Room by Room – the Breuer Wassily Chair

This week, Room by Room with FormFire Glassworks looks at a very old design that is just a fabulous today, the Breuer Wassily Chair.

Most of my picks have been from the mid-century, but this great chair was design by Marcel Breuer in 1925, while he was an apprentice at the Bauhaus. The strong lines and light feel of the tubular chrome frame are a great way to add substance to a room without taking up a lot of visual space. The genius of this design is that the set, back and arms are all made from strip fabric pieces, requiring a small amount to create the entire chair. The chair is available through Knoll in 3 standard cowhide options, as well as Spinneybeck leather and haired hide in 22 colors and textures. This chair has also been produced in canvas and nylon belting for a more casual, less expensive option. The one thing to note about this chair is that it is deep and low, and while very comfortable, it takes a strong burst to get you back out of it.

Sitting back in the chair for a length of time made me think about sitting by a window, and working quietly on a laptop. You pull your laptop out of a zippered felt sleeve, and place an attached mouse and stylish mousepad on the side table. Below a print with a pod pattern in the corner, your cat sits perched atop a tower, waiting patiently for you to finish. You set your drink down on a cutwork felt coaster and set yourself to the tasks at hand.

Next week I will choose a new iconic piece and give you my picks for accessorizing your modern home.