Iconic Mid-Century Modern Chairs

In looking at Mid-Century Modern chairs, it is useful to understand a little of the background relating to this period in interior design history.

The Mid-Century Modern style roughly relates to the period after WW2 through to the late middle of the 20^th Century. It was inspired by the post-war need to rebuild houses quickly and efficiently. These modern homes created a new environment in which older, antique furniture looked out of place and sleeker, cleaner designs became fashionable. The period was so impactful that much of the furniture produced today is influenced by the designers of the Mid-Century Modern era.

The Mid-Century Modern movement rejected extravagant and detailed designs that had been popular for centuries before. Previous fashion in chairs had focused on their appearance, sometimes at the expense of function. Furniture designers began to concentrate on comfort with a more simplistic approach to aesthetics, creating strikingly different chair designs that could be produced at lightning speed compared to what had gone before.

Above: https://www.furniture4yourhome.co.uk/aviator-keeler-wing-swivel-chair-4-options-new

The Egg Chair style above has remained popular since its creation in 1958 by Danish furniture creator Arne Jacobsen. Jacobsen’s objective was to create a highly comfortable chair with the love and attention of a sculptor, the end result being a chair that would flatter the occupant, especially a woman.

Above: https://www.furniture4yourhome.co.uk/pendle-chair

In the 1950s, the designer Hans Wegner also thought about chair-making as though it were a sculpture. His aptly named ‘Easy Chair’ had simple, elegant lines and he observed that “A chair is to have no backside.” “It should be beautiful from all sides and angles.”

Above: https://www.furniture4yourhome.co.uk/vintage-button-back-chair

The style of the Cesca chair, created by Hungarian-born Marcel Breuer, was named after his daughter Francesca. It was the first tube steel-framed chair that could be mass-produced. The back is at a slight angle for ergonomic support and the seat offers a fun bounce. There are many variants on this original theme; traditionally it is without arms although it is possible to find them with arms. They are mainly utilised in dining rooms and offices but look attractive anywhere in the home.

Above: https://www.furniture4yourhome.co.uk/elis-dining-chair-new

A variation on the Cesca chair, our Elis Dining Chair is available in a choice of six colours. These different colours can be used alongside each other for an ultra-chic appearance or used as a standalone accent chair in any room from the kitchen to the bedroom.

Above: https://www.furniture4yourhome.co.uk/utah-retro-velvet-chair      

Sumptuous fabrics such as velvet are ubiquitous in Mid-Century Modern chair design in colours such as dusky blue, mustard, olive green and burnt orange. The luxurious feel of velvet contrasts with the simplicity of the designs so that the overall feel is of warmth and comfort but without ostenatation.

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