Winging It: Chairs That Make a Statement

Winging It: Chairs That Make a Statement


Wingback chairs have progressed given that Thomas Chippendale’s original design in the 1600s. Despite its traditional strains, this regal, tall-back seating isn’t restricted to traditional inside layout. 

Today, wingback chairs can boast a modern, retro or even a futuristic type, with up-to-date variations locating destinations in rooms of all styles.

“Wingback chairs are statement items,” mentioned Megan Dufresne, principal designer at MC Design and style in Los Angeles. “They present a robust silhouette, are strong and comfy and, with the correct styling choices, can be included into a variety of spaces.”

4 designers share their thoughts on integrating contemporary-working day wingback chairs into dwelling areas.

A lot more: The Magic of Wall Murals

Pair With Complementary Shapes and Scale 

“With a little bit of updating and fabric decision, these chairs can be excellent additions to contemporary households. I have a tendency to seem for complementary designs and intention to balance them with other furniture that matches their scale. More essential than the top of the back is the all round visible bodyweight and condition of the chairs. 

“The right wingback chair can be utilised in just about any area if done proper. A pair of my favorite sources are Restoration Hardware/RH Modern day or Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. 

“In [one] circumstance, bringing the ordinarily traditional wingback chair into a up to date residing space required a bit of updating. We selected swivel variations of a wing chair, the RH Luke Swivel chair and recovered them in a Great Outside bouclé material from Holly Hunt. This authorized the chairs, which have a slight ’70s vibe, to match in with the relaxation of the layout and generate a cohesive glimpse for the area.”

Designer Megan Dufresne selected a pair of swivel wingback chairs for this modern living home.


Lauren Taylor Images

—Megan Dufresne, MC Design and style in Los Angeles

A lot more: Decorating With Viva Magenta: Pantone’s Coloration of the Yr 2023

Celebrate the Peak in Tall Spaces

“A wingback chair conjures a feeling of coziness and produces a nook emotion when it is put in a area. They do the job perfectly in areas with superior ceilings or in corners in which their peak does not near off a seating space or block the look at. Twenty Very first Gallery has some breathtaking possibilities like the Erwan Boulloud Kàmptô Chair.

“Wing chairs are quite versatile and, irrespective of whether vintage or present-day, lend on their own to the two austere or a lot more eclectic fabrics. Sometimes, a buttery leather-based is pleasant since it will patina over time.”

Jessica Iwaniec, layout director at Pembrooke & Ives in New York


Combine With Standard, Primitive or Industrial Factors

“Wingback chairs exude comfort. They are huge and practically appear to be to give you a hug when you sit down. We generally use them as anchors in a area. I like them for looking at or napping, so try a pair of them in front of a window in a relatives place, in the corner of a bedroom or in close proximity to a fireplace.

“If you have a contemporary wing chair, consider pairing it with a little something additional standard, primitive or industrial. The mix will hold things experience exciting and more own. For some thing mid-century impressed, I like the Gio Lounge by Kimberly Denman and for one thing up to date, I like the Ro Lounge Chair by Jaime Hayon.

“If you’re on the lookout to insert pattern to a room, a wing chair is a ideal prospect to pack some punch and identity. If you want to emphasize the condition of the wing chair, try a neutral cloth with a dark contrasting welt.”

A sculptural wing chair completes this eclectic home by Mendelson Group.


Eric Piasecki

—Designer Gideon Mendelson in New York

A lot more: Inviting Patchwork Textiles Into a Up to date Bedroom 

Floor the Room With an Sophisticated Wing Chair

“I appreciate the noble wingback chair. It has a typical, bookish, masculine, ‘grandpa using tobacco his pipe’ spirit. This tends to make it terrific for an interior in which you want to combine regular with fashionable. If your space demands some grounding and you want to make a location come to feel a lot more bookish, intelligent or worldly, include a wing chair. 

“They are solid, independent accent items. For illustration, in a darker, advanced room, I see it in a vivid, playful colour these types of as yellow or orange. Mainly because of the robust sculptural variety of a wingback, bold hues can make them experience tremendous modern. In distinction to their voluminous sort, a delicate, but durable bronze and cast glass table is the right pairing next to a wingback and a glowing reading through lamp, of system. 

“Tom Dixon built my absolute favorite wing chair. Tom’s chair is so statuesque. It cuts a lovely silhouette from any path, sending a concept of grace, intelligence and tradition. We chose the Babyletto Kiwi Gray Ability Recliner for this nursery mainly because it has a large back again and it could fill the corner. It’s as comfortable as it is tasteful.”

This Babyletto Kiwi Gray Electrical power Recliner wing chair fills the corner in this contemporary nursery by Sabra Ballon.


Aubrie Decide on

—Designer Sabra Ballon in San Francisco

Click to browse a lot more information and stories about luxury house design