Legendary architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe once said that it was easier to design a skyscraper than a beautiful chair. In many ways, he was right. The modern chair is a masterpiece of engineering; appealing to our aesthetic idiosyncrasies yet ergonomic enough to support us through the day. Yet we’ve found that it’s precisely because of its difficulty that so many talented designers are drawn to this task. Without further ado, here are five of our most popular contemporary dining chairs…
The Rule of Three
Good things come in three — or, at least, they do in the world of Juliana Lima Vasconcellos. With its triangular shaped back and sculptural legs, the Giraffe Chair cuts a striking silhouette in modern dining rooms, every bit as graceful as the animal of its namesake. Much of the Giraffe’s playfulness can be attributed to the unusual decision to opt for three rather than four legs — a move that puts Vasconcellos in the camp of designers enamoured by the rule of three.
Full Circle
The Baba Chair is an ode to roundness and visual comfort of circles — a raw yet refined piece that embodies designer Emmanuelle Simon’s wabi-sabi aesthetic. A bestseller ever since its inception, it sees two donut-like cushions carefully positioned to ensure absolute snugness.
All Tied Up
With its curvy mahogany back and elegant fastenings, you could be forgiven for thinking that the Fin Chair was a Carlo Scarpa creation — so rich and timeless is the overall silhouette. Contemporary collectors, however, will recognise it as a Giancarlo Valle piece — a fabulously talented architect-cum-designer who’s warm, whimsical style is making waves in Manhattan. Its artfully curved back resembles a beautiful bow, held in place by a pair of ornately carved fastenings. A playful addition to any dining setting.
Fair & Square
Clean-cut and classic, the Cuba Chair pays homage to Italian craft culture with its boxy lines and bespoke upholstery. The silhouette is oddly satisfying too, a compilation of cubes that seem to slot effortlessly together. Designed by the talented team at Dimoremilano, it perfectly encapsulates their lush, lavish Italian aesthetic.
In Search of Simplicity
It was Leonardo Da Vinci who first described simplicity as the ultimate sophistication. It’s a philosophy that percolates through the work of Victoria Magniant — a celebrated French designer with a keen ecological streak. Among her array of pared-back pieces is the Daiku chair, a lithe yet soulful piece that celebrates the fluidity of finely crafted wood furniture. At Invisible Collection, we’ve long been enamoured with the high art of dining. Discover everything you need to lay a table you love online or in our showrooms around the globe.
