Never has plywood made me weak in the knees like the Cherner Armchair, designed by Norman Cherner in 1958. The popularity of the chairs has grown since 1999 when the Cherner Chair Company began using the original prototypes to recreate this MCM classic. Owning one of these armchairs is a mid-century modern lover's dream come true.
In an unfortunate contradiction to Cherner's belief that good design should be affordable, these new models will cost you a pretty penny. Still, the beauty of the molded plywood and solid bent wood construction can't be denied, even if it must be admired from afar.
What might be lesser known than the beautiful curves of the chair is that Cherner Chair Company continues to manufacture all of their chairs in the United States while maintaining a commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of their products. Wood is from sustainably managed forests while the steel is 100% recyclable and made of 25% recycled content.
The Cherner Armchair is available for purchase from hivemodern and nestliving.
(Image credits: top - Design Within Reach, middle - hivemodern.com, bottom - Light Locations)
© 2010 Apartment Therapy
I inherited six Cherner chairs from my grandfather - no one in my family had any interest in the "stiff", "uncomfortable" chairs that surrounded my grandparents' custom 1960s birdseye maple dining table (which nearly killed my husband to move).
All the better for me - these chairs look good from every angle!!! I feel almost sheepish having them in my house, especially around people who know MCM furniture (and hence their high price point). They are gorgeous...and comfortable (despite what my family says).
view hurly03's profile
They are really, really gorgeous.
view sally305's profile
I find it a pity that the company doesn't go a bit more by what the actual designer's philosophy is, that it should be affordable. Instead they took the man's design and are making a large profit from it, because I can't imagine that it costs them more than $200 to produce this chair.
If I'd want to spend almost 1k for a chair, it would be more solid wood and with a beautiful fabric and upholstery. I'd rather spend that money on a gorgeous Louis chair.
This chair is beautiful, but I would not spend more than $400 for it.
view Aster's profile
Aster,
I agree the chair is expensive, but Cherner is a small company compared with companies such as Vitra, Herman Miller, Knoll. The chairs are actually made in Michigan by the same people who make the Eames molded ply for Herman Miller. They need a higher margin to sustain business, afterall they are making a company out of one chair (they have expanded to several tables, and recently launched another line of some of Cherner's earlier work). Even if the chair costs $200 to make, many times you'll see a 60% margin...meaning the item is 3 times what it costs to manufacture. So that would make these $600 each. Would you spend above your $400 budget if it were $200 more? Anyway, the best way is to buy vintage....I've seen these go for as little as $300 on CL. Good luck in finding one, it is a fantastic chair.
view creativereact's profile
Ahhhh Dexter Morgan has one of these chairs in his living room and I have been meaning to find out what it was for the longest time. Thank you for posting this!!
view baryl5555's profile
I was just on the Cherner site, and it you click "special offers" they are selling floor models at great prices!
view Toker's profile
Chairs have interesting personalities. This Cherner chair reminds me of a yoga devotee. It should come with a water bottle and a rolled up mat.
view ebanfield's profile
I love that chandelier. Where oh where did you find it? :)
view dearly's profile
The chandelier is a Giogali Chandelier available at Design Within Reach: http://www.dwr.com/product/lighting/ceiling/chandeliers/giogali-chandelier.do?sortby=ourPicks
view Jess Watson's profile
Thank you!
view dearly's profile