Up next in our design excellence series, we are rounding up our favourite iconic mid century modern lounge chairs. These are those iconic, swoon-worthy pieces of furniture you see in film, TV, and interiors from the organic form of Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair to Mies Van Der Rohe’s Barcelona Chair.
There is no question these pieces are iconic and stunning but there is more than meets the eye in these designs, each one has a unique philosophy and innovative approach that will inspire. So, let’s jump in!
1. Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Designer: Charles and Ray Eames
Brand: Herman Miller
First on the list, is the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman. Introduced in 1956 the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is one of the most iconic and recognizable mid century modern chairs.
Charles and Ray Eames, a husband-and-wife duo known for their innovative contributions to architecture, furniture design, and manufacturing, designed the Eames lounge chair and ottoman.
The concept for the chair design was to create “the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt.”
Craftsmen make the chair from moulded plywood and leather, with a base and back brace made from die-cast aluminum. They finish the outer plywood shell in a selection of rich wood veneers such as walnut, ash, oak, and palisander. The seat, commonly upholstered in leather, is also available in a curated selection of fabrics.
Skilled artisans make authentic Eames lounge chairs and ottomans by hand to ensure the highest level of quality and craftsmanship. Finally, they stamp a medallion on the underside of the chair to signify authenticity.
We love this piece’s blend of comfort, aesthetics, and innovation.
2. Egg Chair
Designer: arne jacobsen
Brand: fritz hansen
Arne Jacobsen designed another quintessential and iconic mid century modern chair, the Egg Chair, known for its distinctive, organic shape, and celebrated for both aesthetic appeal and functional design.
Arne Jacobsen, a Danish architect, and designer created the chair in 1958 for the lobby and reception areas of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, a landmark building also designed by Jacobsen. The hotels interior featured a rich and diverse environment of forms and textures that contrast the minimalist, rectilinear exterior.
In his development of the ant in the early 1950s, Jacobsen began to use plaster and clay in his design process. He used these malleable materials acting like a sculptor, moulding, and forming organic shapes.
Jacobsen pioneered a new fabrication technique for the Egg Chair, crafting the inner shell from a strong foam underlayer and then upholstering it. This allowed for the distinctive, seamless curves of the design.
Many consider the Egg Chair an icon of modernist design. It represents a departure from earlier furniture’s traditional, rigid forms and embraces the organic, flowing shapes that became popular in the mid-20th century.
3. Womb Chair
Designer: Eero Saarinen
Brand: knoll
The Womb Chair, designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948, is another iconic mid century modern chair. And one of our faves!
The concept for the womb chair, requested by Florence Knoll, was to create a chair that was like “a basket full of pillows” and could provide comfort in various sitting positions. Florence was looking for a large, comfortable chair encompassing a modern aesthetic that could take the place of the more traditional large, overstuffed chair.
With human form front of mind, Saarinen’s design prioritized comfort and versatility. The chair supports a range of sitting positions, making it suitable for various activities, from reading to lounging.
“The sweeping form offers endless postures and extra room for elbows, books, or tablets.” – Eero Saarinen
Eero Saarinen and Florence Knoll knew the design of the chair required an innovative approach to production to maintain the designs integrity and aesthetic. Eero initially attempted to construct the design with moulded plywood but soon realized the material wasn’t suitable.
So, Saarinen and Knoll found a boat builder in New Jersey who was experimenting with fibreglass and resin and asked for his assistance in developing manufacturing methods for the chair. There was a lot of trial and error until finally, they arrived at a process that led to success.
Highly skilled artisans have been handcrafting the chair for 75 years, from moulding and shaping the shell to stitching seams, from start to finish. Talk about craftsmanship! This iconic mid century chair is a true icon for its modern aesthetic and comfortable form.
4. Barcelona Chair
Designer: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Brand: knoll
The Barcelona Chair, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in collaboration with Lilly Reich, is a hallmark of modernist furniture design.
Ludwig Mies van der Roh was a pioneering modernist architect and Lilly Reich was a talented interior designer and close collaborator of Mies.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed the chair for the German Pavilion at the 1929 International Exposition hosted by Barcelona, Spain. The intent was to create a modern throne for the Spanish royal couple during the exposition. Mies pulled inspiration from the signature crisscross frames of campaign chairs of ancient Rome.
Mies van der Rohe’s architectural philosophy of “less is more” is embodied in the Barcelona Chair. The design combines functionality and aesthetics, resulting in a piece that is both practical and visually stunning.
The attention to detail and production of the chair oozes craftsmanship. Craftsmen polish the frame to a mirror finish by hand-buffing polished chrome. Then, they upholster the chair with 40 individual panels that they cut, hand-welt, and hand-tuft.
A true icon and statement piece, we love this piece!
5. Lounge Chair Wood (LCW)
Designer: CHARLES AND RAY EAMES
Brand: HERMAN MILLER
Charles and Ray Eames created another iconic mid-century design, the Lounge Chair Wood, celebrated for its innovative use of molded plywood and ergonomic design. They introduced the LCW in 1946 as part of a series of molded plywood furniture produced by the Evans Products Company, and later by Herman Miller.
The chair consists of several pieces of moulded plywood, each shaped to fit the curves of the body. The use of moulded plywood was revolutionary at the time and demonstrated the Eames’ commitment to exploring new materials and manufacturing processes to achieve their design goals.
Most often, LCW features wood veneers such as ash, walnut, and palisander, and manufacturers also offer it in solid-stained finishes with or without an upholstered seat.
This iconic mid century design embodies the Eames’ design philosophy of creating functional, beautiful objects that improve the quality of everyday life. The chair’s design reflects a perfect balance of aesthetics and ergonomics.
We love this piece for its aesthetic statement and commitment to Eames’ design philosophy and innovation.
Wrapping Up: Iconic Mid Century Modern Lounge Chairs
So, there you have it! 5 iconic mid century modern lounge chairs.
More than just aesthetics, these chairs exemplify the innovation at the heart of iconic mid century design.
We love incorporating these pieces in our work to truly make a statement.
Cheers!
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