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.
Old Hickory Child's Settee in Suede Leather Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Old Hickory Child's settee in sued /leather seat & backing.The condition is very good and sturdy. Newly upholstered in suede.
Leather, Hickory
$796Sale Price|20% Off
20Thc Child's Wicker Settee/ Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Original painted wicker children's settee or love seat.The cushion is done in Sumbrella fabric.The condition is very good.
Wicker
Old Hickory Settee & Matching Side Chair ( Signed)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Signed Old Hickory settee & side chairs are in fine condition and we are having both pieces protected from bad weather protector ( boat varnish ). The settee & side chair are ...
Hickory
Rattan Settee with Schumacher Fabric Cushions, 1920s
Located in Stamford, CT
1920s Adirondack stylish rattan loveseat. Cushions fabricated in a Schumacher fabric.
Rattan
Vintage Old Hickory Hoop Settee with Woven Rattan Back and Seat
By Hickory Manufacturing Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Old Hickory hoop settee from the mid 20th century with woven rattan back and seat. This mid-20th-century Old Hickory hoop settee is a rustic masterpiece that seamlessly blends nat...
Wood, Rattan
Danish Settee
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Danish settee upholstered in beige linen, with piping along all the edges, including the rolled arms, and mahogany legs. Seat has eight-way hand tied springs in good condition. T...
Linen, Mahogany
Vintage Wicker Settee
Located in Pasadena, CA
The perfect spot for an afternoon read or sharing tea for two. This lovely vintage wicker settee has been newly painted in a soothing blue/grey ...
Linen, Wicker
Vintage French Style Pine Bench Settee With Rope Rattan Has Cushion
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage French Style Pine Bench Settee Rattan Cushion 3-Seater Farmhouse Brown French-style pine bench settee with rope rattan is a beautiful piece that embodies the charm of French...
Rattan
19thc Louis XVI Carved Fruitwood Settee with Needlepoint Upholstery
Located in Savannah, GA
This lovely 19th century French Louis XVI style carved fruitwood settee features a floral cartouche at the crest and at the bottom front corners. The back and bottom of the settee ar...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 48 in D 22 in
Arts and Crafts Settee Bench signed Gustav Stickley c 1905 -1912
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional, rare signed Mission, Arts and Crafts, Gustav Stickley settee, bench in original condition. The bench features a slatted back, and drop in, inner spring cushion ( needs reupholstery ). The wood frame is in original finish, and is fully and correctly marked with an early red clamp mark, please see images. We have had many pieces of Stickley furniture, this is the first time we have seen this rare form. Similar to Model 219...
Upholstery, Oak
Edwardian Mahogany Two Seater Sofa Settee
Located in Altrincham, GB
Edwardian Mahogany 2 Seater Sofa with Lyre Central Panel, Satinwood and Ebony Inlays with Sheraton Style Square Tapered Legs - 37"w x 20"d x 32"h (16" to the seat)
Mahogany
Old Hickory Adirondack Style Rocking Chair
Located in Freehold, NJ
This old Adirondack style chair features rustic bent hickory wood construction, caned seat, and rocking base. Dimensions: 27w 31d 33h 17sh 27ah Condition notes: Chair itself is in ...
Rush, Hickory
Italian Mohair Settee Sofa, Brown, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful mohair upholstered curved sofa with wooden legs. Perfect shape and size. In excellent condition, 1950s, Italy. Same era as: Ch...
Mohair, Wood
Heywood Bros. Victorian Wicker Settee with Arched Back, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian natural wicker lovrseat with arched fan shaped back and scrolled arms with ball and stick uprights above a woven seat. (HEYWOOD BROS. WAKEFIELD CO.)
Wicker
Swedish Art Moderne Settee Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautifully stylized Art Moderne Settee Sofa Loveseat from 1940's Sweden. Upholstered in original cherry red velvet. Price includes reupholstery in COM fa...
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Coastal Brighton Pavilion Bamboo and Cane Settee Sofa
By Brunschwig & Fils, Brighton Pavilion 1
Located in Southampton, NJ
Fabulous burnt bamboo British Colonial style Brighton Pavilion settee with new custom seat & down filled back cushion in delightful Brunschwig & Fils Upholstery. The settee features ...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
19th C Early Windsor Settee from New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Early hand made New England Windsor settle / bench in fine condition.This surface has such an amazing patina.The Windsor benches are very rare to find. When you see them they a...
Wood
Old Hickory, two seat glider, rustic log frame with rettan
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Buchanan, MI
Old Hickory, two seat glider, rustic log frame with rettan Great color, scale and pattination. Pristine condition
Rattan, Hickory
1930s old Hickory Settee/ Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Old hickory Settee in a dark brown finish. Settee has a beautiful rich color throughout the wood and rattan seats. The backing is made from wooden rungs. The settee is made from old...
Hickory
Antique Adirondack Old Hickory Stick Form & Splint Settee C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured*** Antique Adirondack Old Hickory Stick Form & Splint Sette...
Hickory, Wood
American Designer, Mid-Century Modern, Wicker Settee, USA, 1970s
Located in Stamford, CT
American Designer, Mid-Century Modern, Wicker Settee, USA, 1970s Settee of hump back form with double diamond back design in good condition. Minor breaks in wicker. Price well below...
Wicker
19thc PA Folk Art Hickory Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Hand made folky twig & log settee from Pennsylvania.This settee is in fine sturdy condition.Fantastic example of folk art furniture.It was found on a farmhouse porch in Lancast...
Hickory
20Thc Old Hickory Day Bed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This handsome hickory pole daybed has flared ends and spindled side rails. When topped with a thick piece of foam and pillows (as shown in final photos, not included) it makes a nice sitting bench or cot as a stylish addition to a room’s furniture array. Made by Rustic Hickory Furniture...
Hickory
1940s Old Hickory Marysville Settee Stamped
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Marysville old hickory settee. Stamp is present on hickory. Very comfortable, Great condition. Would be look nice in a country home or Ranch home
Rattan, Hickory
19th Century Paint Decorated Settle from Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century original paint decorated settle bench from Pennsylvania. This amazing settle was found in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and came from a Philadelphia estate. The surface is ...
Wood, Paint
20thc Bar Harbor Wicker Settee & Chair Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Haywood Wakefield original white painted wicker settee & matching arm chair. This amazing original white wicker set is in fine & very strong and...
Wicker
19th C Birdseye Maple Daybed/Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 19th C Birdseye Maple Daybed/Settee. Pristine condition. Upholstered in A beautiful Chenille with custom made pillows with down and feather inserts. This piece would be nic...
Wood, Birdseye Maple
Large Whited Painted Old Hickory Settee/Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
White painted old hickory settee/bench.
Hickory