Top Ten: Bistro Chairs

Top Ten: Bistro Chairs

In the cold, long New York City winter, it’s hard to remember that somewhere, someone is sitting outside of a bistro enjoying a cup of tea. Here are the top ten chairs we picture ourselves sitting in come spring time.

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1. Caprera armchair
MANUFACTURER: Emu
PRICE: Inquire for pricing
54cm L x 54cm P x 87cm H

A slender, ethereal silhouette, the Caprera features a tubular steel frame and sheet metal seat with a decorative motif that creates a game of spirals and round metal rods.

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2. 214
DESIGNER: Michael Thonet
MANUFACTURER: Thonet
PRICE: $175
H 33″ W 16.25″ D 20.5″ Seat H 18.5″

Designed in 1859, this is the chair that defines bistro chairs. The famous coffee house chair is an icon and considered the most successful mass produced product in the world to date.

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3. 1006 Navy Side Chair
MANUFACTURER: Emeco
PRICE: $470
16.5″ x 19.5″ x 34″

Designed by Emeco for the US Navy, this iconic chair is the ultimate in durability and nostalgic style.

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4. Eames Molded Plastic
DESIGNER: Charles and Ray Eames
MANUFACTURER: Herman Miller
PRICE: $428
18.5″ x 22″ x 31.5″

It’s so hard to compete with the mid-century classics, particularly in the case of the Eames Molded Plastic chairs. Add an iconic, striking aesthetic to any dining establishment with these durable beauties.

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5. Bertoia Side Chair
DESIGNER: Harry Bertoia
MANUFACTURER: Knoll
PRICE: $698
21 3/4″ W x 19 3/4″ D x 28 3/4″ H

The wire frame outdoor chair that started it all, Bertoia’s design isn’t seen at every outdoor bistro that cares about design, but it should be.

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6. Steelwood Chair
DESIGNER: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
MANUFACTURER: Magis/ Herman Miller
PRICE: $679
H 29.92″ x W 21.65″ x D 18.11″

A solid chair that wears its quality construction on its sleeve, the Steelwood Chair leaves no doubt that it can withstand the rigors of bistro seating.

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7. Air-Chair
DESIGNER: Jasper Morrison
MANUFACTURER: Magis / Herman Miller
PRICE: $636
H 30.51″ x W 19.29″ x D 20.07″

While seemingly simple, this little chair is constructed with air molding, making it a remarkably durable plastic chair, light as air.

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8. 107
DESIGNER: Robert Stadler
MANUFACTURER: Thonet
PRICE: Inquire for pricing

Statdler’s current-day homage to the classic 214 is a sturdy reinterpretation that pays reverence to the past while forging new lines into the future.

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9. Marais A Chair
DESIGNER: Xavier Pauchard
MANUFACTURER: Tolix
PRICE: $250
17.5″ x 15″ x 33.5″

This outdoor steel classic has many admirers and almost as many copycats. The original, though is strong and crafted using 100 manual operations, making each one unique.

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10. Vegetal
DESIGNER: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
MANUFACTURER: Vitra
PRICE: $650
L 21.75" W 23.75" H 32"

The outdoor seating inspired by its surroundings, Vegetal is made of injection molded plastic and 100% recyclable.

Top Ten articles publish every Tuesday. Email 3rings@designerpages.com if there’s a category you’d like to see.

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