100 Chairs

100 chairs from 100 designers across the 20th century, chosen and painted by illustrator Karin Meenen.

More than just a place to sit, chairs are a cultural obsession, with many people fighting in online auctions over Ercol or Eames chairs. But beyond the names that you know are other remarkable chairs, that show developments of design and materials and even changing societal mores. Artist Karin Meenen, known for her chair paintings, has selected 100 chairs – not definitive and not exhaustive – that have influenced furniture design, from designers across the world and across design movements, from mid-century to Memphis.

A visual archive, each chair is accompanied by bibliographic information stating the year, designer, material and influence. This is a book to be flicked through, designed and referenced, this book will broaden your perspective on chairs beyond Parker Knoll and Perriand, and help you discover your new favourite chair to search down on eBay or Etsy. A small book with a big purpose, this is the book every design fan needs.

This book features chairs from designers across the world, including:

• Butaque chair by Cuban-Mexican designer Clara Porset
• Paimo Sessel, by Finnish designer Alvar Aalto
• Next Door Cafe chair by Sri Lankan designer Geoffrey Bawa
• Superleggera by Italian designer Gio Ponti
• Eames lounger by North American designers Ray and Charles Eames