Canadian Classic: Solair Chair

We have seen Solair Chairs before, but didn't know much about them. They were originally designed by Fabio Fabiano and and Michelange Panzini in Montreal in 1972. They become a popular choice for motels and as a pool side chair. Now you can get them new. Kate Eisem, an owner of INabstracto store in Toronto, and an art dealer Duncan Farman decided to revive this classic design. We love the bright colors and the simple steel base of the chair. These would be great for an outdoor patio or in a garden.

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They are stackable which is a great feature for outdoor chairs as they can be easily stored. We really like the design. You might get lucky and find a vintage version of the chair. We featured them before in our Scavenger posts here on Apartment Therapy.

The Solair chair is still in production. It is made by Industrie Émile Lachance.

We learned more about Solair chair on the Style North blog. Check it out for the more details and where you can get them in Canada.

(Images: Style North)

Comments (13)

We had an old iron and bamboo chair something like this when I was growing up. Bigger and deeper, though. Very comfy.

posted by rosenatti on July 10th 2009 at 6:54pm
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Awesome! I never knew they were Canadian. Love the colours.

posted by Rebecca_J on July 10th 2009 at 7:09pm
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huh, i'm canadian and i didn't know they were canadian either! that's just how humble we are:)

posted by evamae on July 10th 2009 at 8:00pm
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Huh! Those chairs evoke really strong memories of our annual family vacation to York Beach, Maine... a beach with a really large Quebecois tourist contingent. Interesting coincidence, or not-really-coincidence, given how close it is to Canada. Were the chairs popular throughout the US?

posted by Liana on July 11th 2009 at 12:30am
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We found some of these on the side of the road last summer. They are vintage and starting to split in the seat area - they had not been well cared for - but we love them all the same! Glad to know their history : )

posted by Jerusalem on July 11th 2009 at 12:45am
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I love the effect of the multiple yellow chairs in the motel pic. It looks so happy!

posted by gryt on July 11th 2009 at 11:23am
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I love these. I have two in blue (old one from my grandparents; new one bought in a store on Queen W), but I want them in yellow now that I've seen these...

posted by Bork Bork Bork on July 11th 2009 at 11:58am
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We had 8 of these around my parents pool in the early 1970's in different colours. Blue, green, red and yellow.

They all did split after 15 years of outdoor use.

It was really hard to install the plastic seat to the metal frame. That was a pain in the ass.

Winnipeg, MB.

posted by LaurieLu on July 11th 2009 at 12:53pm
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I'm trying to figure out how they stack. ?

posted by jyw on July 12th 2009 at 2:58pm
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The chairs have to be disassembled for stacking; then the saucers sit inside each other, same with the stands.

posted by ChrisToronto on July 13th 2009 at 7:46am
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I would love to have them on my balcony.

posted by souk1501 on July 13th 2009 at 11:49am
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Bravo Kate (Eisen)!

posted by brocktontriangle on July 17th 2009 at 10:13pm
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Now available on the West Coast!!! New sales representative on Vancouver Island. Fun and cool colors available for quick pick-up or delivery. New merchandise coming in August. Just contact me: claire@iel-lachance.com

posted by Claire66 on August 13th 2009 at 5:28pm
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