Evoking rusticity and relaxation through simple and elegant designs, vintage Adirondack furniture originated in the Adirondack Mountains of northeastern New York. The most famous piece is the Adirondack chair, which dates to 1903.
With its ample armrests and sturdy but comfortable slanted seat, the reclined Adirondack chair was designed by Thomas Lee for his own country home. The postwar golden age of modern patio and garden furniture production — led by the likes of Brown Jordan, Knoll, Salterini and Woodard — was decades away at the time, and there were few pieces of furniture specifically created for outdoor use.
Lee, a Massachusetts-born Harvard graduate raised in a wealthy family, was no furniture designer. He merely needed a durable, rugged chair for afternoons in the sun while he was vacationing on Lake Champlain in Westport, New York, in the summer. The amateur woodworker used just one wooden plank cut into 11 segments that were jointed together for his now-legendary seat, which is said to have been made of hemlock, hickory or basswood.
The story of the Adirondack chair continues with Lee’s friend, carpenter Harry Bunnell, covertly patenting the chair and going on to produce it as the Westport Plank chair for a growing audience over the next two decades. Over a century later, the Adirondack chair has gone through several design evolutions while maintaining its popularity and basic form with slats of wood such as pine offering comfort both indoors and out.
The widespread demand for rustic Adirondack outdoor furniture was bolstered by the turn-of-the-century establishment of rural escapes to treat diseases such as tuberculosis. The low-slung Adirondack chair became common in these places of convalescence, allowing patients to recline and breathe in the country air. It also complemented the camp-style architecture that was prevalent in the Adirondacks for recreation as well as restoration, where rugged furniture with exposed wood and minimal carving filled interiors and wide porches.
Today, Adirondack chairs are made in a range of materials and can be found around the world, from ski resorts to lakeside piers, their durability and classic form making them an enduring favorite for spending time in nature.
Find vintage Adirondack chairs, benches, lounge chairs, decorative objects, folk art and other furniture on 1stDibs.
20Thc Bar Harbor Child's Wicker Chaise Lounge
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930's Bar Harbor original painted wicker chase lounges with Sunbrella fabric ( water proof). They also are coated with nautical varnish to protect from bad weather for on a covered...
Wicker
19th C Original Salmon Painted Trendle Bed W/ Rag Rug Cushion
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc original salmon painted trendle or child's rope bed with a custom made mattress from 19thc rag rug fabric. It comes with rag rug cushions & pillows. This bed is in amazing ...
Pine
19th Century Grain Painted Paneled Wood Door
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous grain painted solid wood paneled door. Painted in the Trompe loi style to imitate rosewood or another exotic wood. Door is grain painted on one side only. Other side is ol...
Hardwood
$996Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.75 in W 17.5 in D 8 in
Mid-19th Century Child’s Grain Painted Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-19th century Benchmade child’s grain painted Miniature chest of drawers. A country piece in the American Empire style, with a step-back drawer and backsplash, above the case with...
Wood
Juan Pablo Molyneux French Tufted Chaise Lounge
Located in New York, NY
Juan Pablo Molyneux French tufted chaise lounge. The chaise lounge has loose cushions, a tufted seat with ultra-suede fabric.
Ultrasuede
$1,565
H 56 in W 32 in D 15.5 in
19th Century American Rustic Southern Pie Safe with Distressed Blue Paint
Located in Savannah, GA
A truly American Southern piece, this rustic wooden pie safe features pierced tin inserts in the double doors and on the sides. Other features include two ...
Tin
$7,500
H 33.75 in W 63 in D 11.5 in
19th Century American General Store Apothecary Grain Paint Hand Stenciling
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Beautiful 19th century general store large scale yellow pine apothecary in old surface. Found in the north eastern united states. Most likely of Pennsylvania origin. Red stain grain ...
Wood
$2,119
H 37.41 in W 27.56 in D 63 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Brown Leather Chaise Lounge Chair by Tord Björklund
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
The "Skye" chaise lounge chair designed by Tord Björklund. It features a steel frame with soft brown leather after full professional renovation. Produced in Sweden in the 1980s/late ...
Steel
Post Modern Chaise Lounge Newly Upholstered in Ivory White Bouclé
By Preview, Weiman Preview Furniture, Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Float away from the worries of the day in this luxurious post modern chaise lounge newly professionally upholstered in super soft ivory white bouclé. Sculptural form exudes a sophisticated look that's gentle and inviting. Ivory white bouclé fabric's texture is breathable and ventilates well. Cozy in winter and cool in summer. Enveloping padded comfort with a thick seat cushion layered over a descending pedestal base. So sexy from all sides, this chaise lounge is beautiful enough to float in a room. Modern. Fresh. Reminiscent of Vladimir Kagan, Milo Baughman and Adrian Pearsall's iconic amorphous designs. Nestle in with your favorite blanket and read for hours, nap, binge watch your favorite series, or shop 1stDibs on your electronic device...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Late 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Chaise Lounge
Located in New York, NY
A lovely chaise lounge crafted in the late 19th century. The design comes out of the Aesthetic Movement which began in the 1860s in England. Ebonized wood with gilt embellishment is ...
Ultrasuede, Burl, Mahogany
$2,706
H 41 in W 59 in D 23 in
Thonet, a Bentwood Chaise Lounge with Wonderful Scroll Work Details & Cane Work
By Thonet
Located in London, GB
Thonet. A bentwood chaise lounge with an adjustable back with a flowing scrollwork frame with a cane work bed. Stamped to the base with serial number and ??? - Paris retailer. Dimen...
Cane, Bentwood
Colima Steel and Upholstery Chaise Lounge
Located in Mexico City, MX
The Chaise Longue Colima is a versatile piece as it provides transparency to space with its electrostatic painted steel structure. The twisted paper cord weave and upholstery add hum...
Steel
$3,700
H 24.5 in W 43.5 in D 22.5 in
19th Century American Blanket Chest With Original Paint Decoration
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Fantastic original paint decoration on this early 19th century pin blanket chest. Probably from the Manheim, Pennsylvania area c. 1835. Featuring a two-board top opens on square hinges over a dovetailed well containing a lidded till. Raised on ball feet, with amazing unrestored paint decoration and including key. Measures 43.5" x 22.5" x 24.5". Provenance: Bradbury Antiques...
Pine, Paint
Late 19th Century Quebec Paint Decorated Plant Stand, circa 1890
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Quebec paint decorated plant stand or bucket bench, circa 1890, pine slat construction with three shelves, fluted backsplash and apron, and deli...
Pine
Custom Upholstered Platform Sleigh Bed
Located in NYC, NY
Custom upholstered platform bed with equal size footboard and headboard - creating a sleigh bed affect allowing a double-function as a lounge ...
Upholstery