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Oct 30, 2023

Mondos: A Bold, Surf

If an afternoon spent on a southern California beach took the form of furniture, the Mondos Outdoor Collection would be it. To make it come to life, two California-based brands – Laun and Chet

If an afternoon spent on a southern California beach took the form of furniture, the Mondos Outdoor Collection would be it. To make it come to life, two California-based brands – Laun and Chet Architecture – collaborated on the six-piece furniture family. Inspiration was found at the legendary Mondos Beach in Ventura, California, considered by many to be the capital of the state’s surfing culture. Inclusive, low-key, and welcoming, the collection transforms the beach’s energy into silhouettes of curved waves hitting the beach’s distinctive seawall. Mondos’ bold color and material palette also take their cues from surfing, using vibrant shades of ocean blues and neon greens in fiberglass, neoprene, aluminum, and vinyl.

Photo: Ye Rin Mok

“Mondos truly captures the feeling of this very special stretch of the California Coast, a place that carries so much personal meaning for me and my family,” says Chet Callahan. “I have long admired Laun’s work and the way they consistently push conceptual and material boundaries. They have brought incredible expertise in terms of craft and construction to the making of these pieces. Together, I think we have arrived at a unique take on outdoor furniture that has a timeless elegance, evokes a bit of nostalgia, and captures our shared sense of playfulness.”

Photo: Ye Rin Mok

The sofa, love seat, side chair, chaise, side table, and coffee table that comprise the collection are lightweight, durable, easy to reconfigure. Using 1980’s pool and garden furniture as a muse, the Mondos’ chaise, with its oversized wheel, reimagined proportions, and color, is an updated take on classic vinyl-strapped pool furniture. Meanwhile, the channel tufted seating, which can be assembled in a variety of ways, is made for entertaining.

Photo: Ye Rin Mok

“Laun’s work has always centered on the celebration of California’s design heritage, local craftsmanship, and manufacturing. We are so thrilled to be partnering with Chet on our first collaboration, which really embodies these values,” says Purnell. “Chet and his team have brought a complementary design approach and fresh perspective on color and form to this collection. It has been such a joyful process to create pieces that have a sense of place and add a contemporary take on the design classics from our youth.”

Photo: Ye Rin Mok

Photo: Ye Rin Mok

Photo: Ye Rin Mok

Photo: Ye Rin Mok

Photo: Ye Rin Mok

Photo: Ye Rin Mok

Photo: Ye Rin Mok

To learn more about the Mondos Outdoor Collection, visit launlosangeles.com.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.

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