When people say metropolitan, it usually refers to something that is modern and sophisticated, characters associated with living in or being an inhabitant of a metropolis. Perhaps that’s the impression Jeffrey Barnett meant to convey with his chair collection which he named Metropolitan. He created these chairs in 2003 specifically for B&B Italia.

For sure, these light chairs would not look out of place when used as furniture for bars in any metropolitan city. They are available either on four aluminium spokes or on a steel base. The internal frame is of tubular steel and has steel sections. The chair’s internal frame upholstery is made from Bayfit flexible cold shaped polyurethane foam and a polyester fiber cover. Thermoplastic material is used for the ferrules, and finishes are available in fabric and leather. The support structure for the ME48 model is comprised of drawn sections in brightly-chromed, black varnished steel while that for the ME48/1 model consists of bright brushed, varnished die-cast aluminium and aluminium extrusions.

The chairs aren’t too flashy or eye-catching, but it looks like they would be easy to pair with other types of furniture, such as tables. This is good for many bar and restaurant owners, who don’t want too much of a headache when selecting furniture and furnishings that they will be able to blend in easily with their establishment’s overall look. The chairs are called Metropolitan, but I think they’d look good even in drinking and dining establishments that aren’t located smack dab in the middle of a big town or city.

Designer Jeffrey Barnett works in probably the most famous metropolitan area of all, New York City. His works aren’t confined just there, though. He has worked in partnership with furniture design and manufacturing companies in various countries. His Metropolitan chairs for B&B Italia is just one example of his many international collaborations.