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.
Antique Westport Chair - Thomas Lee / Harry Bunnell - 1905 Patent
By Harry Bunnell, Thomas Lee
Located in Rochester, NY
An original Westport Chair designed by Thomas Lee in 1903 and produced by his friend carpenter Harry Bunnell in 1905. This chair is one of the ...
Paint, Wood
$5,800 / set
Pair of Westport Style Adirondack Chairs
By Harry Bunnell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Westport style Adirondack chairs, circa 2000s. We had these chairs custom made for a client based on the Westport chair, which was originally designed by Thomas Lee in 1903 f...
Wood, Oak
Art Deco Stick Rattan Lounging Arm Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderful example of Art Deco stick rattan lounging armchair with beautiful large arched arms. Stick wicker, rattan, bamboo, lounge chair, arm chair, club chair. Arm h: 24 Seat...
Wicker
$4,600Sale Price|20% Off
Antler Throne Chair in the Style of Arthur Court.
Located in Chicago, IL
Authentic antler chair. The same form as the cast and patinated enamel aluminum antler chair by Arthur Court. The last three photos are of an Arthur Court Aluminum Antler chair that ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern "Acacia" Lounge Chair in Resin by Zachary A. Design
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Cast Resin, Stobe aggregate and fiberglass. Carved Adirondack style stump chair in White. Cast from an actual tree stump. Fantastic looking and will definitely make you thin...
Stone
Adirondack Old Hickory Style Tree Branch Wood Frame Rattan Lounge Chairs a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Adirondack Old Hickory Style Tree Branch Wood Frame Rattan Lounge Chairs a Pa...
Rattan, Wood
Near Pair of Woodard Sculptura Lounge Armchairs Restored
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Restored near pair of Sculptura armchair lounge chairs. Totally cleaned down and powder coated silver with new plastic floor glides. Sold as a set (2) One chair is slightly smaller ...
Iron
Cast Resin 'Stone' Dining Chair by Zachary A. Design
Located in Chicago, IL
Classic longevity. Surprising comfort. Dimensions: Width 17 in. (43.2 cm), depth 20 in. (50.8 cm), height 33 in. (83.8 cm). Weight 35 lbs. (15.8 kg). No assembly required. Material...
Resin, Fiberglass
French Art Deco Chairs and Armchairs, circa 1940s
By René Prou
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very elegant set comprising two chairs and two armchairs, made of wrought iron, with scrolling and curlicue motifs, raised on cabriole legs. Seats in bright, yellow canvas (outdoors)...
Wrought Iron
Harry Bertoia Bird Chair w/ Ottoman for Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A unique Mid Century Bird lounge chair with matching ottoman called that because of it's nest like seat design by Harry Bertoia , sculptor , artist and furniture craftsman . Bertoia ...
Wire
Vintage Stick Rattan Lounge Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional pair of vintage lounge chairs captures the quintessence of mid-century tropical luxury. Featuring a classic barrel-back silhouette, the frames are expertly construct...
Rattan, Paint, Fabric
Vintage Bent Rattan Lounge Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant pair of vintage lounge chairs is a sculptural masterclass in organic Mid-Century Modern design. Expertly crafted from thick bent rattan, the chairs feature a distinctive...
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed
Pair of Thomas Pheasant for Baker Max Tufted Club Chairs
By Thomas Pheasant, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Hollywood modern pair of large max club chairs or lounge chairs designed by Thomas Pheasant for Baker. The chairs feature a large hardwood frame with slightly different but complemen...
Brass
Kipp Stewart Aluminum Patio Lounge Chair for Terra
By Terra, Kipp Stewart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair by Kipp Stewart for Terra of California, USA, c.1970s. The lounge chair features an aluminum tube frame with applied faux patina and new cotton rope that has been woven ...
Aluminum
Vintage Boho Bent Rattan Lounge Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant pair of vintage lounge chairs captures the quintessence of 1970s Boho Chic and Mid-Century Modern design. Expertly handcrafted from hand-bent rattan, each chair features...
Wicker, Rattan
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Located in Raleigh, NC
Low profile and extremely comfortable pair of Jens Risom style lounge chairs. Soft velvet upholstery with contrasting black wood frame.
Upholstery, Hardwood
$2,072Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 34 in W 43 in D 41 in
Oversized Lounge Chairs by HICKORY CHAIR - Set of 2
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Velvet
Pair of Hickory Chair Pearson Lounge Chairs and Ottomans
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair of Sabre lounge chairs from the Pearson Upholstery Collection by Hickory Chair, model PE422-00. The chairs feature slim arms, a tight raised back and spring-down seat cushion th...
Fabric, Wood
Early Adirondack Lounge Chair
Located in Doylestown, PA
A great early 20th century Adirondack lounge chair in original pale green painted finish, the design reminiscent of the Westport chair. Circa 1920. Sturdy and nicely constructed. Whi...
Wood
Old Hickory Lounge Chair W/ Suede Upholstered in Suede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This signed Old Hickory Furniture Company from Martinsville ,Indiana and is in fine condition.The suede seat & back was recently upholstered in suede / leather. Super comfortable an...
Hickory
Reclining Morris Style Lounge Chair Carved Oak Circa. 1950's
Located in Fulton, CA
Unusual European carved oak reclining lounge chair with original Turkish rug style upholstery. Circa. 1950's. Crafted in solid oak with 3 adjustable positions. Metal rod makes adjust...
Oak
Studio Lounge 'No. 3 Chair' & Ottoman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
A new interior seating piece, reminiscent of an ultimately-refined adirondack chair. This lounge and ottoman have been handmade using old growth black walnut, finished in oil. T...
Leather, Walnut
Carl Koch for Vermont Tubbs Sno Shu Chair, Circa 1950s
By Vermont Tubbs Furniture, Carl Koch
Located in Peabody, MA
Circa 1950s rawhide woven Adirondack style chair by Vermont Tubbs Snowshoe company designed by Gropius trained architect Carl Koch for his Tech...
Hide, Wood
20th C Adirondack Chairs, Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful pair of 20thc Adirondack arm chairs. Great color. We had these re- tightened for strength. These are comfortable and amazing to sit on. Great for outdoor or around a pool a...
Wood
Sold
H 34 in W 35 in D 41 in
Rare Marc Taggart Top Grain Black Leather and Burl Walnut Chair and Ottoman
By Roycroft
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Marc Taggart Made this chair and matching ottoman. They are still making these chairs today. The chair is made of douglas fir and has genuine top-grain bl...
Leather, Fir
Original Westport Chair by Thomas Lee and Harry Bunnell
By Harry Bunnell, Thomas Lee
Located in New York, NY
Rare Adirondack Westport chair, designed by Thomas Lee and executed by Harry Bunnell. This example is in very good original condition, showing only expe...
Wood
Set of Hand-Crafted Garden Adirondack Lounge Chairs
Located in Antwerp, BE
Garden arm chair Mid-Century Modern Deckchairs; Adirondack chair; lounge chair: garden chair The Adirondack chair is an outdoor lounge chair with wide armrests, a tall slatted ba...
Wood
Adirondack Folding Deck Lounge Chair with Leather Seat
Located in Astoria, NY
Antique Adirondack folding deck lounge chair in wood with leather seat. Measures: 30” H x 22.5” W x 31.5” D.
Leather, Wood
Black Stick Wicker Armchair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vintage rattan stick wicker, split reed armchair. Great for porch or patio.
Wicker
Pair of Adirondack Old Hickory Chairs with Split Reed Seats Backs
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of old hickory indoor outdoor lounge chairs with split reed backs and seats. Cushions for the chairs are supplied as pictured. Chairs are not old and have virtually no ...
Hickory, Reed