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 Twig Loveseat, Barked Design, Circa 1900
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
19th Century American Rustic Adirondack Loveseat in Bent Willow & Twig
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
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
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
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Settee Loveseat Bench by Salterini
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
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
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
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Settee Loveseat
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Stylish wrought iron garden, patio poolside settee loveseat, attributed to Salterini. Clean, ready to use condition, currently in later white paint finish which shows some wear, norm...
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Loveseat
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Loveseat. Offered is a beautiful antique French Louis XVI style or French Empire style loveseat or petit cana...
Linen, Wood
$3,450
H 43 in W 53.5 in D 27.75 in
Red Leather Wingback Chesterfield Loveseat Double Chair, England circa 1960
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the deep red color of the vintage leather that captures your attention in this wonderful wingback Chesterfield loveseat or "double chair." It has the traditional tufted buttone...
Leather, Wood
$5,334
H 28.35 in W 52.76 in D 46.46 in
VERSACE ILIAN RACHOV DESIGNED ADJUSTABLE ARMCHAiR LOVESEAT PART OF SUITE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this extremely well made Ilian Rachov Designed for Versace Italy extra large Armchair / Loveseat which is pa...
Velvet
Vintage Wicker Sofa Loveseat with Matching Chair and Ottoman
Located in Sheffield, MA
Contemporary white washed wicker sofa/loveseat with matching lounging armchair and ottoman. Great for porch, patio or garden room. Armchair measures: 34 x 33 x 30 inches. Rattan, s...
Wicker
De Sede DS44 Loveseat in Nutmeg Leather, Swiss Design, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Swiss manufacturer De Sede in the 1970s, the DS44 two-seat sofa is upholstered in thick nutmeg leather with vertical channel stitching running across the seat, backrest, ...
Leather
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Loveseat Welcome Bench
By Woodard Furniture Co., Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Charming wrought iron loveseat, with Welcome worked into the backrest. The Bech is in good, original, condition, showing allover rust patina tenth finish, we can include the seat cus...
Wrought Iron
A Loveseat Designed by Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
A contemporary design loveseat by Milo Baughman (1923 - 2003). With fully upholstered back, a single loose seat cushion and two loose back cushions. The rectangular frame having chro...
Chrome
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