Bertoia Chairs: Well Worth the Waffle Butt
"If you look at these chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculpture. Space passes right through them." -Harry Bertoia
Wow, what can I really add to that? I am obsessed with chairs, and in particular with Harry Bertoia's wire chairs, originally designed for Knoll in the 1950's. The diamond-back version is probably the most iconic of the five styles, but I have to say, no matter what the shape, I salivate over any of them.
Bertoia chairs are very popular in clean modern designs, but they also work well in almost any sort of eclectic combination of eras and styles. Because they are, as he so beautifully put it, "mostly air," they provide a comfortable seat without hogging up too much area in a small space.
My favorite Bertoia use of all time is in one of, if not the greatest, pocket park in the world, Paley Park in New York City. The gridded pattern works so well with the sculptural locust trees and the strong vertical waterwall in the space. Thanks to doorsixteen* for sharing this great shot on flickr.
WARNING: While these chairs are comfortable, if you happen to sit on one without a pad or full cover, you will likely suffer from Waffle Butt when you stand up. Waffle Butt is when you get a waffle pattern on your skin from a surface.
*If you haven't yet discovered http://www.doorsixteen.com/, it's a great blog that follows design through the lens of her personal home renovation.
Wow, what can I really add to that? I am obsessed with chairs, and in particular with Harry Bertoia's wire chairs, originally designed for Knoll in the 1950's. The diamond-back version is probably the most iconic of the five styles, but I have to say, no matter what the shape, I salivate over any of them.
Bertoia chairs are very popular in clean modern designs, but they also work well in almost any sort of eclectic combination of eras and styles. Because they are, as he so beautifully put it, "mostly air," they provide a comfortable seat without hogging up too much area in a small space.
My favorite Bertoia use of all time is in one of, if not the greatest, pocket park in the world, Paley Park in New York City. The gridded pattern works so well with the sculptural locust trees and the strong vertical waterwall in the space. Thanks to doorsixteen* for sharing this great shot on flickr.
WARNING: While these chairs are comfortable, if you happen to sit on one without a pad or full cover, you will likely suffer from Waffle Butt when you stand up. Waffle Butt is when you get a waffle pattern on your skin from a surface.
*If you haven't yet discovered http://www.doorsixteen.com/, it's a great blog that follows design through the lens of her personal home renovation.
Here are the iconic chairs in Paley Park. (From flickr member doorsixteen)
These Bertoias occupy a space of honor in The Museum of Modern Art. (From flickr member idanderson)
This is a great example of how the modern Bertoias can work well with a cottage style. The mix of vintage and modern here is ideal.
There is a great play here between the tiles and the chair pattern.
These black Bertoias work well with the black window trim.
Steel, Concrete, and Wood. The chairs are the only non-linear shape in this space.
These steel barstools are unobtrusive in the tight space.
This shot is a pefect example of how the "air" in the chair lets the rest of the room show right through.