I remember them from summers in the early to mid 70s-lazy Saturdays in June and July, my brother and I scampering around an expertly manicured lawn in our matching plaid shorts (got to love that 70s fashion!), our parents barbecuing for assorted neighbors, the gin and the scotch flowing freely.

ReDo Lawn Chair. Designed by John Paul Plauche. Manufactured by Plodes.

I’m reminiscing, of course, about that staple of suburan summer-time Americana: the tubular aluminum collapsable lawn chair. Love ’em or hate ’em, those things were ultra-convenient. Their lightweight portability made them a crucial element of everyone’s entertaining arsenal. They could be stored easily and moved easily; they were stable on any surface, whether man-made or au natural; they were eminently comfortable-many a member of the “Greatest Generation” sustained not a few post-lawn care, post refreshment, rose-red sunburns while in thrall to its slumber inducing qualities. And they allowed the little ones to participate in the fun as well, since those as young as five were oft enlisted to assist in the transport of said item.

Gushing aside, the aluminum tube chair did have its drawbacks, such as (in no particular order) 1. plastic arms that would fade and crack under the rigors of sun and rain; 2. nylon webbing that would do the same; 3. portability that might have induced certain overly-enthusiastic behaviors that might have, in turn, been of some detriment to the lifespan of the chair; as, for example, certain teenaged neighbors who might have been prone to pick up the chair entire w/ occupant (who may or may not have been yours truly) and dump the whole assemblage headlong into the pool, causing certain irrevocable harm to chair and occupant both. In my home, at least, the chairs were short lived, and I for one mourned their demise. I can think of few sadder images than the tube chair in late fall (left there by uncaring custodians), the plastic arms cracked and faded, the webbing dry and torn, the year’s first snowfall slowly consuming its formerly iridescent legs.

If you yearn for a re-visiting, John Paul Plauche’ of Plodes Studio has your answer: the ReDo limited edition lawn chair. Plauche’, who loves to re-incorporate and re-vise the “contemporary artifact” in his designs, has done just that to this American archetype. With the aim of rediscovering its “covert modernity,” in 2003 Plauche’ released his updated version with handcrafted hardwood arm rests, stiched leather silhouette webbing, and a mirror polished aluminum frame. The result is a piece with the same archetypal quality, the same easy charm and high utility, but without the “throwaway” quality that made the original somewhat disposable. Plauche’s updating preserves the chair’s iconic qualities while introducing new dimensions. Whether used inside or out, whether incorporated as part of an artful homage that pays tribute to the past or as a modern scheme that recognizes how ReDo improves upon it, Plauche’s modern lawn chair appeals to all conossieurs of American style.