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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.
- Does the Tulip chair swivel?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, the Tulip chair does indeed swivel. It is a pedestal swivel chair made with an aluminum base and a fiberglass shell, which was very innovative when it was designed in the mid-1950s. You can shop a collection of Tulip chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The comfort of an Eames wire chair is a matter of preference, but the chair was designed to be comfortable. That said, the company did design pads to be used with this chair to boost the comfort level for some. The initial pads were found to be too moveable so more stable pads were created in later models. Shop a collection of Eames chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To tell if a Tulip Chair is real, check for the Knoll logo and if Eero Saarinen’s signature is engraved on the underside of the chair. These are original markings that should not exist on knock-offs. Shop a large collection of Tulip Chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024To identify a Saarinen Tulip chair, turn it over and examine its round base. Authentic Tulip chairs will display the Knoll logo and Eero Saarinen's signature. Knock-offs will typically be unmarked or show off a different maker's name. When in doubt, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer for assistance with identification. Explore a diverse assortment of Eero Saarinen Tulip chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Many chairs can work with a Tulip table. The Tulip armchair, for example, was part of Eero Saarinen’s Pedestal collection of armless chairs, stools, Tulip side tables and more. The series, produced for Knoll, was a mid-century modernist exercise in simplifying, and Tulip chairs, with their curvy contours, match Tulip side tables and Pedestal dining tables very well. However, you can also try other mid-century modern chairs to see what works best in your space. Shop a collection of mid-century modern dining chairs on 1stDibs.
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