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.
American Rustic Adirondack Bark Loveseat
Located in Queens, NY
American Rustic Adirondack loveseat of bent willow, twig & root construction with double arched barked splat back & seat (19th Cent)
Willow, Twig
American Rustic Adirondack Twig Loveseat
Located in Queens, NY
American rustic adirondack barked "cockpen" design loveseat of twig & root construction with split twig arms & seat (New York State, late 19th/20th Cent).
Twig
$3,850 / set
H 31.5 in W 41 in D 21 in
Outdoor Settee / Sofa and Pair of Chairs 'One Rocker' by John Salterini
Located in Kansas City, MO
John Salterini outdoor, patio, loveseat and pair of chairs, one being a rocking chair. Very comfortable and stylish. There are several layers of white paint on the pieces, but they s...
Steel, Wrought Iron
Pair of Tufted Loveseats
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of recently reupholstered glamorous Hollywood deco tufted loveseats This stylish pair has a tufted, tight back and rolled arms with an inset panel with two-seat cushions. The lo...
Upholstery
Garden Patio Park Loveseat Bench of Strap Steel and Wrought Iron
By Fiske Or Mott
Located in New York, NY
Charming garden, patio, or park loveseat size bench of wrought iron and strap steel. This example is in very good estate condition, sturdy, s and solid, showing only cosmetic wear t...
Wrought Iron
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
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Settee Loveseat Bench by Salterini
By Woodard Furniture Co., Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Chic wrought iron garden, patio, poolside loveseat, bench, sofa by Salterini. The sofa is in very good original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent wit...
Wrought Iron
French Antique Style Loveseat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique revival loveseat with French inspired wood carved frame and soft cushions. Decorative detailing throughout the sculpted wood frame. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Fabric, Wood
2 Pc. Garden Patio Poolside Sectional Loveseat by Meadowcraft
By Meadowcraft, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Charming two piece sectional loveseat sofa by Meadowcraft. The sofa consists of two seats, each with one armrest ( 22"H ), and when positioned together they form a loveseat. The set ...
Steel, Wrought Iron
Suelo Modern Loveseat
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® modern loveseat is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The sofa's silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and seat cushions. This ...
Hardwood
Soy Una Roca, Sculptural Concrete Seat by OPIARY
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, planters, and sculpture. Through the ethos of biophilia, our work reflects the shifting, yet timeless relationship between humans and nature. Soy Una Roca...
Concrete
Vintage French White Cast Iron Garden Loveseat or Small Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add charm to your garden with this beautiful Hollywood Regency cast iron loveseat or bench. The back of this settee / bench features decorative scrolls with hint of leaves, centered...
Iron
Italian Brass Leg Loveseat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern style sofa with rounded arms and polished brass legs. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Brass
Empire Revival Loveseat
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Empire Revival Loveseat in walnut, rootwood and ebonized wood with gilt bronze fittings. Navy upholstery with silver floral pattern.
Walnut, Wood
Vermont Tubbs Caned Snowshoe Bench Settee
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic Adirondack Vermont Tubes bent oak two seat bench settee with new custom cushions upholstered in vintage new stock blue & white striped linen. Seldom seen caned construction Signed.
Linen, Oak, Cane
Sold
H 27 in W 50 in D 35 in
Signed Ficks Reed Bamboo Campaign Loveseat John Wisner Far Horizons Collection
Located in West Hartford, CT
A coveted vintage Campaign style loveseat made by Ficks Reed and designed by John Wisner, circa 1954. Stout rattan and bamboo frame with a beautiful raffia seat back. Handsome solid metal accents mark the arms. Fabulous design, quality and craftsmanship-aged to absolute perfection. This unusual piece was part of the "Far Horizons Collection" produced by long time Ficks Reed designer John Wisner. The series was introduced in 1954. The piece is in very good condition and the fabric is original so could probably be reupholstered if you so desired. Please note we also have the matching set of Campaign chairs and the Pagoda coffee table...
Fabric, Rattan, Hardwood
2 Rustic Adirondack Root Loveseat
Located in Queens, NY
2 Similar Rustic Adirondack style (20th Cent) root loveseats with shaped filigree design back and arms with plank seat (PRICED EACH).
Wood