I inherited my mom's "black leather chair" & matching footstool that she so cherished. In trying to ID it, I found that it looks almost identical to Ikea's Poang chair. However, my chair was purchased in the 1970's so it must be an original - the Poang was introduced in 1976 according to my research. But who sold them as Ikea wasn't in the US at that time? And I wonder if it came with with leather covers? So the original Poang chair and footstool was imported (by whom?) & probably expensive due to the leather.(my parents had expensive taste & I also inherited Aalto's secretary desk #802 and 2 stools from the mid-century that my folks bought in Chicago between 1947 & 1954) You can imagine my surprise when I found that mom's chair is possibly Ikea! (I was thinking it might be Aalto or Artek, but nothing thus far points to that) The vintage Poang chair fit in well with the graceful, yet simple curves of the Aalto desk and stools. I'll bet Ikea got it's inspiration for the Poang from Aalto!
Can anyone confirm whether the Poang was sold with leather when it first appeared in 1976? And is there any value at this point? I would like to add photos of the chair and my Aalto items if anyone is interested, but not sure how to do that... The following is a partial list of chair types, with internal or external cross-references about most of the chairs. Barrel chair, c. 1465, Raversijde, Belgium An example of Elijah's chair, used at Jewish circumcisions A reproduction Glastonbury chair in the Bishop's Palace, Wells High chair by Cosco, 1957 "Pop" (2005), A whimsical variation of a patio chair by the American industrial designer Brad AscalonThe American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. Curling up with a good book is a pleasure that few of us get to enjoy in this hectic, always-on, perpetually-connected, 24-hour-news-cycle world. Readers rarely can take the time to savor the words of great minds, or even just enjoy the mental saccharine of popular brain candy books;
be they trashy romance or outrageous thrillers. Worse, even when we get to finally sit and relax with our favorite tome, too often discomfort can spoil the experience, leaving us happy with the literature, but suffering from the tortuous pain of a bad reading chair.If you’re one of the bibliomaniacs out there who is developing bad posture from the wrong sitting apparatus, perhaps we can be of assistance with the 18 best reading chairs.Minimal Expense: Seeing is believing when it comes to the POÄNG series of furniture from IKEA. Deceptively cheap, it’s easy to dismiss these pieces, but once you try out the bentwood frames in your choice of rocker or standard, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the comfort, and downright shocked at how elegant they look in person. Made in your choice of fabric or leather, there’s no downside to be had. [Amazing setup by Katy at TheCleverBunny]Dauntless: Don’t think, just sit. This chair virtually calls out to passers-by to come and relax. Sock arms, wedged legs, and a semi-attached pillow;
it comes in sleeper varieties if you expect company, or you can simply enjoy the standard flavor in your choice of customizable colors.At the Abbey: Perfect for John Bates to rest his weary leg, the Chesterfield armchair harkens back to 18th century England, but it’s far from archaic. Rolled arms and deep button tufting add style to any home, and the feather and deep foam cushions will give any rump a pliant rest for reading.Just Like Mom’s: A little more rigid than most of our favorite reading chairs, this has a relaxed yet ready feel. The ‘50’s cut might make it seem a little dated, but once you throw your legs over the side and dig into a volume, it’ll feel like home in moments.Dorm Dreams: Wrapped in velvet or phur, you can get multiple covers for every occasion, then mold The BigOne into whatever shape suits your home and your reading style. At 8 feet in diameter and sitting 3 feet off the floor, this is the throne of beanbag chairs.Post-Modern: Behind the sharp angularity of the Oculus is a deep seat with very gently sloped arms that puts you in a comfortable power pose, cradling your back and neck.
From Hans J. Wegner, the Oculus is good for minimalists who prize plenty of padding.American Custom: There’s few things more American than a recliner, but they’re not typically good for browsing through a book. Using a leverless fabric body with walnut legs, the Dalton’s clean lines can go anywhere, taking the option to lay back or go bolt upright along with it.The Professor: Slung low and deep, the Churchill feels more like sitting in a cigar and whiskey bar than in your house, but once you’re enveloped in the plush leather and the plump cushioning, you’ll be eager to stay for as long as it takes to finish all of Narnia’s Chronicles.Flower Child: Capturing the essence of the summer of love, the Sling uses suspended webbing to give you a sense of sitting on air with just enough structure from the hardwood lines to add in a feeling of solidity and security.Traditional: Crafted in the same way for 30 years, the Rocker is made out of hand-stretched saddle leather that has been vegetable tanned to perfection.
When seated, the chair draws around the reader thanks to mortise and tenon joints. The result is a perfect fit for every person.Body Sculpture: The curves of the LC4 are meant to mimic that of the human body so as you rest on it, you are smoothly and naturally supported. The only challenge is not falling asleep while you dig through Proust’s dense prose.Throwback: Vintage 60’s style in plenty of eye-popping colors, the yasmin is low and deep, putting your back and shoulders at the right angle for reading without straining your neck or ruining your décor. The teacup shape can be tiring, so add in an ottoman, or just get up and move on occasion.A Little English: Inspired by the English club chair, Ray and Charles Eames use molded plywood to create a frame that is comfortable and rustic, but also soft and supple. Like a favorite baseball mitt, it’s heaven for long sitting sessions.Privacy Perch: When you plant your backside into the Majestic, you’ll feel like peasants should bow and scrape before you.
Volute scrollwork lines the exterior while the wings and immense back prevent anyone from reading over your shoulder.Matched Set: An homage to the 1970’s, you’ll find yourself flopping onto these again and again merely because they beg for you to do so. Use one alone or combine them to create your own little book nook, the brown leather and tight stitching might be the only good thing to come from the Disco Decade.Patio Perusing: Part of Harry Bertoia’s 1952 wire collection, this Chaise is intended for reading by the pool or out on your terrace. With a few adjustments you can sit comfortably on the odd shape in a wide array of positions to save your spine from distress and alleviate aches.Nest Egg: Hand-crafted by the people of New Zealand, the bowl shape is for those who take their curling very seriously. Plush as a gossamer cloud, there’s but one difficulty: Getting out of it.Conversation Piece: An oddly cute piece crafted by the Campanas, there’s only 25 of these in the world.