MID-CENTURY MOD
The top 10 picks of timeless armchair and sofa designs by leading architects and designers of the mid-20th century modern style movement
CH 24 WISHBONE CHAIR Hans Wegner’s Wishbone Chair, designed in 1950, remains one of the most sought after designs produced by Danish brand Carl Hansen & Son. Wegner drew inspiration from portraits of Danish merchants sitting in Chinese Ming chairs.
BUTTERFLY STOOL One of the few Asian masters of design from the mid-century period, Sori Yanagi’s 1956 creation successfully combined the ideals of Japanese minimalism with the modern techniques of plywood moulding techniques popularised by Ray and Charles Eames.
UP5 CHAIR Perhaps Italian architect Gaetano Pesce’s quirkiest creation from 1969, this seat highlights the designer’s fondness for anthropomorphic shapes. Part furniture and part statement against the roles of women in society, Up5 is no doubt a conversation starter when placed in any room.
EAMES LOUNGE CHAIR AND OTTOMAN Made from molded plywood and leather, this classic combination by Charles and Ray Eames (designed in 1956) is the epitome of Mid-century modern style. Herman Miller furniture company worked with the couple to produce this design especially for the high-end furniture market.
ARMCHAIR 400 TANK The generous proportions and wide armrests make this armchair, designed by Alvar Alto in 1936, an instant favourite among homeowners who value the level of comfort as much as a sense of style.
LC4LC4 CHAISE LONGUE UE The resresult of a collaborationation betwbetween Le Corbusierer (pictured)pictured), Pierre Jeanneretet and Charlotte Perriand in 1928,8, LC4 features adjustable polishedshed trivalent chrome plated steel frame wwith black enamel steel base. Ththe seat is upholsteredtered in ponponyskin, leather andd a specspecial beige canvas.s.
CLOVERLEAF SOFA As much an artistic installation as it is a modular seating system, the three-piece sofa set was designed by Danish design legend Verner Panton in 1969. The quirky puzzle-like form fits just as well in a modern home now as it did back then.
FOX CHAIR Danish architect Viggo Boesen’s 1936 design emphasised an organic flow throughout the rattan seat, which embraces the body. This award-winning piece sealed his standing as one of the designers to rise from the period of the “Danish golden age”.
SWAN SOFA This cosy two-seater was designed by Arne Jacobsen for the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen in 1958. The suite on the twenty-first floor that the sofa was designed for is now a must-visit site for design enthusiasts wanting to pay homage to the greatest designers of the mid-century era. The foam core of the seat can be upholstered in different colours and rests on an aluminium shaker base.