kin, when you say "find", does that mean you acquired this piece other than new? I would've thought it would be longer before finding this chair for resale.
What are your thoughts on the chair? There was a wide range of reviews when it came out, but I've never had the chance to sit in one.
Ando is about as modern as they get.
I've only had the chair for a few days and haven't had enough time to comment on long hour seating confort but my first impression is quite comfortable. Prior to getting the chair, I'd read comments about the hole in the seat pinching on the tailbone. In my experience, because of the supple leather, it's a non issue although I could feel the open space in my lower back. Maybe the comment was referring to non upholstered version?
As far as the acquisition, I actually purchased it "used" although it's in literally showroom condition. I'd say it's 99% new. In fact, I purchased it from a designer who had finished using the piece as a showroom display. And about my "not modern" comment, I was referring to the fact that it's a recent design and that it's not a mid century modern piece. Sorry for the confusion.
On a side note, I live in the Bay Area, I'd gone to quite a few major furniture showrooms to test drive the chair. However, none of them carried it. Shame......
Overall, I'm very happy with the find. What do you think?
kin1117,
Do you have the feeling The Grand Inquisitor (as a child my mother and father always questioned my definition of "find" when regarding my acquisitions) admires your chair.
"What do you think"... is a loaded question.
1. hole in the seat
2. not a mid century modern piece (like this matters)
You ask... The Dream Chair haters (current term widely used for any one that disagrees with anything) may pound sand. Nice chair.
My preference would be the non upholstered version. This is what Spinneybeck hides are made for...
I don't remember how I stumbled upon the Ebay listing for the Dream Chair but it sure caught my attention with its beautiful curves. Then I started doing some research and found out more about the design. I went back and forth with the seller for a few weeks. In the meantime someone almost bought it from her. In the end, I pulled the trigger.
It seems like the chair does get some love from the public which makes me wonder why it's so hard to find a showroom that carries it.
It's not exactly clear. but I'm hoping that "The Grand Inquisitor" refers to me. Even if it doesn't, I think I'll commandeer the nickname anyway (Patrick and Alix, any chance that my username can be updated accordingly?). It'll go nicely with the "Great Brown Shark" and "Assassin" that I've already collected over the years.
Back to the Ando chair, I phrased my question that way due to the mixed reviews that the chair received upon issue. Since I have not sat or seen one in person, I have no fixed opinion of the chair one way or the other. Based on kin's previous posts on Eames' chairs, I had no doubt that he (she?) did a great amount of research before purchasing, and therefore would have come across all the reviews already. I'd be surprised if any offense was taken, and that was certainly not the intent.
When the chair first came out, it was very surprising to see such an organic wood design from probably the world's pre-eminent modern architect for exposed concrete buildings over the last three decades. Ando has been one of my favorite architects since college, and I made a special side trip to Kobe on the way back from a work trip, just to see some of his early works; the Church of the Light being the highlight. This juxtaposition with Carl Hansen's historically lightweight organic wood furniture was obviously going to be on the minds of everyone who saw the chair.
The Grand Inquisitor hopes to one day get the chance to see and sit in one so he can then form a more informed opinion.
P.S. "Mid Century Modern" certainly falls under the "modern" umbrella. The former just happened to occur during the middle of the last century.
My first post in this section! Now that I'm fully addicted I'm gonna start sharing my finds here from time to time. I've been going to estate sales here in Pittsburgh PA weekly for the past 12 months now and making some great finds.
Although not really mid-century era, I'm sure these bookends are of interest here. I was thrilled to find them this morning at an estate sale for $12. Walter Von Nessen. Happy hunting!
cdsilva, no offense taken on my part. Thanks for clarifying though.
Interesting you brought up the fact that I'm mostly another Eameshead that 95% of my collect is Eames. For me to step out of my comfort zone and make a relatively big purchase and shipping it across the country took a little leap of faith. After all, I didn't pick up this Dream Chair at a garage sale for $25. Compared to retail, I did fantastic at $1400 plus shipping but it's still a substantial amount, especially since it's not Eames.
Another nice thing about the Dream Chair is that it does flex and bounce quite nicely and that's done without the annoying shock mounts that always fail (at some point) on Eames chairs.
Cool cats! Von Nessen must have been in the same camp as Walter Bosse, one of my faves. His little brass animals as well as the ceramic ones are wonderful.
Your cats remind me of my H&P (or H&F?) teak cat from Denmark which I got years ago at a junk auction. It has an old break but for two dollars, who cares!
I just got my Arne Vodder for Sibast dining set, 6 chairs and an extendable dining table. They are really lovely, elegant. Thanks HowardMoon for helping with the ID!! I'm not sure the table is a match, it does seem so. There is a mark where a Sibast sized sticker may have sat! Either way, I like.
rich6705,
Love the Walter Von Nessen scaredy cat bookends!!! I have had them on my bucket list of things I would like to own someday for a long time now. I prefer the cats over the horses or elephant bookends he designed. One of the first vintage items I bought 20 years ago was a Walter Von Nessen convertible flop top floor lamp that I still use in one of the rooms in my house.
rich6705, If you ever decide to sell the Walter Von Nessen scaredy cat bookends please keep me in the front of the line...... I'm a buyer if your a seller.... 🙂
Peruche
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