Furniture evolves. Shapes, profiles, finishes, and upholstery change. However, every now and then certain pieces resonate with home owners and outlast the current trend. Those pieces that survive the test of time are copied and adapted and become mainstream icons.
Iconic Chairs
One of the ways to tell if a design has become classic or iconic is how many knock-offs are available. Many of the following styles will look familiar to you as you’ve undoubtedly seen similar styles (in all price ranges) at furniture stores or in magazines. Although usually not by the original designer or a licensed seller, the style is faithful in appearance to the original, making it affordable for many people.
Designer Arne Jacobsen
Tulip chairs and table by Eero Saarinen
The Eames (Charles & Ray) rocker. Photo via HouseAndHome.com
Barcelona chair by Mies van der Rohe
The Wassily chair by Marcel Breuer
Even though it was designed in 1925, the lines of this chair have become a classic and the style is often seen in modern or contemporary room styles.
Leather lounger designed by Charles le Corbusier
Eames lounge chair
Other Iconic Furniture Pieces
Coffee table designed by Isamu Noguchi
Side table by Eileen Grey
As you scrolled through these images, I’m sure many look familiar to you. Though you might not recognize the designer’s name, they are all major furniture designers or architects who also designed furnishings for homes they built. While most of these designs are more comfortable in modern (or mid-century) homes, many of them are classic enough in their styling to work well in traditional or eclectic homes as accent pieces.
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Wow, this was a short but rather fantastic read. I’m recommending your blog to my friends, thank you!
Hey thanks! Really great article, really enjoyed it!
Hey thanks for sharing well i have one of these type chair in my house my grandfather bring that, he used to collect some unique and iconic things.
Never realized knock offs are a measure of success. Of course when focusing on the home, it bothers me that everyone prefers to place it safe with yesterday … so how will we arrive at tomorrow. Think about front doors – they made lots of sense when people walked along the street and rang the doorbell, i.e. before massive highways and the automobile industry started running this country. Now we have unused front hall closets and need mudrooms by the read/side door for all the family outdoor coats, boots & such. Seems a bit silly.
PS Found you because of the bathtub article – I’m a shower person! but couldn’t leave that comment on the bathtub post.