described as out of the ordinary. Ekstrem™ consists of a steel frame covered in soft foam and is available in two upholstery options: Knit and Gentle 2.
Knit is a bespoke woolen upholstery textile by Devold. Made from one continuous thread, it provides an elasticity that is essential when fitted to the chair’s organic shape. Knit is soft and breathable and features a classic quadratic pattern.
Gentle 2 is a lush, knitted velvet upholstery textile by Kvadrat Febrik. The textile offers excellent stretchability and features a rich surface with an elegant shine. Ekstrem™ in Gentle 2 features visible seams which accentuate the chair’s distinct shape, adding to its strong character.
Ekstrem™ in Sulphur Knit.
Design by Terje Ekstrøm.
Ekstrem in Black Knit. Design by Terje Ekstrøm.
Thatsit™
Adjustable kneeling chair
Peter Opsvik, 1991
Thatsit™ in natural lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Thatsit™ is an evolution of the iconic Variable™. It is an ideal work chair for either the home or the office and is designed for seamless transitions between different positions. It features a wider seat, a backrest, adjustable in both height and depth, and adjustable shin rests. The wingback is a perfect spot to rest your elbows or turn around and lean your torso against it for variation. Thatsit™ provides back support when leaning back, and shin support when working at a table in front of you. The chair is adjustable, allowing you to find the setting that best supports you. Thatsit™ is intended for use by standard height tables.
Thatsit™ is available in a natural or black finish and a wide range of upholstery fabrics and colors. The wooden components are made from layers of beech and ash veneer.
Thatsit™ in natural lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Thatsit™ in natural lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Multi™
Compact with character
Peter Opsvik, 1991
Multi™ is a funky chair that pushes the boundaries of conventional furniture pieces. It offers a cool sitting alternative intended not only for the workspace, but anywhere you might want to take a seat without your back protesting.
Thanks to its wood knobs, the seat can be positioned at four different angles. When in the very highest position, Multi™ allows for a steep sitting posture which is almost as easy on the back as standing. The chair remains steady on the floor, while caps on the edge of the wooden base enables it to roll back and forth. Pull towards or push away from the tabletop when sitting down or getting up and Multi™ will follow. The chair is compact and can lie completely flat, making it easy to carry or store. Multi™ is intended for use by standard height tables.
Multi™ has a solid beech base with a natural finish and is available in a range of upholstery fabrics and colors.
Multi™ in a natural lacquered solid beech base. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Wing™
Movement and mobility
Peter Opsvik, 1984
Wing™ is a special exception within the Varier collection as it is the only kneeling chair with wheels. Wing™ is many things in one, it is a kneeling chair, it features a swivel base with wheels, it is height adjustable and can be used in any work space. In essence, it is versatility in the shape of a sitting device. The chair may be used at standard table heights and table tops up to 90 cm.
Wing™ is available in a black cross base and a wide range of upholstery fabrics and colors.
Wing™ in a black cross base.
Design by Peter Opsvik.
Actulum™
Versatile companion Peter Opsvik, 1995
Actulum™ in natural lacquered ash veneer.
Design by Peter Opsvik.
Actulum™ is an all-rounder that enables effortless movement in any situation where you might find yourself seated at a table. It is comfortable, versatile and suitable for individual workstations and conference and dining rooms alike. Tilt forward or lean back while the curved wooden runners create a pendulum movement responding to your body’s natural inclinations. The chair features a slim backrest with a flexible joint, which purpose is to accommodate the largest possible number of sitting positions.
Actulum™ is available in a natural or black finish and a wide range of upholstery fabrics and colors. The floor runner and armrest are built from a single piece of pressed plywood, made from layers of beech and ash veneer.
Actulum™ in natural lacquered ash veneer. Design by Peter Opsvik.
Actulum™ in black lacquered ash veneer.
Design by Peter Opsvik.
Social®
A dining chair and so much more Design by Snøhetta, 2023
Social® is a dynamic dining chair that brings fresh life to the table by allowing you to move intuitively in every situation. Designed by Snøhetta for Varier, Social® is intended for use in the ever-changing dining space where needs and usages shift throughout the day.
Social® is available in two product variants, Social® Tilt and Social® Turn, with each its own unique features and use cases. The chairs are designed to be mixed and matched to fit individual needs.
The chair is made from post-consumer recycled polypropylene reinforced with glass fiber and is available in six colorways - Onyx Black, Winter White, Cream, Blue, Green, and Red. Social® can be complemented with an upholstered seat cushion for added comfort.
Social® Design by Snøhetta.
Social® Tilt
Bend the Rules
Design by Snøhetta, 2023
With its uniquely curved base, Social® Tilt allows you to tilt gently forward for extra focus and lean back when you wish to relax or reflect. The multi-functional shell chair is perfect for those who also do work or other focus-related activities at the dining table or even outside.
Social® Tilt in Blue, Design by Snøhetta.
Social® Tilt in Green Design by Snøhetta.
Social® Turn
A Chair With a Twist
Design by Snøhetta, 2023
The
for those looking for a
and design aesthetics.
Social® Turn is a dining chair that brings you closer to those around you thanks to its unique swivel feature.
ideal choice
shell chair with premium comfort
Social® Turn in Green Design by Snøhetta.
Social® Turn in Onyx Black, Design by Snøhetta.
Kokon™
Classic comfort
Thomas Pedersen, 2013
Kokon™ with a chrome base.
Design by Thomas Pedersen.
Kokon™ has a modern spirit that is unlike other traditional recliners. It supports your body while incorporating a gentle tilting function in the base. Thanks to its intuitive design, Kokon™ can be locked into specific desired angles and is complemented with a footrest for deeper relaxation and comfort.
Kokon™ is available in a range of different upholstery fabrics and an aluminum cross base in either chrome or a matte black finish. You can choose between five different colors for the trio of stitches that adorn the back of Kokon™.
Kokon™, design by Thomas Pedersen.
Kokon™ with a chrome base.
Design by Thomas Pedersen.
Kokon™Club
Classic lounge
Thomas Pedersen, 2014
Kokon™ Club with a chrome base.
Design by Thomas Pedersen.
Kokon™ Club is elegant and comfortable, minimalistic and edgy. The chair features a 360-degree rotation and an integrated tilting function which allows it to seamlessly follow the body’s natural movements.
Kokon™ Club is available in a range of different upholstery fabrics and an aluminum cross base in either chrome or a matte black finish. You can choose between five different colors for the trio of stitches that adorn the back of Kokon™ Club.
Kokon™ Club, design by Thomas Pedersen.
Peel™
Dynamic comfort
Olav Eldøy, 2002
Peel™ is stylish and has a sculptural expression. Its organic shape gently envelops the body and invites it to succumb into relaxation. The chair has an advanced tilting mechanism and comes with a separate footrest which allows for a multitude of positions for your feet and legs, and a neck rest that can be adjusted in height and angle to best suit your needs. You can choose to have the opening of the chair facing left or right.
Peel™ has an aluminum base and is available in a range of different fabrics and colors. Its metal components are available in either chrome or a matte black finish.
Peel™ with a chrome base. Design by Olav Eldøy.
Peel™ with a chrome base. Design by Olav Eldøy.
Peel™Club
Organic lounge
Olav Eldøy, 2008
Peel™ Club with a chrome base. Design by Olav Eldøy.
Peel™ Club, upholstered in Sørensen leather. Design by Olav Eldøy.
Peel™ Club is the carefully simplified rendition of the Peel™. This new variation breaks away from the annexed elements of its predecessor, such as the head- and footrest, and only preserves the central core of the original piece. Peel™ Club takes the same spherical approach to its design to create an embracing feeling surrounding the body.
Peel™ Club is available in a range of different fabrics and colors. The aluminium base is available in chrome or a matte black finish.
Upholstery
The Varier fabric selection is curated by Norwegian architecture and design firm, Snøhetta. Our textiles are produced by the Danish company Kvadrat, a leader in contemporary textiles and our trusted partner since 2006.
The Varier textile collection consists of 45 carefully curated options, available in a range of versatile hues and qualities. For our leathers, we have partnered with Danish supplier Sørensen Leather to deliver both aniline and semi-aniline qualities in a selection of smooth, velvety, raw and grainy textures that come in a variety of elegant colors. All our fabrics and leathers have been tried and tested to ensure they complement the organic shapes characteristic of Varier chairs.
With our products, we look to be as gentle to the environment as we are to the body. This is why all our fabrics contain a majority of either recycled content or renewable natural resources.
Like everything else we do, these textiles pay homage to movement, weaving techniques and the environment.
Sustainability
Produced in China
Composition
Sustainability EU Ecolabel Greenguard Gold HPD, EPD
Produced in Norway
Nap
Composition
Sustainability EU Ecolabel Greenguard Gold HPD, EPD
Produced in United Kingdom
Composition
Sustainability EU Ecolabel Greenguard Gold HPD, EPD
Produced in Norway Composition
Produced in United Kingdom
Composition
Produced in United Kingdom
Composition
Sustainability
Melange
Vidar 4
Divina 3
Divina Melange 3
Hallingdal 65
Leather Special fabrics
Type Semi-aniline leather
Tannage Chrome
Origin European rawhide from Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia
Sustainability OEKO-TEX® certified
Tannage Chrome-free
Origin European rawhide from Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia
Sustainability Nordic Swan Ecolabel, EU Ecolabel
Composition 95% new wool worsted 5% nylon
Sustainability EU Ecolabel Greenguard Gold HPD, EPD
Produced in United Kingdom
Only available for Variable™ Monochrome
Composition 90% wool, 10% polyester
Sustainability OEKO-TEX® certified Produced in Lithuania
Only available for Ekstrem™
Gentle 2
Composition 60% new wool, 20% polyester, 20% nylon
Sustainability Greenguard Certification Produced in Holland
Varier Furniture will handle all quality issues to its products in accordance with current consumer laws and regulations in the current markets. In addition, Varier Furniture offers an extended warranty to customers who register their products in our Warranty Database. This can be done by accessing our website http://www.varierfurniture.com/ guarantee. Once registered, a Warranty Certificate will be issued and sent by e-mail. This Warranty Certificate must be submitted together with the original receipt (proof of purchase) if any quality issues are raised.
Registration gives the right to the following guarantee:
• 7 years warranty against fabrication faults on wooden parts.
• 5 years warranty against fabrication faults on mechanisms.
• If consumer rights under current local laws and regulations are more favorable for the customer than our extended warranty, these will apply.
Varier Furniture Extended Guarantee is based on the following conditions: Normal use, i.e., the product being used for the purpose it is designed and made for.
• The product only being used indoors under temperature-controlled and humidity-controlled conditions.
• The product being properly maintained as described in the maintenance guide. The Warranty Certificate must be submitted together with the original purchase receipt.
Varier Furniture Extended Guarantee does not cover:
Any condition normally expected due to: Normal wear of the material (color fading, wear and tear, etc.).
The natural character of the materials (minor stains and color differences in wood, leather, fabric, etc.).
Influences from external factors, such as sun or light, temperature, dampness, pollution or other external factors outside of Varier Furniture’s control.
Other damages not related to production (damages made during assembly, damage to floors, other furniture, etc.).
Under the Extended Guarantee Varier Furniture will:
Replace or repair the defective part or product.
Cover normal transportation costs for the replacement part or product from Varier to the retailer from whom the product was purchased.
Reserve the right to replace defective parts in colors that are available at the time of the quality issue.
Reserve the right to deliver a replacement product in instances where the product in question is no longer in production at the time of the quality issue. This product shall be of the same quality and value.
Process for making a quality issue under the Extended Warranty:
Any queries relating to the extended warranty shall normally be directed to the retailer from whom the product was purchased. The original purchase receipt and the received Warranty Certificate must be presented.
Queries should be raised as soon as possible after detection of the quality issue.
If a quality issue is raised under the Extended Warranty, the product must be shown to the retailer for inspection and photo documentation. If it is practically difficult to physically bring the product to the retailer, photos/videos that document the quality issue can be used as documentation.
If the retailer’s opinion is that the quality
issue will be covered under the Warranty from Varier, he/she must immediately send the case to Varier Furniture, together with all relevant documentation.
Varier Furniture will evaluate the received documentation and decide either repair or replacement of the product or any individual component.
Other conditions that might affect the Extended Warranty:
Lack of cleaning might seriously impact the lifetime of the furniture.
The cushions will change form following normal use and age, and the upholstery (both fabric and leather) will stretch as a result of normal use. This should not be confused with loss of elasticity attributable to a manufacturing defect. Folds and wrinkles may occur and are not grounds for raising a quality issue. Any cover that is made of a synthetic material (microfiber, etc.) will move against the surface of the cushion and by that generate static electricity. This may prevent the cover from reverting back to its original form after rising from the chair. This may be perceived as wrinkles or folds. However, these are temporary and can be removed by a single stroke of the hand and should not be misperceived as a quality issue.
