Simon James returns with a collection that speaks in quiet confidence. Four new pieces, the Portrait Lounge Chair, Sur Sofa, Block Chair and Block Stool continue his exploration of form, proportion and material clarity.

Each design is grounded in architectural reference, yet softened by detail. Together, they form a cohesive language of sculptural restraint.

Portrait Lounge Chair

A study in balance. The Portrait Lounge Chair draws from Brutalist architecture, with squared arms and an arched back that cantilever over a timber base. Its proportions are generous but measured, offering presence without excess. Designed for both residential and commercial spaces, it holds its own.

Sur Sofa

Sur is modular, but not modular as usual. Its curved forms rest on a shared plinth that appears to hover just above the floor. The system is generous in scale, with multi-density foam and feather fill for comfort. Configurations are flexible, but the design language remains consistent. Grounded, refined and quietly expressive.

Block Chair and Stool

The Block collection is a return to essentials. A squared timber frame is punctuated by bold junction detailing, giving each piece its own character.

Tim: What is the thread that connects every product Hem creates?

Petrus: I think it’s the unexpected. That’s why we’re in this in the first place. We’re always looking for something that gets us excited, something as far away from the mundane as possible. Something surprising. We wanted to create a place for a new generation of designers.

Tim: When you started Hem, what was the original idea behind the brand?

Petrus: I’ve been in this industry my entire working life. As a designer, I worked with some of the best design companies in the world, from Cappellini and De Padova to IKEA. I love this industry. But design is old. Many of the companies, designers, and products I admired came from another era. There was a new generation with incredible energy, but they didn’t really have a commercial platform. When I started Hem, I wanted to create a place for them, a brand that respected the history, craft, and culture of design, but also challenged it and introduced something new.

Tim: Do you see Hem as a generational design company?

Petrus: 100%. Culture is created by people who grow up together, look at the world around them, and decide how they want to contribute to it. Every generation breaks with the one before it. A lot of the designers we partnered with early on were aware of the design landscape they came from, but they wanted to do something different. Max Lamb showed us that you don’t have to be conformist. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing.