One Chair, 10 Homes: The Sleek Yet Fun Standard Chair
In contrast to its name 'Standard', this customisable chair brings colour and personality to many spaces
First designed in 1934, tweaked in 1950 – and with new colours released every few years – the Standard Chair was created by its designer, Jean Prouve, to illustrate its load-bearing characteristic. The French industrial designer and self-taught architect observed that a chair bears most of its occupants weight on its back legs. So he designed one that had wider (yet hollow) back legs to channel the weight down to the floor.
Produced by Vitra, the classic version of the Standard chair has a wooden seat and back, with steel legs. Newer models, Standard SP and Standard SR feature seat and back in robust plastic, and upholstered seat and back, respectively.
Produced by Vitra, the classic version of the Standard chair has a wooden seat and back, with steel legs. Newer models, Standard SP and Standard SR feature seat and back in robust plastic, and upholstered seat and back, respectively.
Pastel-pretty in Brooklyn, New York
With its statement-making Artichoke pendant lamp, balance is restored to this dining area as the Standard chairs – here with mint and ecru steel bases – draw the eye downward with their colourful legs.
With its statement-making Artichoke pendant lamp, balance is restored to this dining area as the Standard chairs – here with mint and ecru steel bases – draw the eye downward with their colourful legs.
Sunny in San Francisco, California
Echoing the splash of sunshine from the curtains, the lemon yellow steel base of these Standard chairs bring a bright, fun character to the formal, sombre feel of this home office.
Echoing the splash of sunshine from the curtains, the lemon yellow steel base of these Standard chairs bring a bright, fun character to the formal, sombre feel of this home office.
Raising the bar in Salt Lake City, Utah
With its sleek, industrial silhouette, the Standard chair might have been ideal as a bar stool, but Prouve didn’t intend it as such, and Vitra doesn’t produce it. Some enterprising manufacturers call their Prouve bar-height chair an adaptation of the Standard.
With its sleek, industrial silhouette, the Standard chair might have been ideal as a bar stool, but Prouve didn’t intend it as such, and Vitra doesn’t produce it. Some enterprising manufacturers call their Prouve bar-height chair an adaptation of the Standard.
Colour-blocked in Barcelona, Spain
The Standard SP (Siege en Plastique, in French) comes with a robust plastic seat and back, allowing for it to be produced in a wider range of colours. Vitra’s Configurator lets you mix and match the colour of your base and seat/backrest, so you can pair it perfectly with your colour scheme.
The Standard SP (Siege en Plastique, in French) comes with a robust plastic seat and back, allowing for it to be produced in a wider range of colours. Vitra’s Configurator lets you mix and match the colour of your base and seat/backrest, so you can pair it perfectly with your colour scheme.
Mid-century Modern-inspired in Austin, Texas
Prouve’s design adds a bit of dynamism to the rigid lines of this modernist breakfast nook.
Prouve’s design adds a bit of dynamism to the rigid lines of this modernist breakfast nook.
Warming up a rustic ski chalet in Montana, USA
The natural oak seat and backrest of these Standard chairs bring a warmer hue to the cool, raw finish of this rustic dining space.
The natural oak seat and backrest of these Standard chairs bring a warmer hue to the cool, raw finish of this rustic dining space.
Solitary in New York, USA
When you’re overlooking the New York skyline, mid-century design seems the most fitting environment to do that in. Prouve’s modern, industrial-style design completes this space.
When you’re overlooking the New York skyline, mid-century design seems the most fitting environment to do that in. Prouve’s modern, industrial-style design completes this space.
Minimalist with a twist in Hong Kong
In this 600-square-foot apartment, minimalism rules – but the contrast of sleek Prouve-designed furniture and boldly colourful Marimekko prints adds visual interest.
In this 600-square-foot apartment, minimalism rules – but the contrast of sleek Prouve-designed furniture and boldly colourful Marimekko prints adds visual interest.
Casual and classic in Jersey City, New Jersey
Black and white steel legs alternate for visual texture in this loft-style home. The line-widths of the back legs of the chair contrast the oversized globular pendant lamps hanging from the ceiling, creating a well-balanced effect.
TELL US
If you were to buy a Standard chair, where in your home would you place it? Tell us in the Comments below. If you own one, we’d love to see photos!
Black and white steel legs alternate for visual texture in this loft-style home. The line-widths of the back legs of the chair contrast the oversized globular pendant lamps hanging from the ceiling, creating a well-balanced effect.
TELL US
If you were to buy a Standard chair, where in your home would you place it? Tell us in the Comments below. If you own one, we’d love to see photos!
The Standard chair’s red powder-coated steel legs with a natural oak seat and back adds a bold contrast to the mix of black designer chairs in this Mad Men-inspired dining area.
Houzz Tour: this home channels the immaculate style of Mad Men