Description

If these were made in Australia or Europe today to this exact same quality they’d sell for AT LEAST $3,000 PER CHAIR (ie. more than $6,000 THE PAIR).

Listed price is for the matching PAIR– only approx $950 each.

The soft green cushions are NOT included (they’ve come off a different chair). These photos have been included to show the versatility of this design and the tone of the timber. Any coloured upholstery would look good on these frames.

LOCATION- Vermont South, Melbourne suburbs.

Provenance and Background Info

(Written in 2023. Some information may be time-sensitive.)

I first came across this design at least 10 years ago and was instantly attracted to it because of its likeness to the famous Siesta chair, designed and made in Norway by Westnofa back in the 1970’s. This is also a 1970’s design but it’s background still eludes me. For a while I thought it was an Australian design but these days I don’t think so. Danish Deluxe did a similar design (but that one is noticeably different). That design nearly always has Danish Deluxe labels on them as well. I’ve never come across any in this design with a label. I get the feeling this design is European, possibly Danish.

I was very attracted to the idea of stocking this design because it’s a significant improvement on the very famous Siesta design. Westnofa Siesta chairs are a little flimsy. They are simply a canvas sling stretched over a very lightweight frame. The canvas slings (that are now about 50 years old) are often needing attention or replacement nowadays. This design has multiple curved timber slats extending down the back of the chair. This not only creates a very stable frame (that’s completely rock-solid) but also means that cushions are sitting loosely on the timber frame (and not on canvas). The canvas slings of the Westnofa Siesta chairs can also stain or discolour when people try to clean them. This will not happen with this design. Additionally, all of the timber pieces here are of a much higher quality (they’re much heavier) than those used on the Siesta chair.

The armrests on this design add a point of interest and even more stability. These are extremely strong, sturdy chairs that have already stood the test of time and will continue to do so. Re-upholstery of the loose cushions sitting on the frame would be cheap and easy- one of the cheapest possible upholstery jobs of any lounge chair. But these won’t need re-upholstery probably for several lifetimes yet. This is vintage FULL-GRAIN leather that’s at least as good as the leather used by Tessa Furniture in the 1970’s. After about 50 years of use this leather shows virtually no wear. Plus this leather is a great colour too- this mid-tone pares back the look of these chairs and contributes to the minimalist vibe. There’s a contrast to the frame, which makes the sinewy flow of the timber frame be the hero here. The leather colour would be very easy to place in any home plus it doesn’t look overpowering.

These are definitely something I’d have in my own home. They tick all the boxes. The comfort is brilliant- they have a stylish minimalist look, plus very strong investment appeal. Siesta chairs with higher backs are fetching about AU$2,400 EACH on international platforms (ie. about AU$5,000 for a pair). At our price here, this outstanding design is a no-brainer investment.

These chairs from the 1970’s are graceful yet they’re not going to readily break (you’d have to be really negligent). They are set to service the next custodian for another lifetime (or more) and then be passed on to another generation. After many modern chairs have ended up as landfill within as little as a decade, this pair nearing 50 years old, will be passed on to another custodian- a symbol that when something has been done well, it will live on. There are very few better ways to invest in your home and the future of our environment.

2305