the thing about a thonet is that they’re always on trend. i never tire of a beautifully classic bentwood chair, or thonet as some are called. you can recognize the real thonets by signature steam-bent legs, backs and braces on the legs, and a mix of birdseye cane and wood seats, and some even still have their original paper labels, which are so ornate and quite wonderful. michael thonet created the first thonet chair with its curved, graceful shapes by forming the wood in hot steam. the first thonet, or “coffee shop chair no. 14” was made in 1859! i’ve got a few vintage beauties around my dining table and at my office desk and i like them best when mixed and matched. they also look great all by their lonesome, say next to a bed as a kind of night (or book) stand, or in any empty spot just longing for a gorgeous statement chair. here are a few looks i find most inspiring. i sometimes find these vintage chairs for super marché at the french flea markets but if you’re on the hunt, check elsie green — they’ve got a few of these rare beauties in stock right now.
clockwise, l to r: hannah trickett; glitter guide; @wholesomelyliving; @femte.til.venstre; remodelista; rock n deco; @white__sage; thonet; nordic design;
• all other photography credits in order of appearance: angie welsh; avenue design studio via remodelista; the modern house;@samiyla; TON #811 DINING CHAIRs from elsie green; alexander white; elle decoration; design studio nu; tine k home; rue; @samiyla; @un_fold_ed; @tintaluhrman; mason st. peter; fantastic frank; stadshem; the socialite family; our food stories; alexander white; claire delmar interiors.
The Hoffman chair is my favourite, with or without the armsupports, so comfortable. It features in a lot of houses in the classic The Book of Lofts.
I also love the 209 but my mother in law has those.
I have been buying up bentwood bistro chairs one by one from charity and junk shops – trying to put together a set of 6. Just two weeks ago I found number 6 in a skip and it’s a real Thonet. I hadn’t even heard the name until then. I’m feeling very pleased with myself, being so on trend and all. Each chair is slightly different but I’ve painted them all the same colour. They look amazing!
Found 2 Thonets for sale lined up outside of my favorite coffee shop located in the Galleria in PDX that was going out of business. ~1978 (I think!) Paid a whopping $12 bucks for each one. Both still had their ornate Thonet tags on them. Had to beg my mom to loan me the money to get them. I still own them to this day and they remain as cherished by me as the first day I owned them. Great post Victoria!
Woot! What a score, Nancy!!