#FurniturePhilosophy Volume 7

Nov 30, 2025

Simone Weil (pronounced: Wey) is one of the most fascinating thinkers of the last century. Her philosophical reflections are a treasure that deserves far more attention.

Born in France in 1909, Simone Weil was very headstrong even as a child. During the First World War, she learned that French soldiers were no longer receiving sugar at the front. As a result, the six-year-old refused to eat sweets until the soldiers had sugar again. Her teachers later called her "La Martienne," "the Martian." And although she was a genius, she barely managed to graduate from university.

Her life's path led her through political activism, the Spanish Civil War, an immersion in Christian mysticism, and the turmoil of the Second World War. Weil finally died in England in 1943.

In today's world full of information and hectic activity, the most important idea Simone Weil gave us is: attention.

Simone Weil 1922 — Simone Weil: Almost always smiling despite difficult times. (1922)

Simone Weil describes attention as the highest state of being human. Ten times more important than learning or strenuous concentration on something. Only through effortless attention can we completely detach ourselves from our everyday lives.

This realization carries even more weight today: In times of social media, ever-new television series, and flashing mobile apps, our minds become scattered. And in the hunt for the best information, one can easily lose oneself in Googling to the point of complete exhaustion.

What is truly important, however, reveals itself only in the stillness of the moment. In contemplation without haste, we can find peace and recharge our energy. And from here, Simone Weil hoped, the power of attention would seize the soul and transform the whole person. Weil also saw our creative potential, all creativity and aesthetics, as arising from attentive contemplation.

Perhaps you've experienced this with your own interior design: truly great design decisions often arise in the moment, not on the drawing board. Many famous designers also report having developed their greatest designs in a state of complete immersion. The legendary Charles Eames expressed a similar sentiment: "The details are not merely details. They make the design." But only those who have mastered the state of attentiveness possess an eye for detail.

I know this feeling personally from the beauty of nature. But also from truly exceptional furniture. I could look at my favorite armchair, the LC 2 by Le Corbusier, for hours and enjoy it.

I find Simone Weil's ideas about mindfulness particularly beautiful and fitting during the reflective Christmas season. Focusing on existing resources also aligns perfectly with our philosophy regarding the circular economy: that's precisely why we give selected designer furniture a second life through our refurbishment process!

Below this blog post, I've compiled the pieces of furniture that have particularly caught my eye. And I invite you to incorporate a conscious moment of mindfulness into your day today. This could be a hot drink, a glance out the window, a scented candle, or something else entirely.

PS: Remember, all regular orders received before December 9th are guaranteed to be delivered to your home by Christmas!

My Philosophical Highlights