Readers of “I on Design” already know that I am mad about Jimmie Martin, the couture London-based company whose furniture is about as cutting edge as it gets these days. (I mean, who else produces a gold-leafed classic bed decorated in a motif of super-sized barbed wire?) The two young Swedes who run the firm (they are named Jimmie and Martin) combine a punk-rock/Goth vibe with traditional forms and contemporary color-mad graphics and graffiti. Or, in their own words, they combine “the decadent and quirky with the nostalgic and urban.” And here they are now in all their young and trendy glory:

Their latest piece of genius is “Stars and Stripes.” a fantasy on the English men’s club wing chair, shown in black and gold. But, like all Jimmie Martin pieces, it’s made to order and hand-finished, making every object unique.

Jimmie Martin has been plastering post-Warhol versions of the Union Jack on their furniture since they opened their Kensington shop in 2004, but this is their first shot at Old Glory. So it seems—in the Interest of international relations—only right to dedicate this week’s “I on Design” to some of my favorite Jimmie Martin pieces. The prices reflect the one-off nature of the beast (the “Stars and Stripes” chair, for example, costs about $3,500 as shown), but this furniture clearly has art at heart and is a great investment—OBO (One Blogger’s Opinion).

Some of Jimmie Martin’s furniture is quite refined and pretty, adorned with birds, flowers, favorite dog breeds and other traditional decoration, like these French bergères.

Of course, throw some Jimmie Martin savvy cheek at it, and the same chair can look like this:

Too far out? No, way, Josephina. It’s sold.

Jimmie Martin makes incredible cabinets, tables, chests and armoires, too. I would buy this ‘60s-inspired stenciled, gilt sideboard in a split New York minute. 

Or would I go with the “Imperfection” sideboard, which is festooned with a particular graffito that is practically a Jimmie Martin trademark—as is that unexpected hot shot of color on the inside. 

Needless to say, as fans of my dachshund blog will appreciate, I am particularly fond of this “Dutch Dog” cabinet.

And this “wallpaper,” which is really a made-to-measure wall mural featuring an image of JM’s own furniture (and obviating the need for a headboard—you just push your mattress up to the wall). 

One of my favorite pieces (which I notice is currently on sale!) is this “Stripy” desk (no snoozing over the work load in this home office). 

I’m also very fond of the silvery “Crucifix” Bombay chest (the boys love their metallic finishes and their religious—or is it sacreligious?—symbols). 

And what could be more seasonal (if you celebrate Halloween or the Day of the Dead) than this extraordinary item, a collaboration of Jimmie Martin with jeweler Hannah Martin, who specializes in taxidermy with real gold accents. Now, I can’t tell you if that featured creature with the precious-metallic bill is a crow or a raven from the Tower of London or just a garden variety blackbird, but I like to think of this piece of poetry as the Edgar Allan Poe chair. And if I could, I surely would!!

The Jimmie Martin showroom is at 77 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4BG U.K. The phone number is 011-44 (0)20 7938 1852. It’s open M-F 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday noon to 4. For more spectacular images, go to JimmieMartin.co.uk.

Michael Lassell,
Features Director, Metropolitan Home