Modern Icons: Eero Saarinen's Executive Chair
Classic, Comfy Chairs Add Big Mid-Century Style to the Dining Room
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More »
As far back as 1937, Eero Saarinen and his pal Charles Eames were working with fiberglass to create chairs that worked with the body to provide comfort. All of this ergonomic research eventually resulted in Saarinen's Executive Collection for Knoll in 1957. Choices include chairs with tubular or wood legs, with arms and without, and even a few office chairs. Of them all, the wood-leg armchair version seems most popular among Houzz designers. Let's take a look at how these curvy chairs have added big Mid-Century Modern style to today's designs.
| Here the wood-legged Executive armchairs are paired with the Saarinen tulip table. The choice of a black table plays well off the oversized artwork. Private Comment
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Because of its successful combination of form and function, the chair won the Museum of Modern Art Award and the West Germany Federal Award for Industrial Design in 1969.
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| Sometimes when it comes to sunporches, I cannot imagine beyond wicker furniture, but the upholsterd chairs just work here. The light table surface matches the chair legs and light flooring. The massive vase with the large branch helps create even stronger relationship with the great outdoors.
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The table was designed by Eero's pal Florence Knoll. Interestingly enough, it was also designed for executives, as she intended to modernize office furniture. |
| The chairs can also fit right into an all-white kitchen. Note how the armless version of the chairs take up less space and can tuck right under the table. This helps save space and keep the view out those large glass doors as open as possible.
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Another icon in this room we've covered is the Logico Lamp; this is the ceiling mounted version. |
| Here this toasty upholstery works well with the wood floor and the darker wood legs; as the eye goes up toward the ceiling, everything gets lighter and whiter, all the way up to the oversized Random Light. Private Comment
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| I about fell off my chair last week when Houzz Contributor Vanessa Brunner featured this incredibly curated Eichler home. It includes other modern icons like the PH5 Light and the George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa. Private Comment
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| It's just so good; let's check out these chairs out from one more angle! Oh, and from here it's easier to see that these chairs have the tubular metal legs, which coordinate well with the table base and other finishes in this home.
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By the way, when looking for the real deal, make sure these chairs are Knoll. Of course, you can find gently used and vintage versions on sites like eBay and 1stdibs. Next: 3 Executive chairs and sources |
The armchair also makes a great deskchair, but sometimes we want wheels! This version has casters so you can zoom around the room in your iconic chair.
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There's no rule that says you have to surround the table with the armchair version. This is the side chair with tubular metal legs version; perhaps you'll put these down the long sides of a dining room table and use the arm chairs for the host and hostess. Personally, I'd keep the legs consistent though, whether I chose tubular or wood, and perhaps switch up the upholstery so that the armchairs and side chairs are different.
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This version has a plastic back and an upholstered seat. I love the contrast but I think the upholstered versions are probably more comfortable.
More ideabooks: See more modern icons in home design
More photos: Get ideas from hundreds of modern dining rooms
More products: Browse more modern chairs
Private Comment
More ideabooks: See more modern icons in home design
More photos: Get ideas from hundreds of modern dining rooms
More products: Browse more modern chairs
Comments
bepsf says:
I have a pair of 70's vintage Saarinen Executive Armchairs which I had reupholstered - I think they're just about the most comforable chairs for dining ever.
13 months ago ·
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dreemer says:
Becky, I always learn so much from you. I love knowing the names of these classic pieces. Thanks so much for always educating while showing the beauty!
bepsf, I love it when someone asks a question and you answer b/c you always seem to have such exquisite taste in furniture. I wish I had these chairs! Someday, maybe *sigh*:-)
bepsf, I love it when someone asks a question and you answer b/c you always seem to have such exquisite taste in furniture. I wish I had these chairs! Someday, maybe *sigh*:-)
13 months ago ·
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bepsf says:
Becky & Dreemer:
Thanks for the compliments, but in this case I was just very lucky and patient:
I found my chairs on eBay several years back - ended up paying only $40 each + $25 shipping for them...
...they were mismatched colors and in sad shape due to age, wear and tear in their first lives - even the cushion foam was crunchy - but I found a discounted fabric on eBay as well for less than $2/yard and just held on to them until I could afford a local professional upholsterer to do the reupholstery job: I figure that I spent @ $325 total for each of them - a bargain considering they're over $900 new!
Thanks for the compliments, but in this case I was just very lucky and patient:
I found my chairs on eBay several years back - ended up paying only $40 each + $25 shipping for them...
...they were mismatched colors and in sad shape due to age, wear and tear in their first lives - even the cushion foam was crunchy - but I found a discounted fabric on eBay as well for less than $2/yard and just held on to them until I could afford a local professional upholsterer to do the reupholstery job: I figure that I spent @ $325 total for each of them - a bargain considering they're over $900 new!
13 months ago ·
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jp79 says:
Becky: thanks for educating us (or at least you are really teaching me!) on all these great "modern icons". You're really not helping me overcome my Houzz obsetion
13 months ago ·
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ellie48 says:
I agree. Becky admits to having a fetish about chairs. I did not realize that there are so many iconic chairs in the design world. There is history. You have educated me about each of the chairs, the Eames chair, the Eames lounger, the Risom chair, the Egg chair.You have highlighted so many more. You have me now appreciating these 'iconic' chair. Thank you so-ooo much.
13 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Glad to interact with some fellow chair fans! I'm trying to stretch and learn some more about light fixtures and more tables, but I keep coming back to chairs ;) I'm hoping to find some more of Flo Kno's (my new name for Florence Knoll) tables around Houzz. Obviously, they have been right under my nose all of this time, and she was so instrumental in modernizing office design.
Bepsf, I want to see a pic of your chairs - what a good score and clever hard work on your part!
Bepsf, I want to see a pic of your chairs - what a good score and clever hard work on your part!
13 months ago ·
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budgetstella says:
I have to BOAST! I picked up 6 original Saarinen Executive Chair with Wood Legs @ consignment store this weekend. I got all 6 for $98.00! They are in great condition & the upholsery is knolls! I am delighted!
2 months ago ·
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