Our homes would be woefully incomplete without chairs. We use them everyday, whether it’s a kitchen or dining room chair around the dining table for family meals or an armchair to read or watch television. Some of the most common, and not so common, types of chairs were invented thanks to famous designers–some of whom initially had nothing do with furniture design. Here are three surprising furniture designers and their designer chairs:
1. Did you know that Charles Darwin technically invented the office chair? He added wheels to his armchair while he worked in order to move around his office to view his specimens more easily. He was the first person to add wheels to an armchair, and since then almost all office chairs have come standard with wheels.
2. Charles and Ray Eames are some of the world’s most famous architects, but they also designed furniture for the Herman Miller furniture company in 1956. The Eames lounge chair has since then become a classic, and it was the first chair that the Eameses designed for a high-end market. The Eames lounge chair is similar to our modern day office chairs, but it tilts back and also comes with an ottoman. Eames lounge chairs are typically made of molded plywood and have leather cushions and are available in a variety of colors.
3. Blending classic styles and modern art isn’t easy, but architect and designer Philippe Starck did just that when he designed the Ghost chair. Based on the classic Louis XVI armchair, famed for its structure and ergonomics, Starck designed his clear, stackable polycarbonate Ghost chairs with function in mind. These much sought after designs are for both indoor and outdoor use and are a stylish addition to any home.
Whether you’re in a market for a designer chair or simply a more affordable piece of replica furniture, look to the masters of modern design for inspiration for your home. Classics never go out of style.
