20 Great Dining Chairs
Shopping
2nd September, 2013
Our main goal with our monthly Hunt / Gather column is to offer properly helpful product recommendations - things every household needs at some point or another, but which can be a little difficult to source unless you know where to start! Dining chairs can be surprisingly tricky - there's a lot of 'same same' going on in this category, and whilst of course I do love a classic bentwood as much as the next person, it's great to see a few unexpected alternatives in the mix below! Simone has sourced 20 great chairs, there are SO many amazing options here, from mid century classics to contemporary pieces, and a good edit Australian-made designs included too. With a price range that spans from $99 to $3379 (yes, for one chair!!), we've got all bases covered! Lucy x
Hunt / Gather: 20 Great Dining Chairs product edit by Simone Haag / Hecker Guthrie, layout by Jess Lillico.
Anyone with an interest in design would at some stage have had a love affair with a chair. At Hecker Guthrie we know this feeling all too well - we become obsessed with a new chair almost daily! So in this round up we wanted to share a really nice cross section of chairs, which includes everything from mid century classics to everyday affordable options, with a strong edit of Australian-made options in the mix too. We hope you find the one for you! – Simone.
1. No.B9 Le Corbusier armchair from Thonet ($511.00 AUD) – There is not much to say about the No.B9 Le Corbusier chair other than it is elegant, classic and undeniably appropriate in almost any space.
2. Butterfly chair by Ercol from Temperature Designs ($830.00 AUD) – The Ercol Butterfly chair is of English origins. Launched in 1958, it is as equally relevant today as it was back then. We love it in the mint!
3. Bento chair by One Nordic from Distric 246 ($from 600.00 + gst AUD) – One Nordic Bento chair is founded on Scandinavian design ideologies, while embracing easy assembly and DIY playfulness. It comes flat packed and can be assembled in four-steps.
4. IKEA PS 2012 from IKEA ($99.00 AUD) – The aim of the Hunt / Gather column is to provide a broad range of options that suit a variety of budgets, and frankly it doesn’t get more affordable than IKEA. We love the shaker qualities of the PS 2012 chair. Ebba Strandmark designed it with comfort and quality in mind, as detailed in the chair's high-strapped back and arm rests.
5. Pelleossa chair by Miniforms from Café Culture ($657.80) – Contrary to what its name suggests, Café Culture sells a swoon worthy range of dining chairs, including the Pelleossa chair by Miniforms that we particularly love. Available with or without arms, this chair has a lovely fineness to it and is inspired by some of the great Italian classics.
Hunt / Gather: 20 Great Dining Chairs product edit by Simone Haag / Hecker Guthrie, layout by Jess Lillico.
6. Navy chair by Jardan ($775.00 AUD) – Jardan’s newest member of the family is the Navy dining chair. They describe it as ‘modern with traditional craftsmanship’.
7. Butter chair by DesignByThem ($695.00 AUD) – The Butter chair is made in Australia from 100% post consumer recyclables, derived almost entirely from recycled milk containers. That makes it one of the most ethically produced chairs we could find, and also means an added bonus - it's suitable for either indoor or outdoor use. DesignByThem and also offers a product stewardship program, taking back chairs to be repaired, reused or recycled.
8. Fable chair by Ross Didier ($442.00 AUD) – The Fable chair is one sixth of a range of essential items inspired by children’s tales designed by all round nice guy, Melbourne-based Ross Didier.
9. Jake chair by Koskela ($440.00 AUD) – The Jake chair from the team at Koskela in Sydney presents a glorious combination of limewashed timber and a veritable rainbow of powder coat colours. Just to keep it all a bit off kilter, there is a bit of mismatchy happening with the legs!
10. Dining Chair #107 by Tony Parker from Workshopped ($899.00 AUD + fabric) – Workshopped in Sydney have recently secured a relationship with Covemore Designs to reintroduce selected pieces from the mid century range designed by Tony Parker. Dining chair #107 is one such piece from an exciting collection of furniture, which for many is a bit of a blast from the past.
Hunt / Gather: 20 Great Dining Chairs product edit by Simone Haag / Hecker Guthrie, layout by Jess Lillico.
11. Cab chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina from Corporate Culture ($3360.00 AUD) The Cab chair is one of the most significant chair designs of the 20th Century. Its beauty lies in its sculptural form, the singularity of finish, the quality of the saddle leather and the exposed stitch work. Oh and did we mention it is also outstandingly comfortable?!
12. Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen from Corporate Culture ($2790.00 AUD) – Designed by Arne Jacobsen and produced by Fritz Hansen, this chair would have to be up there in the list of Denmark’s greatest exports. A recent study trip saw Hecker Guthrie director Hamish Guthrie visit the factory where this chair is produced, and as a result, his appreciation of this chair has been further heightened.
13. CH20 Elbow chair by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen + Son from Corporate Culture ($1395.00 AUD) – The Elbow chair was designed by Hans Wegner in 1956 and is in production by Carl Hansen + Son. Coined the CH20, this wooden stackable chair certainly embodies Wegner’s ideology and skill for craft and minimalism.
14. Superleggera chair by Gio Ponti for Cassina from Corporate Culture ($3376.00 AUD) – Design maestro Gio Ponti designed the Superleggera chair back in 1957 under the premise that it was so strong, yet so light that a child could lift it with one finger. Light it is, and it is still relevant in today's design scene. It also happens to be Paul Hecker’s favourite chair of all time!
15. Pocket chair by Discipline from Stylecraft ($2835.00 + gst AUD) – The Pocket chair by Discipline is fabulous as it bridges the gap between dining chair and lounge chair. Discipline is new to the market straight from Europe, and according to Stylecraft (Discipline's exclusive Australian stockist) the range is going absolutely gangbusters. It seems none of us can get enough of this tan leather thing!
16. No.18 Thonet by Thonet ($368.00 AUD) – Still one of the most affordable classics, the No.18 Thonet is available in a variety of finishes, but we like it best in black or white with a contrasting 'sock'!
17. Tom Dixon Peg Chair from Dedece - The Peg chair by revered self-taught British designer Tom Dixon is inspired by Japanese architecture. It also happens to be one of Hamish's favourite chairs!
18. Fritz dining chair by Freedom ($129.00 AUD) – This simple chair from Freedom presents an affordable alternative. We love it's contemporary shape and singularity of material.
19. SixE dining chair by Pearson Llyod for Howe from Living Edge ($476.00 AUD) – This modest stacking chair is named SixE in reference to the six Es that define its six key characteristics, which include: Ergonomic, Efficient, Elegant, Environmental, Economic and Ease of handling. What more could you want in a dining chair?
20. Eames Moulded Plywood dining chair by Herman Miller from Living Edge (from $1136.00 AUD) – A veritable classic, the Eames moulded plywood dining chair is boldly original and enduringly charming.
For more inspiration from the clever team at Hecker Guthrie, be sure to check out their website – such an insanely impressive portfolio of work. You can also follow Simone's personal blog here.
Nice list, although what about the Hans Wegner wishbone?
Thank you for this post it is going in my keep file, I’m addicted to chairs and it is nice to be able to put a name beside them.
cheers
Margo on Vancouver island
Such an array of chairs, such choice,well done Simone you certainly have an eye for style.
Perfect timing – I have been wondering which dining chair I should be buying. Thanks Hunt Gather/The Design Files for sharing your recommendations!
Holy Number 2 and 19! Gorgeous….
Oh dear Butteryfly chair by Ercol i think i’m in love…thankyou again Simone and HG for some truly stylish inspiration….
Lovely chairs but with 2 chairs under $150 each and 13 over $500 each who is this list really aimed?
Given that most people with need at least 4 chairs plus a table to used them at, today’s entry seems to highlight why “design” is seen as something for the elite. If this list is aiming to be a list of great chairs that is fine but “helpful product recommendations” seems a stretch. I have learnt the Ikea and Freedom at my only options and I earn well above the average person and appreciate good design. It is not surprising that ripoffs of classics are a popular alternative.
Love TDF, but 6 (of 20) chairs over $1000, is not a diverse range to covers all readers. Disappointing.
I agree with Michelle above – Where’s the Wishbone?
Beauty and comfort, everything I desire.
Thanks for the inspiration Hecker Guthrie and Sim!
Hi guys thanks for all your comments…
JB, I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint you with this spread. We really thought long and hard about which chairs to include, and clearly It’s impossible to please everyone. I can’t personally afford a $1000+ dining chair either, but we love classic design and Australian design, and it’s a bit hard to feature classic designs pieces with a set price limit in mind. So some of this list is strictly ‘wish list’ stuff, whilst other items are more affordable and realistic I guess.
The thing is, we focus on original design here at TDF. So when doing a round-up like this, it’s actually quite difficult to find dining chairs under $200 or so which are not knock offs! We would NEVER feature replica furniture because, well, we hate knock offs (!!) and we feel that replica furniture undermines original design and the the intellectual input of the original designer. We assume the design enthusiasts who read TDF don’t come here to see knock offs!
So, we included a couple of new designs we really liked from Ikea and Freedom, but in general terms, I admit it can be hard to find classic designed chairs for $200 or less a piece!
I was pleasantly surprised actually when we priced the classic Bentwoods at Thonet – $368 each seems reasonable to me for a very classic and robust dining chair that will last a lifetime. But it’s all subjective. I’d forgo an annual holiday if I needed 6 new dining chairs…. but that’s just me!
Thanks for your comment! x
…We love the wishbone chair as well, we have 10 of them in the boardroom, which have been fulfilling their seating duties for the last 12 years… of course, ours are from a legitimate supplier.
There are many wonderful chairs out there in the ether, and we couldn’t mention them all…and there are many chairs that cost less than $500… try the Hay product form Corporate Culture, or Kartell chairs from Space Furniture.
Also… our firm belief is buy once buy well, buy for ever… it all get’s down to priorities.
People spend a lot of money on cars, TVs, technology, holidays, coffee, clothes etc… all of which a great dining chair, used every day, will out last.
Food for thought?
An absolutely wonderful selection of chairs! I think these dining chairs are really well priced… chairs are an important investment and all of these options are stunning, original, durable and will surely last the test of time. What more could you ask for? Good work HG & Sim!
Thanks for the recommendations – I agree – the Wishbone is a classic – but I am excited to some alternative options. Keep it up team Hunt Gather.
Wow great summary of what’s out there! I love these chairs especially fresh new ones. Great to see there are so many stylin’ new designs coming out – Keep that wonderful hunting going Simone and keeping us all inspired :)
A very big thank you to Simone Haag of Hecker Guthrie and The Design files for featuring the new Bento chair by One Nordic.
Joe Catania
District246
I love your column, Simone. Your taste is exquisite and I really look forward to the next Hunter Gatherer! Thanks for sharing your ideas and research.
“We would NEVER feature replica furniture because, well, we hate knock offs (!!) and we feel that replica furniture undermines original design and the the intellectual input of the original designer. ”
Well said. I agree wholeheartedly.
A beautiful and inspiring selection Simone! I’m always looking forward to your column. Keep up the great work! :))
I would like to see the Merano chair by TON in this list.
That great moment when you scroll down and your favourite chair pictured is both local design and fairly affordable. Loving the Fable chair by Ross Didier, definitely going to consider these for my next table.
Whilst I empathise on the price point factor of these chairs the other commenter made, I tend to agree that if seen as investment nearly all are not extravagantly priced at all, especially when original designs, made of quality materials and more timeless than other luxury products. I always think if you can’t afford 6 high quality/original chairs perhaps you could buy 2 (or even one) HQ ones that feature and 4 cheaper ambigious ones like the ikea chairs. This is most likely my reality and it still deeply excites me.
Great list! Look forward to the next!
Thank you to Simone for including the gorgeous Ercol Butterfly Chair – we can’t get enough of it. It’s always a pleasure working with Hecker Guthrie and TDF. We can’t wait to see what pops up next – The team at Temperature Design.
Such a great selection, my fave being the Cassina Chair, the proportions are divine. It’s perfection, except for the price! I actually think there are a great range of chairs that are more affordable and are not rip offs. I try to sway clients from buying replicas when they can afford an original design. It might not be a known designer yet but I think Insitu, BCI, Chairbiz and James Richardson have great chairs. Designdelicatessen are awesome too. I love chairs.
Great !!! Very Nice Post. This information will increase more and more people to know about all this Dining Chairs. I use to do buy online Dining Chairs as its time saving.
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Nice post. My boyfriend and I are trying to figure out what kind of chairs to put in out kitchen. Right now we have bentwood chairs and they are great and all but I am the kind of person that needs to change things up every once in awhile. I really like #17, #14 and #4. I hope my boyfriend likes at least one of these. Thanks so much for sharing, this was extremely helpful.
Nice collection I liked #6, #11 and #16 although prices are way too high :(
http://goo.gl/uhxu72
An absolutely wonderful selection of chairs! I think these dining chairs are really well priced… chairs are an important investment and all of these options are stunning, original, durable and will surely last the test of time.
Chiavari chair
Love this blog, very useful information about chairs . i have find inspiration for my own chairs transformation.
Great !