Trendy Cheap Chairs

Remember the Ghost chair – it was everywhere from 2005 to 2010. 

Even in this high-end home, the Ghost chair, or Louis Chair was the first choice – price wasn’t the object.

 

A bit later, it was all about the Tolix chair, another inexpensive iconic choice for breakfast rooms and dining rooms.

I like the mix of the industrial Tolix with the rough brick and shiny crystal chandelier.

Another mix of the industrial, rustic, and glam.

And then there was my personal favorite in the cheap dining room chair choices:  the Kubu wicker chair.  This dining room by Cynthia who owns Houston’s Indulge Decor was one of the first pictures of the wicker chair and probably helped start the craze.

Here in my breakfast room are my budget Cost Plus chairs.

And this famous dining room by Jill Brinson was another major catalyst of the kubu craze (and the double lantern craze and the cabinet grill craze and the white cowhide craze.)

But today, nothing is bigger than the Eames Molded Plastic Dowel-Leg (DSW) chair.  The revival of this chair is like a mushroom fungus that has taken over the design world.  Wait.  I mean the design world for the under-40 year olds.  The younger set  absolutely loves this classic.  The chair really does look fresh.  It pops in every way it’s used.  It’s the chair of 2015.

It comes in black too and lots of fun bright shades, along with light pink too.

Here the contemporary Eames chair is shown mixed with brick walls and old vintage windows.

An antique mirror, wood table, and modern light all mix in with the modern Eames chair.

Here the Eames chair is shown in the kitchen with stainless cabinets and concrete floors.

Here the chairs are mixed with a crystal chandelier in a Belgian styled paneled room.

Mixed with brick floors and an old wood table – the chairs add just a touch of contemporary.

Another mix of new and old.  The turquoise chairs would have been a good choice with the corner cabinet, but the white is nice too.

I love this – the lime green Eames architectural leg against the straight lines of the stairs and the horizontal lines of the paneling.  Very nice. Very thoughtful design.

Renovated home with rustic table and black Eames.  Again, the black looks good against the cabinet.

I love this.  The black chairs on the antique rug with the sheepskin rug added for texture.  Love!

The black chairs look really good in an industrial setting.

It’s interesting when you think about the popularity of these three chairs – all in just five years really.  It’s the cheap price that drives the mass appeal – especially since chairs used to be so expensive.  Dining room chairs were especially pricey.  And – you always need at least 8 or 10.   Even before the table is bought, the chairs alone can wipe out a normal budget.   And so, here comes the arrival of chic chairs – including the clear Louis Ghost chair.   
      

Since these trendy chairs are so inexpensive, people seem to move on quickly. Buying a new set every few years won’t break many budgets.  It seems the days of keeping dining room chairs for generations is slipping away.  I hope not!

  I remember when I was buying my set of dining room chairs – I wanted antique French caned chairs more than anything in the world.  I found my vintage set on EBay.  Today they are hidden under slipcovers, but one day, I’m sure they will make an appearance, maybe painted?   But sell them for a more disposable set?  No.

What are some of the other styles of chairs that were recently trendy?

  More substantial than the previous cheap fill-ins is this chair in all price points from Ikea to Restoration Hardware.

These are still nice but a little tired looking.

Ballard Design still sells these.  There are also other versions of this chair.  I remember thinking these were fabulous 15 years ago.

The dreaded Director’s Chair.  So uncomfortable.  Somewhere in the deep recesses of my attic are a set I took from my mother-in-law’s house.  She sewed me new covers made out of a blue floral fabric I bought in the sale bin at Joanne’s.  Ugh!!!!!

I remember when these folding chairs came out – I wanted a set!  And they are pretty, really, but were never hugely popular.

 

Design Within Reach has the Eames chair – but they aren’t dirt cheap like these.  Of course the DWR quality is wonderful, but 30 year olds are more price conscious, actually we all are!

World Market has this chair in white and black and turquoise – on sale.

They are giving this away.  HERE

For a younger look -  I really loved this one.  HERE

Here are two Eames chairs in white with arms for the same amount as the World Market pair.  Click on the picture for more information.

And in black.  

And one of my favorite bloggers - The Polished Pebble’s Kelley - has done it again.  Since she has started blogging – I think she has sold three homes with all her furnishings included – maybe two? – !!  But still.  After she sells her house and home, she then starts all over.  How fabulous is that?  This time in her temporary apartment while her new house is being renovated, Kelley decorated with a few iconic modern pieces likes this Eames chair.  She got hers at Design Within Reach – and in white leather – it’s simply gorgeous.  I’ve been drooling over it for months now.

 

Fabulous, no?   Wow.  I love her orange and blue pillows mixed together against the white.  I love Kelly’s aesthetic.  To see more of the room go HERE.

I know this isn’t the quality of Design Within Reach – but wow!  In leather, with a light wood finish.  And it’s so reasonable!  How bad could it be???   But sssh.  Don’t like Mr. Slippersocksman see this!   He’d be throwing out all the French chairs for one asap. 

Here is the same chair for slightly less, with dark wood which has more of a contrast.  To order, just click on the picture!

So, if 2015 is the year of the Eames chair – what will be chosen next?  What is the next reasonable, great design that will be all the rage for the next few years?  Any guesses?