What’s better than a well-designed chair? It has to be a matching ottoman, of course, especially when comfort is your top-most priority. The following designers kept this in mind, and created some of the most iconic chairs and ottomans of all time.
Contour Low back Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Vladimir Kagan, 1953
Rather than simply calling them chairs, Vladimir Kagan often referred to his designs as “vessels to hold the human body.” He was born in Germany in 1927, and later immigrated to the US at the age of 11.
His father was passionate about crafting things by hand, and eventually he passed this trait onto Kagan. When he combined this trait with his hunger for discovery and innovative ideas, he soon became one of the most influential designers of mid century modern design.
The Contour Low Back Chair was designed to provide optimal back support, incorporating soft but firm cushion padding while keeping the body’s natural curves in mind. The base shape is a Kagan classic, crafted using dark, walnut wood, which is then sanded and polished to perfection. Much like the chair, the ottoman was designed around the natural curve of one’s legs.
Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles & Ray Eames, 1956
The Lounge Chair was initially inspired by the Club Chair. Since its release, it has been known as a symbol of comfort across the globe. The idea behind the chair was to create a sense of warmth and familiarity, inspired by a baseman’s very first, well-loved mitt. This was achieved through soft leather upholstery and covered buttons.
For the seat and ottoman shell, they used moulded plywood with a satin clear lacquer finish. Both bases were designed using aluminium and a flat baked enamel underside. The upholstery was filled with feathers and down, around a block of foam rubber. The back cushions were built to be interchangeable if ever the need arose.
Although the Lounge Chair and Ottoman aren’t exactly inexpensive, the couple originally created their pieces with the hopes and belief that everyone should be able to afford solid, well-designed, quality furniture that would last.
Ox Chair and Ottoman by Hans Wegner, 1960
Over the course of his career, Hans Wegner designed at least 500 chairs, of which the Ox Chair was one of the most iconic. He was known for his ability to combine poetry with his love of woodwork. Made to invoke the image of an ox – both its horns and body – this chair makes for a sculptural masterpiece that’s hard to miss.
Wegner’s bold designs stood in contrast to the minimalist designs of his era, and are as adored today as they were back then. Originally, each chair was made by hand and upholstered in wool. Today, it can be upholstered in either leather or fabric. The base is made using stainless steel. Mirroring the Ox Chair’s beauty, the Ox Ottoman makes for the perfect accessory.
Corona Chair and Ottoman by Poul Volther, 1961
After the Second World War, resources were low. To combat this, Poul Volther designed the Corona Chair to use as little material as possible. He achieved this by creating a backrest of 3 separate pieces, all spaced out and joined by a stainless steel frame. The fourth shell creates the seat, while a single shell is used for the ottoman. The design was a breakthrough success for its time.
The name was inspired by the corona shape surrounding a solar eclipse, although the shape is also reminiscent of the human spine and ribs. The chair and ottoman are upholstered in leather and come with a stainless steel base. The chair itself has a swivel mechanism. The cushions are created with moulded plywood and soft cushioning.
