Inga Sempé's Beau Fixe seating is clamped into shape
Cologne 2015: black metal frames clamp folded cushions into shape to form seats in this collection by French designer Inga Sempé (+ slideshow).
![Beau Fixe by Inga Sempe for Ligne Roset](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Beau-Fixe-by-Inga-Sempe-for-Ligne-Roset_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
Inga Sempé's Beau Fixe range for French furniture brand Ligne Roset includes a two-seater sofa, an armchair and a footstool.
A single large upholstered cushion is folded and tucked to form rectangular panels for the seat, arms and back of each chair.
![Beau Fixe by Inga Sempe for Ligne Roset](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Beau-Fixe-by-Inga-Sempe-for-Ligne-Roset_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
Its shape is fixed in place by the metal stand, which forms four legs and extends up the back.
"The structure functions like a giant clamp which holds the one-piece quilt in the jaws formed from the main uprights," said Sempé, who has also created a sofa for the brand by draping a quilted cover over a wooden frame.
![Beau Fixe by Inga Sempe for Ligne Roset](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Beau-Fixe-by-Inga-Sempe-for-Ligne-Roset_b_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
Extra fabric is doubled over at the tops to create a simple detail around the edges. The footstool uses the same technique as the larger chairs, with two ends tucked under the legs brackets on either side.
![Beau Fixe by Inga Sempe for Ligne Roset](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Beau-Fixe-by-Inga-Sempe-for-Ligne-Roset_b_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
While many seating designs aim to hide the frame, the designer wanted to offer a glimpse of the construction in each piece.
"Of the structure one sees only a trace of matt black metal, which sinks into a soft, puffy mattress divided into symmetrical rectangular bulges, like a spoon in Italian meringue," Sempé said.
![Beau Fixe by Inga Sempe for Ligne Roset](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Beau-Fixe-by-Inga-Sempe-for-Ligne-Roset_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
Sempé began the collection by designing the armchair, based on fond childhood memories of seats from a seaside visit.
"As a child, we had two armchairs at the seaside, massive like elephants sitting on their hindquarters, the front legs of which formed the armrests and 'ears'," she said.
![Beau Fixe by Inga Sempe for Ligne Roset](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Beau-Fixe-by-Inga-Sempe-for-Ligne-Roset_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
"Redesigning such an armchair is a difficult undertaking: I had to work with this typology without nostalgia, seeing past its common association with convalescents or the retired."
The sofa and footstool followed later, forming a range that launched yesterday at the imm Cologne trade fair and will be presented at Maison&Objet in Paris from Friday.
![Beau Fixe by Inga Sempe for Ligne Roset](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Beau-Fixe-by-Inga-Sempe-for-Ligne-Roset_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
Sempé has also designed a fabric to be used to upholster the seat cushions, which is due to launch in April.