Wingback chairs, although always in season, seem most appropriate in the Fall and Winter. Visions of sitting near a blazing fire, reading a favorite book – isn’t that what winter hibernating is all about?
Wingback Chairs: Traditional vs. Modern
Wingback chairs, although always in season, seem most appropriate in the Fall and Winter. Visions of sitting near a blazing fire, reading a favorite book – isn’t that what winter hibernating is all about?
Wingback chairs first made their debut in the 1700s in Europe where they quickly imported into American homes. The design of the “wings” were really to shield delicate female skin from the roaring, hot fires as well as to shield the sitter from drafts.
The design of the wingback chair hasn’t changed much until more recent times. In the 1950s and 1960s we saw modernism redefining how we experience furniture and challenging us to see the traditional form within a nontraditional style.
We’ve rounded up some traditional as well as more contemporary versions of this library room favorite.
Traditional
Top row, left to right:
1. French Upholstered Wing Chair: $1595 - $1995 at Restoration Hardware
2. Chelsea Wing Chair: $1250 - $2550 at Williams Sonoma Home
3. Thurston Wing Chair: $699 - $955 at Ballard Designs
4. Whitman Wingback Chair: $1099 at Crate & Barrel
5. Gates Chair: $699 at West Elm
Modern
Bottom row, left to right:
1. Peekaboo Wing Chair by Bla Station: see website for details at Connox
2. Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair: $5934 at Hive Modern
3. Wingback Chair by Tom Dixon for George Smith: see website for details
4. Moroso Take a Line For A Walk: $5395 at Velocity
5. Corsica Club Chair by John Hutton for Holly Hunt: see website for details at Holly Hunt
For a great visual history of the wingback chair, visit Designboom
Comments (14)
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I agree - they do seem the most cushy and welcoming just around fall and winter! I found a really cool one that is upholstered in re-purposed south american tarp that would fit in with your round-up: http://bloomacious.org/2009/10/fair-trade-furniture/
view carrie @ bloomacious digs's profile
I seem to drawn to these chairs. I found one in great shape on the curb, just needed upholstering...turned out really nice and is comfortable! The first one shown in linen is my favorite. That would also look interesting in an antique grain sack fabric.
view junklover's profile
the first two are lovely and look comfortable. I'd skip the rest of them, mostly because they don't have adequate arm rests ( too low)
view Aster's profile
$5K plus for the modern selections? Gaaaaa - heart attack!!!!
view criv227's profile
I Covet the Tom Dixon Chair...... if only money grew on trees..... ahhhh to dream.....
view lilipixi's profile
My Dad has two fabulous wingback chairs which belonged to my Grandparents and I have always said that they will be mine one day when I have space. They both need recovering, polishing and restuffing most likely but I can't wait to have somewhere to make use of them. I always think of my Grandparents sitting in them side-by-side.
view JMD's profile
"...delicate female skin..."
Creepy.
view clampers's profile
The wings are also nice to lean your head against when you fall asleep in your chair with your feet up on a little stool...
view bepsf's profile
You've forgotten my current object of desire, the Poppa Bear Chair.
view punkumunky's profile
The other great thing about traditional wing chairs is that they're perfect for nearly any room: Living Room, Bedroom, Office - They can even be used at the table in the Dining Room.
view bepsf's profile
The wingback is really a brilliantly designed piece.
As a child I used to sit near the fire during the winters because we had a drafty tudor. If I had had a wingback, I could have saved my precious skin from wrinkling;-)
view LydiaKutko's profile
Over 5,000 dollars for an armchair? hahahahahahahahahaha
Sometimes designers say the darndest things.
view atfan123's profile
Wow. Am I the only one whose eyes gravitate directly towards the Peakaboo Wing Chair? Ok, maybe just after a quick glance at Arne Jacobsen's masterpiece, but still. It's just brilliant.
view gomes's profile
Second the Papa Bear Chair.
view Lilli K.'s profile