I Have a Problem

Hi, my name is Kathy, and I'm addicted to chairs. Especially inexpensive ones. I know the first step to recovery is admitting I have a problem, but I'm not sure I want to be cured. The latest fix? Two Brno Knoll chairs (or knock-offs, I'm no expert) from the Habitat for Humanity Store. I'm sorry, I just couldn't pass them up. They were $12.50 each!

I've been feeling the need for some chrome chairs as of late. A little bit of mod to throw in with my mostly traditional fare. Then like magic, there they were. There were about 15 of these chairs at the store, most with little red sold signs on them. Except for these two. It was destiny.

Now, I just have to live with them for a while and figure out where I want to put them and what fabric to recover them in. They're currently covered in black naugahyde that has seen better days. They have stickers on them that read, "Gresham, Smith and Partners" which is an architectural firm in town. I'm assuming they're redoing their conference room.

Are you familiar with the Brno chair? This is the tubular version, but I've actually had a crush on the flat bar variation for a while. Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1930 and made by Knoll, it's one of the first cantilevered chairs to be produced. It has experienced enduring popularity since it was first introduced. 

I'm not sure if mine are authentic Knoll chairs (I can't find any markings), but they look like decent knock-offs if they're not. If they were good enough for an architect's office, they're good enough for me.

This is the Knoll chair from DWR's website. Theirs (with leather) retails for $1,831. I think I'll take my version, thank you very much.

Here is the flat bar version that Lulu de Kwiatkowski has in her California home that was recently featured in Lonny Magazine. This is what started my wheels turning I think. Love her house. You must check it out if you have not.

The white upholstery is so chic.

Some more shots of the Brno chair . . .

The flat bar version again. I'm liking the cowhide. That's an interesting treatment.

Here are some yellow ones I found on Apartment Therapy. Kind of cool.

For fabric, I was thinking of something like this I found on eBay . . .

It's an Ostrich Skin Faux Leather in cream. I'm thinking faux leather might be the way to go. Of course, I need to decide where the chairs are going to help me determine my selection. But I think this might be neutral enough to be moved around. I'm open to suggestions. Any thoughts?

Are you a fan of the Brno?

Sources: Design Within Reach, Knoll, Lonny Magazine, eBay, Apartment Therapy