Top 10: Side Chairs

There are so many side chairs out there. And they run the gammut in terms of style, quality, price and comfort. These start the top ten list of stand-outs in the crowd:

• Arne Jacobsen's Ant Chair
• The Bellini Chair
• Donald Judd's uncomfortable but beautiful wood chair
• Thonet Chair No. 18
• Muji Ash Chair -regina

Comments (9)

I'm a big fan of the Emeco reissues, like Starck's Hudson chair (even though the pirce on the gorgeous polished version is prohibitive).

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2006-10-16 10:26:42

At the other end of the spectrum I'd start at CB2, where the $149 Envelope chair is a budget-friendly alternative to the Bellini:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=115&f=2384

Also like their Online chair:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=115&f=1051

And in spite of mixed reviews here, I still like the B-Pop chair from DWR:
http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=7410

And to me, no side-shair round up is complete without a Bertoia or a Cherner:

Bertoia
http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=7891

Cherner
http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=7052

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2006-10-16 10:35:10

The Maarten Van Severen .03 chair is conspicuously missing from the list... Comfort of all comforts... For me it was a toss-up of the Jacobsen Ant chair and the Van Severen... But comfort won out.

http://vitra.com/products/home/dining_room_chairs/03/default.asp?lang=us_us

posted by paul on 2006-10-16 11:04:27

I'm a big fan of Arne Jacobsen. Simplicity and clean lines are his forte. More than the Ant Chair, I like the Series 7:

http://www.arne-jacobsen.com/neobuilder.php?id=20020205123424190000002018658346

posted by DavidO on 2006-10-16 11:16:59

i've loved the Thonet #18 since i was a little girl. actually, virtually every Thonet chair i've ever come across (side or otherwise) has made me happy.

i'd also suggest the classic shaker ladderback with caned seat.

and i have a little soft spot in my heart for Ikea's Stefan.

the funny thing is that as much as i love side chairs, i've always secretly wanted a big beat up farmhouse table with benches down each side.

posted by the opoponax on 2006-10-16 11:43:43

I like the design of the Bellini, but I think it is a cheap and uncomfortable in person...also Patrick, why offer a budget alternative that costs $50 more???

posted by AMP on 2006-10-16 14:24:55

AMP--
You are correct. I sit corrected!
I was actually thinking of Bellini's Cab chair...
http://www.mossonline.com/product-exec/product_id/30499/category_id/21
for which the CB2 IS indeed a budget alternative.

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2006-10-16 14:58:03

prouve standard, yes, yes it's repro all over but i like the look any way. koi leather chair from england, any ponti chair, jacobsen oxford chair, those thonet chairs are forever beautiful,

posted by patrick on 2006-10-16 17:24:09

I'm trying to locate the Thonet Hoffmann chair or a good knock-off but can't find it on the Internet for sale. Can anybody help?
Thanks.

posted by Gina on 2007-03-11 15:10:48