Modern Icons: Hans Wegner Chairs
Papa Bear, Wishbone, Round Chair and CH28 Help Define Mid-Century Style
Hans J. Wegner began his career as a cabinetmaker, then moved on to designing furniture in Arne Jacobsen's architectural practice. From there he became a chair master with his own furniture studio, and his pieces have helped to define Mid-Century Modern. Those of you who read my ideabooks know that I am a chair fanatic, and I'm not sure there was ever a better chair designer out there than Mr. Wegner. In fact, I even read somewhere that he was so thorough about making sure his designs were perfect that a Danish King waited a very long time to receive a chair, because Wegner was testing it out at home — for two years. Now that's what I call commitment to one's craft, and it's one of the many reasons this chair genius turned out great design after great design. Here are just a few of his chairs that are popular with Houzz designers.
...and in the bedroom. In fact, I've read that top interior designer Vincente Wolf has one in his own bedroom. If that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is.
These Wegner chairs are great in a mix-and-match situation. I think the table and bench are Nakashima, or at least they look like they are, and the combination is balanced and beautiful.
This is Wegner's Round Chair, which is versatile enough to work in the home office and the dining room. The simple X-leg desk is also a Wegner design.
The Round Chair also looks great around a dining room table...
...and works as an elegant occasional chair in the most elegant of parlors.
The Wishbone Chair is probably the most popular Wegner chair around and is extremely versatile. I love studying the different tables and light fixtures designers have used with it in the next few shots. In fact, I MUST track down the pendants used here. Does anyone know who makes them?
Here they are in a lighter version with a Nelson Pendant Light.
The rattan seat is a signature Wishbone material. Here they work well with the very contemporary and cloud-like Logico Lamp.
They even go well with a futuristic Sputnik light.
The carefully crafted lines of the Wishbone Chair are the perfect way to introduce wood to this modern, white, Scandinavian-inspired kitchen.
Wishbone is the perfect choice for this Asian-inspired home pictured here and in the shot below. These chairs make an easy transition from dining room...
...to living room in this large open space.
I love the seat cushions this designer has chosen for this cozy and modern banquette. Yup, cozy and modern — that's tough to pull off, but Wishbone chairs help.
This three-legged shell chair is called the CH07, produced in 1963. Surprisingly, the three-legged number was not exactly a smashing success. Luckily it was given a second chance in the 1990s, and now super-chic architects and interior designers are snapping them up as fast as they can.
This is the CH28 chair, designed in 1952. Though it's made of wood, it's deceptively lounge-y due to Wegner's careful consideration of comfort.
If you are looking to buy a Wegner chair, I recommend trying Hivemodern and Design Within Reach for new chairs, and 1stdibs and eBay for vintage versions.
Also, my colleague Paul Anater has written a fantastic ideabook about Wegner that is chock-full of fun historic information.
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If you are looking to buy a Wegner chair, I recommend trying Hivemodern and Design Within Reach for new chairs, and 1stdibs and eBay for vintage versions.
Also, my colleague Paul Anater has written a fantastic ideabook about Wegner that is chock-full of fun historic information.
Next:
More modern icons
Browse more home design photos