The piece featured in this podcast has even in its name a sign of its maker’s personality and what amazing, and sometimes painful, experiences and battles she went through in her long life. It is an armchair and it is called the Nonconformist Armchair. It was designed in 1926 by Irish designer Eileen Gray, a pioneer of contemporary taste, which for many decades — especially during the 60s, 70s and 80s was neglected, and almost forgotten. Then, in 2009, the collection of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent went for sale in an auction at Christie’s, and one of Gray’s armchairs set a phenomenal record. Today, Eileen Gray is regarded as a seminal figure in the history of 20th century design. Try to look at a picture of one of her interiors and it’ll feel like it’s from a current magazine editorial.