You’ve heard the saying, “You Get What You Pay For.” In some cases, that applies to designer furniture.
Designer pieces are crafted by skilled artisans, often working from original sketches and designs. Additionally, they are produced in limited quantities, ensuring their uniqueness. Their uniqueness can add a sense of style to your home.
Introduction to Iconic Chairs
The right chair can elevate a room, offering comfort and style. But iconic chairs are more than just a pretty seat; they represent a design movement and hold a place in history. From renowned architects to pioneering designers, these pieces of modern living room furniture are more than just stylish—they embody the spirit of their time. From futuristic one-legged designs to sculptural beauties, these chairs are the perfect examples of the union of form and function.
An architect's job is to consider a building as a whole, ensuring that every detail is thought out for its aesthetic and functional benefits. These same principles can be applied to furniture design. These 10 iconic designer chairs, whether you're looking to upgrade your home with modern furniture or simply appreciate the beauty of classic shapes, will transform any interior and remain in style.
Eero Saarinen's Tulip Chair is a prime example of the way architecture and design are intertwined. He created the chair with a single pedestal to replace traditional chair legs, which resulted in a silhouette that's both sleek and organic. It's also playful and elegant, thanks to the tulip-like shape that blossoms from the base.
Another architect who applied the principles of geometry to his chair design is the Dutch architect Gerrit Thomas Rietveld. He designed the cantilevered Zig-Zag Chair in 1932 and 1934, using the geometric composition of vertical and horizontal lines that was championed by the avant-garde De Stijl movement. The chair is still being produced today by Scandinavian manufacturer Cassina.
Danish designer Hans Jørgen Wegner's Wishbone Chair is a beautiful example of midcentury modern design at its finest. The wooden frame and paper cord seat look simple without being stark, while the Y-shaped backrest is both ergonomic and attractive. The design is timeless and elegant, making it a great addition to contemporary homes. The Wishbone Chair is also a fantastic choice for more traditional spaces, such as dining rooms and dressing tables.
Warren Platner's wire-frame chair is another timeless design that's been in production since 1966. It's a classic in any home or office, with its signature curves and sculptural shape. The Platner Chair is versatile enough to complement any style, from modern to classic, and it can even be used as a statement piece in an entryway or foyer.
Togo Chair
With countless designs vying for space in our homes, only the most iconic pieces manage to transcend trends and become enduring fixtures of interior design. With its unconventional shape and unique construction, the Togo sofa designed by Michel Ducaroy is a perfect example. Introduced in 1973, the Togo sofa evokes strong feelings of nostalgia and retro aesthetics while remaining a truly contemporary piece.
When first introduced at a Paris trade fair, the Togo chair received mixed reviews from both the public and professionals. Its low seating height, rounded form, and unique construction made it an antithesis to the rigid and geometric furniture of the time. The rounded structure of the Togo is accentuated by a layering of different sizes of polyurethane foam, creating a shape that is soft and embracing, with no sharp lines. The Togo seat also has no base, which adds to the sense of lightness and comfort.
Despite its initial skepticism, the Togo soon gained a following among designers and the public. It was awarded the Rene-Gabriel prize in 1973, a recognition of innovative and democratic furniture that reflects a sense of the times. The Togo is an ergonomically designed piece that prioritizes comfort above all else, featuring a base that is layered with three different densities of polyether foam. The seat is then covered with a layer of cotton, which adds to the sense of plushness and comfort.
The Togo is a piece that can be styled in numerous ways, from classic leather to decadent velvet and beyond. The chameleonic quality of the Togo makes it an ideal choice for a living room with a mix of styles. It is also a popular choice in homes with pets, as it is resistant to claws and hair.
The Togo continues to be one of Ligne Roset’s best-selling designs, with over 1.2 million sold worldwide in 72 countries. The Togo is a symbol of freedom and bold design, and it’s not surprising that this iconic piece has become such an icon in the design world. Stocked exclusively in Australia by DOMO, the Togo is available in an extensive range of fabrics from buttery soft leathers to delicate silks and in a wide array of colors from neutrals to moody tones.
Eames Lounge Chair
Designer furniture enthusiasts hold a special place in their hearts for the Eames Lounge Chair, despite Charles and Ray Eames being regarded as design icons for their numerous stylish creations. The chair was the result of the husband-and-wife team’s desire to create an updated version of the traditional English club chair. Their innovative design and use of materials made the chair stand out among other contemporary designs, and the Eames Lounge Chair has since been embraced by generations of designers and furniture lovers alike.
The Eames Lounge Chair is a sleek, comfortable piece of furniture with a luxurious feel. The molded plywood shell is curved in a way that mimics the body’s natural curves, and it’s covered with supple leather for added comfort. The Eames Lounge Chair is also incredibly durable, and it can withstand years of wear and tear. The Eames Lounge Chair was designed for luxury, and it was priced accordingly when it first debuted in 1956. Today, the Eames Lounge Chair is still produced by Herman Miller, and it can be found in many modern homes.
Like other pieces by the Eameses, the lounge chair has been used in interior design and architecture since its debut. You can find a Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair at many online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores. Many people also search for the chair on secondhand websites such as Craigslist and 1stdibs to save money. However, it’s important to research the chair before purchasing a secondhand model. It’s a good idea to check the label and stamps of the chair before making a purchase. Look for a Herman Miller label on the back panel and a stamp that indicates the chair’s age. Also, if the chair is from an earlier model, look for a line on the outer back panel near the mounts to see if they are glued.
The Eames Lounge Chair elevated itself to design stardom after it was featured on the television show Home with Arlene Francis in 1956. It quickly became one of the most popular pieces of furniture in America and continues to be a staple of modern home decor. The lounge chair is the perfect example of form following function. It was designed to be functional, comfortable, and stylish—and it certainly succeeded in all three.
Egg Chair
One of the most recognizable pieces in the design world, the iconic Egg Chair isn’t just famous for its unique looks. It’s also a great example of forward-thinking and innovation in design. Designed by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen in 1958, this seat is a symbol of modernist architecture at its finest. Made from molded and upholstered polyurethane foam, the Egg Chair is both sleek and comfortable. It swivels and reclines, making it ideal for relaxing.
In creating the Egg Chair, Jacobsen pushed the boundaries of furniture production with new materials. He used foam, which was a revolutionary choice at the time, and he experimented with different construction methods to make the chair as functional as possible. Years of trial and error led to the final design, with Jacobsen creating small-scale clay models in his garage. Once the design was perfected, Jacobsen partnered with Fritz Hansen to manufacture the chair.
While the Egg Chair has gone through a few manufacturing changes over the years, it’s still recognizable today. For one, authentic chairs have a distinctive label that can be spotted by looking closely at the chair’s base. A red label indicates a chair that was made before 2010, while brown labels indicate those manufactured after.
Authentic Egg Chairs are also constructed of high-quality fabrics, which add durability and aesthetic appeal. They’re available in a wide variety of colors, allowing individuals to choose a color that best suits their decor preferences. Additionally, the seats can be customized with armrests and backrests to provide extra comfort.
The beauty of the Egg Chair is that it can be used in any room, from the dining area to the living room. It’s also an excellent choice for a home office, as it can be used in combination with other chairs to create a cozy reading nook. Additionally, it can be used as a statement piece in an entryway or hallway. Its sculptural integrity gives it a modern edge, so you can place it in a traditional or contemporary room to make an impactful visual statement.
The LC2
Designer furniture is generally pricier than regular modern pieces, but it is often more durable. Many of these pieces are also made to look more refined and sophisticated, which can add a great deal of elegance to your home. Additionally, if you purchase an authentic piece of designer furniture, it will likely become more valuable over time. This can be a good investment if you like the design enough that you are willing to wait for it to appreciate in value.
Designed in 1928 by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, and Pierre Jeanneret, the LC2 is one of the most iconic furniture designs in history. The LC2 is considered a modernist response to traditional chairs, stressing functionality over aesthetics. Its chrome tubular steel frame acts as an exoskeleton around upholstered cushions, which creates an attractive contrast with the room’s surroundings.
The LC2 has an elegant appeal that looks stylish in both modern and traditional homes. It is also an excellent option for office spaces, thanks to its clean lines. Additionally, a number of designer furniture companies make couches and chairs with a minimalist appeal that is easy to blend with the contemporary style.
The Barcelona Chair
The Barcelona Chair is a renowned modern lounge chair that was designed in 1929 for the German Pavilion at the International Exposition in Barcelona. It was a collaborative masterpiece by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, and it has become one of the most celebrated pieces of designer furniture in history. The Barcelona Chair was a departure from the ornate styles of traditional furniture, and it was meant to be a symbol of luxury seating for the future. It is said to be a hybrid of the Egyptian royal folding chair and the Roman folding footstool, and it embodied Mies’ famous “less is more” aphorism.
The chrome-plated, high-gloss flat spring steel frame of the Barcelona Chair is hand buffed for a flawless finish and the cushions are made of 148 individual leather squares carefully welted together. The Barcelona Chair exemplifies Mies' "less is more" philosophy through its meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship.
In 1945, Mies gave his design rights for the Barcelona chair to Florence Knoll, the founder of furniture company Knoll International, and she began production. Knoll introduced slight changes to the chair over the years and, in 1964, switched from aluminum to stainless steel. The iconic chair is now found in offices and in the homes of architects and designers.
The Panton Chair
Designed in the 1960’s by Verner Panton, the Panton Chair is an iconic piece that has transcended the trends of the time and continues to be a popular choice today. The cantilever chair is sculptural and combines form and function. Featuring a stackable design and sustainable materials, the chair is a beautiful addition to any space.
In the 1950s, Verner Panton was fascinated by the possibilities offered by plastic materials and broke away from familiar natural forms in his furniture designs. After graduating from the Technical College in Odense and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Panton opened his own design studio and focused on developing innovative furniture ideas that made use of modern production technology.
Like fellow Kunstakademi alumni Arne Jacobsen, furniture designer Verner Panton did not initially plan to become a furniture architect. He was more interested in painting and graphic design, but his parents persuaded him to pursue a career in architecture. Eventually, he moved to Copenhagen and joined the studio of fellow Kunstakademi alumni and furniture designer Arne Jacobsen.
While working at Jacobsen’s studio, Panton met the management of Swiss furniture manufacturer Vitra, who was keen to support his experimental work. However, his initial attempt to bring his prototype for a cantilever chair into series production was not a success. It took several years of painstaking experimentation to produce a version that could be mass-produced. Panton first created a cold-pressed model made from polyester strengthened with fiberglass and then the later version was produced from a molded form of rigid polyurethane foam (known as Baydur).