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Finding the Right seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- What is a Parsons chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024A Parsons chair is a type of dining chair. It features four wooden legs with a slight taper. In some cases, the front legs may be turned. The chairs also tend to have high rectangular backs and lightly padded seats, both clad in upholstery. The name Parsons chair refers to the Parsons School of Design in Paris, France, where students first developed the now iconic chair during the 1930s. Shop an assortment of Parsons chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a Parsons-style chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Parsons-style chair is a type of seating furniture with a simple square back and straight arms that connect to rectangular legs. The name comes from the Parsons School of Design in Paris, France, where the chairs originated in the 1930s. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Parsons-style chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The difference between a side chair and a Parsons chair is style. A side chair is a very commonly used dining chair. The form of a side chair may vary, but the constant is the lack of armrests to keep hands free for eating and to save space at the table. A Parsons chair is a type of side chair that features upholstery on the seat and back. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023No, chairs and ottomans don’t have to match. While you can often purchase matching ottomans for chairs, there is no rule about how to style furniture. Pieces with a similar shape, color or material can coordinate even if they aren’t a matched set. Find a range of chairs and ottomans on 1stDibs.
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