What’s your favourite 20th century chair?

If you absolutely had to choose a favourite from the huge selection of classic Designer chairs, which would it be? Let’s assume money is no object and you could choose only one chair, which one gets your vote? Well firstly it depends what you want to use it for – is it for dining, for lounging, for working, or just to look at and admire? As a dining chair I think it’s pretty hard to beat the Eames Plastic DSR or DSW chair – I love the combination of plastic seat with the chrome (DSR) or maple wood (DSW) base. At gunpoint I think the DSR just about wins due to the chrome Eiffel tower base which is most likely to sit well with most dining tables and contemporary living spaces. Not to say I don’t also love the curves of the Panton chair or the equally organically shaped Saarinen Tulip chair. I do in fact have a set of white Pantons at home, but that’s mainly because they go beautifully with our marble Saarinen Tulip table and the bases won’t get stuck in the stripped wood floor. As a chair to relax in, it depends how you are scoring. I think the Barcelona Chair is pretty hard to beat in terms of aesthetics and lasting appeal. However, the Eames Lounge Chair is genuinely more comfortable (especially with the ottoman) and for me comfort has to win out. Oh dear I sound old….My favourite office chair is simple, if predictable. I would choose the Eames Soft Pad chair any day. It combines the Eames Aluminium’s appealing aluminium profile with the added comfort of extra padding. Plus with its 30 year warranty, it makes a pretty good investment piece – it will just keep going. As an occasional piece, say to complete a space such as a large entrance hall, the Wassilly chair with its clean lines and simple leather upholstery would definitely be a good option. Or how about the Nelson coconut chair? It stands out for its touch of humour with Nelson having compared it to an eighth of a Coconut. But for me the Egg Chair is perfect as it is as much a piece of art as it is something to sit on. Having weighed it all up, my overall winner is still the Eames Lounge chair and ottoman. I love the combination of the wood and leather; and having used it as a feeding chair for both my children I know how comfortable it is when it really matters – at 2, 3 and 4am! It starts to double-up as a spare bed. Plus I now have an emotional attachment to the chair which is difficult, if not impossible, to live up to.