G-Plan Fresco dining room furniture
G-Plan Fresco was a hugely successful design for Gomme. Introduced in 1966, it became G-Plan's most successful ever range.
V B Wilkins designed Fresco. He combined the pop art motif of the circle, seen on ceramics and other pieces from the 60s, with the newly fashionable sculptured look for furniture which came from Italy, with the Scandinavian style teak to produce the definitive G-Plan style.
Fresco 1966
The Fresco teak dining range was introduced in 1966, and comprised a circular table and four chairs, illustrated right above, and a 7ft sideboard (left above). The set was finished in teak veneer. The legs on the chairs and the legs and handles on the sideboard were made in solid afromosia.
At its launch you could buy the sideboard for £59 and the table for £34. All these pieces were manufactured well into the 70s.
Look for pieces in excellent condition. Expect to pay from £150 to £300 for the sideboard. Scruffier pieces will be worth significantly less. £100 will probably secure a good dining table and four chairs.
G-Plan Fresco 1969
For 1969, G-Plan added more furniture to the Fresco range. There was a gate-leg table, a new design of chair and this 5ft sideboard pictured left. All were designed by V B Wilkins and finished in teak with similar style.
G-Plan Fresco 1970
This taller sideboard came in 1970. It was also designed by V B Wilkins and finished in teak veneer.
At 6ft 2in wide and 4ft high, it is a substantial piece of furniture. It cost £79 10s when new in 1970.
G-Plan New Fresco
A few years ago, G-Plan launched the New Fresco range, which drew on the original range for inspiration. It is not still made and is not common. Pieces might still come up on eBay.
G-Plan Fresco models - dining room
Sideboards, dressers and storage
| Model | Description | Dimensions | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4070 | 2 cupboards and central drawers | W 84", H 31", D 18" | 1966-77 |
| 4072 | 3 cupboards with drawers above | W 60", H 33½", D 18" | 1969-80 |
| 4074 | 2 cupboards, central drawers, unit above | W 74", H 48", D 18" | 1970-75 |
| 4073 | Dresser table (top) | W 55", H 40", D 10½" | 1976-80 |
| 4075 | Dresser table (base) | W 56", H 30", D 17½" | 1976-c82 |
| 4078 | 2 cupboards, central drawers | W 68", H 31", D 18" | 1977 only |
| 4079 | Dresser table Buffet top | W 55", H 26", D 11" | 1978-c82 |
| 4090 | Corner cupboard | W 28", H 67", D 28" | 1979- |
| 4103 | New Buffet top unit with glass cupboards | W 72", H 27", D 10½" | 1980- |
| 4105 | Canted sideboard/base | W 73", H 28½", D 18" | 1980- |
G-Plan introduced the Fresco wall furniture range in 1975. This was a range of unit dining room cupboard storage.
G-Plan replaced most of their Fresco sideboard and dresser range with a new range of teak unit furniture in around 1982.
Dining tables
| Model | Description | Dimensions | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Side table with flaps | D 19" L 37" (open 58") | 1969-70 |
| 4384 | Rectangular, extendable | W 36", L 60" (open 78") | 1970-c73 |
| 4385 | Circular, extendable | Diameter 48", open 66" | 1966- |
| 4387 | Extendable, rounded shape | W 44" L 64" (open 82") | 1966-77 |
| 4388 | Extendable, rounded shape, pedestal style | W 42" L 64" (open 82") | 1975- |
| 4389 | Gateleg | W 36" L 12" (open 54") | 1969- |
| 4393 | 12-seater pedestal style | W 46" L 91" (open 119") | 1978-80 |
| 4394 | Fixed pedestal style | W 32" L 64" | 1977-80 |
| 4402 | New extendable table | W 46", L 54" (open 72") | 1978-80 |
Dining chairs
| Model | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 4530 | Fully upholstered | c1969-c73 |
| 4534 | Ladder back | 1970-c82 |
| 4535 | Circular seat, padded back | 1966-74 |
| 4538 | Panel back | 1969-70 |
| 4540 | High back | 1975- |
| 4542 | Padded back | 1975- |
| 4544 | High back carver | 1975- |
| 4543 | Padded back carver | 1975- |
| 4545 | Padded back | 1975-77 |
| 4546 | New style ladder back | 1975-8 |
| 4547 | Traditional style ladder back | 1977- |
| 4548 | Padded back (like 4534) | 1977 only |
| 4554 | Cane back | 1978- |
| 4554 | Cane back carver | 1979- |
| 4556 | Curved back | 1979- |
| 4557 | Curved back carver | 1979- |
This information was compiled from a selection of G-Plan catalogues from the 1960s to 1982. Where there is no end date given, the item was in the 1982 catalogue.
Comments
Hi , does anyone have a picture of model number 4078 fresco sideboard from 1977? I'm trying to identify my sideboard, regards Chris.