The 1950's were an influential decade in the world of design; the ideas introduced came to define the aesthetics of the rest of the century. In particular, the Swan and the Tulip were two iconic mid-century chairs that have appeared everywhere from corporate offices to movie sets, and still see wide use today.
The Swan
The Swan chair was designed in 1958 by Arnie Jacobson. This style of chair gets its name from its curvy, delicate appearance; the curved back resembles a swan's neck, while two "wings" rise up on the sides to serve as arms. The design doesn't have any straight lines, except for support - a single swivel pole extends downward and connects to the chairs wheeled feet in a style that strongly resembles a bird's leg. Swan chairs offer back support while leaving your arms completely unrestricted, making them an extremely elegant alternative to traditional rolling office chairs.
The Tulip
Eero Saarinen's Tulip chair was designed between 1955 and 1956. Saarinen wanted to make a chair that was visually all in one piece, with no separation between the base and the legs. The result is a curved molded plastic shell supported by an aluminum weighted base, top with a colorful cushion on the seat which completes the modish appearance and adds comfort. The single pole of the base resembles the stem of a flower, while the curved chair is shaped much like its tulip namesake. Tulip chairs were originally designed for dining tables, but have such a classy appearance that they've found their way into many different settings. In 1969, the Tulip Chair won several design awards, including one from the Museum of Modern Art.
Timeless Designs
Both of these iconic mid-century chairs share similar design themes. Each features a minimalist seat supported by a single pole, creating a subtle sense of vertical movement; someone who sits on one may briefly appear to be floating. The Tulip and Swan chairs may have been designed last century, but they're still a great choice for both retro and modern room designs.
