Silver Furniture Design · 2026
Nimbus Lounge Chair
- A' Design Award 2026 Silver Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Simone Villéla Atelier
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 22,392
- Verification code 94A5F2EED6 · Verify this award
About Nimbus Lounge Chair
Nimbus is an armchair and ottoman set designed for residential interiors. The design is inspired by the lightness of clouds, combining soft upholstered volumes with a precise wooden structure. Arms and base are made of solid jacaranda wood, shaped with careful joinery for durability. High-density layered foam and elastic webbing provide ergonomic comfort. The ottoman is multifunctional and can serve as a footrest, an extra seat, or a compact side table when fitted with a removable wooden top. The set brings handcrafted detailing into scalable industrial production.
Within the evolving landscape of contemporary furniture design, SIMONE VILLÉLA's Nimbus Lounge Chair emerges as a thoughtful meditation on the relationship between structural necessity and sensory comfort. The design appears to engage with the rich heritage of Scandinavian modernism while articulating a distinctly personal vocabulary of form and material expression. The wooden framework demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of joinery traditions, where cylindrical members meet at precise angles to create a skeletal structure that reads as both architecturally rigorous and organically approachable. The choice of warm-toned hardwood, with its visible grain patterns and subtle chromatic variations, speaks to a design philosophy that honors material authenticity and the inherent beauty of natural substances. The upholstered elements seem conceived as distinct volumetric entities that nestle within rather than merely rest upon the wooden armature, suggesting a considered dialogue between hard and soft, between the structural and the comforting. The accompanying ottoman extends this formal language into a secondary object that completes the functional ensemble while maintaining visual independence. Particularly noteworthy appears to be the treatment of the armrest, which curves in a continuous arc that may reference both the ergonomic requirements of the human arm and the aesthetic traditions of craft furniture making. The rounded terminals of the wooden members suggest a hand-friendly approach to detail that invites touch and extended use. The Nimbus designation itself evokes associations of lightness and atmospheric softness, qualities that seem deliberately cultivated through the open frame construction and the pillow-like cushion forms. This work invites consideration of how furniture design might simultaneously address functional requirements, material constraints, aesthetic aspirations, and the deeper human need for objects that offer both physical support and psychological comfort within domestic environments.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Nimbus is a contemporary seating system inspired by the gentle lightness of clouds. Designed for modern living, it combines sculptural presence with ergonomic comfort and multifunctionality. The transformable ottoman serves both as a footrest and as a side table, offering adaptability and practicality. Nimbus balances emotional design with everyday use, creating a warm, iconic solution for contemporary interiors.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Nimbus is a contemporary armchair and ottoman system designed for residential interiors. Armchair dimensions: 760 mm height × 745 mm width × 765 mm depth, with a seat height of 455 mm. The round ottoman measures 370 mm height × 540 mm width × 540 mm depth. The rectangular ottoman version measures 485 mm height × 430 mm width × 615 mm depth. Materials include solid wood structure, upholstered foam seating, and an optional wooden tabletop surface. The ottoman is multifunctional, serving as footrest or compact support table.
- Tags
- Armchair design, Multifunctional ottoman, Contemporary furniture, Ergonomic seating, Sculptural form, Brazilian design, Wood craftsmanship, Soft upholstery, Modular comfort, Living room furniture
- Production Technology
- The Nimbus Armchair and Ottoman combine solid jacaranda wood craftsmanship with advanced upholstery techniques. Carefully shaped joinery ensures durability and visual lightness. High-density foam and elastic webbing provide ergonomic comfort, while all elements are designed for efficient manufacturing without losing refined artisanal detailing.
- Design Challenge
- The main challenge in developing Nimbus was achieving structural durability while preserving its soft, cloud-inspired volume. Research focused on ergonomic proportions, material resistance and foam performance under prolonged use. A layered seat system combining elastic webbing and differentiated foams was tested to balance weight support and comfort. The final structure ensures stability, longevity and visual lightness without compromising tactile softness.
- Project Duration
- The Nimbus Armchair and Ottoman were designed and developed between 2025 and 2026 in Vila Velha/ES, Brazil, at Simone Villéla Atelier. The collection was later executed in Bento Goncalves/ RS, Brazil in partnership with Voltoni, combining authorial design research with industrial craftsmanship. The project reflects a contemporary approach to comfort, sculptural form, and production-ready furniture for modern interiors.
- Operation Flow
- Nimbus is designed to create an intuitive comfort experience. The armchair provides a supportive, enveloping seat for relaxation, while the ottoman enhances interaction by adapting to different needs. It can be used as a footrest, an extra seat, or paired with a removable wooden top to become a compact side table. This flexibility allows Nimbus to support everyday living in a warm and effortless way.
- Research
- Nimbus was developed through research on emotional design, ergonomic seating, and multifunctional furniture for compact living. The process included sketch exploration, proportion studies, and material testing with wood and upholstery to achieve softness and structural clarity. User comfort, visual lightness, and adaptability were key outcomes, resulting in a refined seating system for contemporary interiors.
- Inspiration
- Nimbus was inspired by the idea of visual lightness translated into structural solidity. The design contrasts soft, enveloping volumes with a precise wooden base, creating balance between comfort and architectural clarity. It explores the dialogue between handcrafted expression and industrial feasibility, bringing artisanal warmth into scalable contemporary production.
- Image Credits
- Image Credits: Studio Moresco, Still Photography, Nimbus Armchair and Ottoman Set, 2026.
Graphic Design Credits: Ezequiele Panizzi, Graphic Art and Layout, 2025.
Video Credits: Simone Villéla Atelier, Direction and Editing, 2026.