Chair Spotlight – Chair Candy

Today, I’m going to give you guys the info on the Flag Halyard chair. This chair is easy to spot, BIG, and is definitely an attention grabber.

Rove concepts flag halyard chair — The Flag Halyard Chair, photo from Rove Concepts.

A friend of mine told me this would be her ideal purchase if she was going to spend major money on a chair. I wanted to do some research on this famous design because I’d previously thought of it as an “average priced” item (yes, some of us in the design industry do get jaded about pricing!) I’d been thinking about modern reproductions of this iconic design. Repros of the Flag Halyard chair go for anywhere from $1500-$2000, which is not bad, but still a lot for a chair in the grand scheme of things. The originals, produced by Getama, run the gamut at anywhere from $10K in ok shape to $30K + for a pristine model.

1st dibs flag halyard chair by getama — An original Flag Halyard chair produced by Getama. Photo from 1stDibs.

When my friend named this her dream chair, I got to thinking about my first experience with the Flag chair. I was perusing a thrift shop in Venice, CA… one that was antique mall style. Everywhere you turned, there was a new cubby filled with things, and you could find random little passageways into different halls and cubbies. I walked through a small passage and saw a flag chair in the center of a cubby in the very back corner of the store. I wasn’t sure what this beautiful chair was, but I knew I needed to know more… it was lurve. Enough about me, onto the details on the chair!

Wegner Flag Halyard Chair — Wegner’s Flag Halyard Chair. Photo from 1stDibs.

Designed by Hans Wegner for PP Mobler, the Flag Haylard chair is often paired with a sheepskin for comfort. According to design folklore, this chair was conceived by Wegner while sitting in the sand watching his kids play on vacation. Apparently, while watching the kids, he dug the shape in the sand for a seat and found it to be super comfortable. The rest is history!

obsessive collectors flag chair aerial view — Aerial View: photo from Obsessive Collectors

The chair’s name comes from the fact that the back and seat of the chair are actually constructed from flag halyard. That’s the rope that you pull the flag up and down with, FYI. (I actually didn’t know what flag halyard was when I first researched the chair, and thought the name had something to do with the shape. Nope, just a nod to the materials used! Speaking of materials, the combination of steel for the frame, rope for the seat, linen or leather for the pillow, and sheepskin is really an interesting mix (and a lot) of materials for such a simple chair.

Jamie Bush Flag Halyard chair — Flag Halyard chair in a Malibu Beach house. Photo from C-Home. Design by Jamie Bush.

The rope allows for air flow on a hot day, making this the perfect chair in a beach house (or Palisades house, NYC loft, Santa Fe Casita– let’s be realistic about the steel frame here.)

Whether you’re on vacation, or just dreaming about being on vacation, Wegner’s Flag Halyard chair is a great choice for any room. And, in my opinion, it is a great choice for a dream chair when you’re breaking into buying high design.

Fun Fact: The original version produced in small quantities by Getama are recognizable by their wooden feet, pictured above. Photo from 1st Dibs.

I recently noticed an Arctander chair in a resort photo while looking for a place to visit over the Holidays, and almost booked a room because I liked the fact that they used this chair. Yes, I almost booked a vacation based on a chair in a hotel room. (I can’t be the only one who has done this, right?! Tell me I’m not the only one…)

arctander resort — Caldera House, Jackson Hole WY

I first learned about the Arctander chair during my very first job at a design firm. It was such an important chair that a photo had been printed and attached to the inspiration bulletin board wall. Of course it was chic, and of course it looked expensive, so, of course I couldn’t get it out of my head. I needed to know more. After some research (ok, prodding a coworker), I learned the name of this chair was the Arctander chair. I love the shape of the legs and the curve of the arms, and was delighted when we had one come through the shop. Of course I (very carefully) sat in it while no one was looking, and I was in love. Yes, it is as comfortable as people say it is.

Arctander Christies — The Artctander Clam Chair, image via Christies

Better known as Arctander’s Clam Chair, this chair was designed in 1944. It’s actually pretty cool that this chair has some mystery surrounding its origins, and was only attributed to Arctander in 2013 after a number of misattributions (AD, 2017).

Reloved upholstery uk arctander — Arctander Chair in the process of being reupholstered. Photo from Reloved Upholstery UK. #goodbones

These chairs were made in mass quantities, but that doesn’t mean you don’t see fakes everywhere(I mean, pretty much everything good, and some things that aren’t so good, has been ripped off, right?)

Arctander Fake — A replica Arctander chair.

So how much will one of these babies set you back? Well, the answer is kind of complicated and it depends on if you want a true blue vintage chair, a contemporary version, or are okay with going for a fake.

A new version, produced by Paustian in collaboration with Arctander’s granddaughter Sophie Arctander Paustian, will set you back 6071 €, which is about $6870, depending on exchange rates. You can order them with or without armrests, but the arm rests are ubiquitous with the design, in my opinion.

Paustian arctander — Paustian’s contemporary collection of Arctander Chairs

Vintage versions can be found online for between $14- $18K, depending on whether you choose textile or sheepskin. You can also find some good vintage replicas for around $7K online, and a not so great (in my opinion) replica by France & Son for a mere $300.

Whatever you choose, an Arctander Clam chair is sure to elevate your room.

Arctander Elle Decor — Arctander chair in living room, photo from Elle Decor.

Want more chairs? Follow my insta for photos of amazing chairs, behind the scenes stories of me sourcing, and lots of other chair & design inspo.

Category: Chair Spotlight

Chair Spotlight: Flag Halyard Chair

Chair Spotlight: The Arctander Chair

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