I want to purchase 8 Brno chairs for our dining room.(likely the Italian chrome flat bar version) Does the cantilever have much "give or bounce". I am used to the Marcel Breuer chairs that I have had for 25 years and they are quite stable. They are the Italian made, chrome tubing, cane seat and back versions.) I happened to sit in a cheap Chinese made Brno and I was going up and down like I was in a rocking chair!...scary. I need to special order the Italian made Brno chairs and have been unable to "test" them. Are there any other neagatives? I note that the chair's seat height is unusually low ie: +/- 16 1/2" high. Does this mean that the dining room table should be say 28" high instead of the usual 29 or 30"? I'd very much appreciate real critique from Brno owners.
Ciao for now!
Real or fake?
Do you want feedback about knock-off Brno chairs, or the Knoll version? I can't speak to the knock-offs, either Italian or Chinese, but can share my experience with vintage Brno chairs made by Knoll.
I have had both the tubular and the flat-bar Brno. I personally prefer the flat bar (especially with the arm pads). The flat bar do not have a lot of "give" or spring and instead are quite solid without any concern for their stability. More rigid than Breuer chairs, the MR, or even the tubular Brno.
The seat height is not too low but I would stick with a standard height table as my only complaint with the Brno is that the arms prohibit you from pushing them underneath some tables. Especially those vintage tables that are a bit lower, or a table with a skirt.
You can often find vintage Brno chairs for the same money as the knock-offs. Sometimes less. The Brno is a timeless design that is elegant, but not fussy. If I were to use them in my home, I'd look for a vintage set in stainless steel.
Brno experience
I've had six old Knoll stainless flat bar brnos for dining chairs gathered since 1986, they date from the 50's to the 80's. They are solid with just enough bounce to feel alive. The only downside, they are quite heavy. It can be an effort for small kids and elderly to move. They slide right under a tulip table.
Thanks also to Pegboard and...
Thanks also to Pegboard and Chewbacca for you input. I think you've convinced me to go for the real versions. I'll try to find some vintage Knoll Brnos... new ones are beyond my comfort level! I'm looking for 8 chairs...anyone out there wishing to sell?
Designosaur
Where are you located?
The Brno does not break down for easy shipping, so that can be a factor. We have a set of 8 vintage Knoll production in stainless steel with armpads. They need to be reupholstered. The foam is shot, and you probably won't want the original bright blue fabric, but they are in structurally sound and otherswise in very good condition.
Knoll Brno Flat Bar Chairs
Hello,
I know this thread was posted a while ago, but if you have not found and are still interested in finding Knoll Chairs let me know. I have 10 in a cream leather material that need a little bit of cleaning up. There are in pretty good shape though. they are used , but have the original tags on them.
(edited by DA - no sales on the forum - only on the Radar please)
Thanks!
I've got a knock off that I g...
I got second hand rip off a few years ago, I keep it and still use it (too lazy to swap it for a different chair in storage) but its a piece of crap really, the webbing has stretched so it sits about 2 inches lower than it should, the screw from the inside of the back into the steel has come loose and it lists about 2 degrees to the left, thats only really noticable when looking at it from the back. Its all fixable, one day when I find some good leather I'll do it but for now its just too heavy to bother with.
I prefer the tubular model.
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