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Right at home – indoors and outdoors

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What began in 2011 as a small business in Lemgo, north-western Germany, has quickly become an established name among European manufacturers of high-end designer furniture. Freifrau Manufaktur is known for comfortable seating furniture, crafted with great attention to detail and high quality and sustainability standards. No chair stands alone in the company’s catalogue. “When we brief our designers, we stress that a design for Freifrau must have the potential to have brothers and sisters to help us offer a fuller portfolio,” explains Hansjörg Helweg, founder of the Freifrau brand. No wonder, then, that outdoor versions of some of the pieces are now also available.

Elegant outdoor setting with a long wooden table, pink cushioned chairs, and decorative vases in front of a pink building with large windows and greenery.

The outdoor chairs and armchairs in the Leyasol collection are inspired by the Leya design, boasting a seat shell upholstered with soft cushions that appears to float effortlessly atop a graceful wire frame. © Freifrau Manufaktur

Focus on customisation

In 2011, when Helweg decided that he wanted to strike out on his own, the trained cabinetmaker had a vision in mind, leading him to found Freifrau, a seating furniture brand that stood out from the crowd right from the start. The individuality and customisability of Freifrau Manufaktur’s products stems from the company’s close relationship with its customers. Each piece of seating furniture is designed in collaboration before the plans are passed on to the workshop and the production team. From exclusive fabrics and high-quality leathers in every colour imaginable to frames made of natural solid timber or steel frames that can be coated in any RAL colour, the possibilities are almost limitless.

Freifrau furniture is sensual, stylish and elegant, often feminine. That’s why the individual collections have women’s names, giving them a personality of their own. Amelie was the first Freifrau chair to emerge from the workshop; and it remains an integral part of the collection to this day. Added to the range over time, the various frames for the chairs, armchairs and stools in the Amelie family – from rockers, cantilever legs and round pedestal bases to wooden cross-shaped designs – all also fit the second Freifrau collection, charmingly named Leya. This smart idea isn’t just great for sustainability, it also reflects important aspects of the company’s DNA: its passion for mixing and matching and for offering a wealth of options for each Freifrau family – with the frame variants complemented by a wide range of high-quality textiles and characterful leathers to choose from for each individual product.

Bright living and dining area with a modern wooden table, black chairs with blue cushions, and a cozy lounge corner with gray armchairs on a rug.

The launch of the Leya range and its evolution into an extensive collection of chairs, armchairs, benches, bar stools, rocking chairs and swing seats can undoubtedly be seen as a milestone, if not a breakthrough, for the company. © Freifrau Manufaktur

Leya – tough on the outside, soft on the inside

Leya brings together contrasting elements beautifully. With its tightly upholstered shell, the chair, designed by Birgit Hoffmann and Christoph Kahleyss, exhibits a sleek and robust exterior. The moment you take a seat, however, a sense of comfort and care embraces you. Beneath the outer upholstery lies a plush cushion, delivering an experience that has an almost sensual quality.

The Leya model has been joined by numerous siblings in recent years. The collection now includes an armchair with high and low armrests, a lounge chair, a bench, a lounge couch, stools in various styles and the Leya Lounge Swing Seat. The swing has been designed to offer delightful sensations of weightlessness in the comfort of one’s home. Suspended from the ceiling by two sturdy black ropes, the lounge chair transports its occupants to a state of almost childlike joy as they gently sway back and forth. What’s more, it offers this enchanting experience without compromising on the seating comfort that is Leya’s hallmark.

Cozy reading corner with a teal armchair, floral hanging swing, bookshelves, and round side tables on a circular rug.

The highly versatile Leya family has served as inspiration for subsequent Freifrau creations. © Freifrau Manufaktur

Leyasol – the sun-loving member of the Leya family

Leyasol invites you to step outside to relax and recharge. Drawing on the style of the Leya family, the Leyasol collection is designed for the outdoors. A graceful, weather-resistant wire frame mirrors the feminine lines of the shell, maintaining its shape. Customers can opt for removable cushions made from materials specifically designed for use indoors or outdoors.

Cozy garden seating with a white rocking chair, matching hanging swing, and two small wooden tables with wine and berries.

Conceived by the design duo of Birgit Hoffmann and Christoph Kahleyss, the Leya line has established itself as a contemporary classic. The successful range has now welcomed a sibling, Leyasol. © Freifrau Manufaktur

Without cushions, each Leyasol piece resembles both a work of art and a striking metallic structure. The outdoor range now also features the Leyasol Lounge Couch Swing Seat, adding to the diverse selection of seating furniture on offer. By launching its garden swing seat, Freifrau is once again setting the benchmark for stylish outdoor living. The distinctive steel wire frame is available in an array of finishes that includes everything from bronze to brass, plus the RAL Classic colours. Comfortably accommodating up to three people, the swing seat is perfect for hours of lively conversation or cloud-gazing under an open sky.

Pink outdoor hanging sofa with two cushions, suspended between two white columns, surrounded by lush tropical greenery.

With the introduction of the new Hollywood swing, Leyasol Lounge Couch Swing Seat, Freifrau is making another statement for stylish outdoor living. © Freifrau Manufaktur