Modern Icons: The Barcelona Chair

Danielle says:

Awesome ideabook, thank for sharing! I really like the different colours your selection of photos shows, I've only really seen a black or white Barcelona...:)

Becky Harris says:

Perhaps its because those are ready to ship, while others may take awhile longer! Here are the colors DWR has:

http://www.dwr.com/product/barcelona-chair.do?keyword=Barcelona+Chair&sortby=ourPicks&gclid=CJHL2-X-qagCFcxL2godfCRhHA

Becky

InterDesign Studio says:

I used the Barcelona stools here for a Gallery Type setting in my client's Foyer.

jkubik says:

The author neglected to mention that the glass coffee table is also part of the Barcelona Pavilion items designed by Mies, who later came to the states and taught at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

In collaboration with Philip Johnson, he designed the Seagram Building in New York. Johnson, in turn, made good use of Mies's ideas and furniture when he designed his own "Glass House" in New Canaan, CT. (completed before Mies' Farnsworth House)

Becky Harris says:

Thanks jkubik. I did forget about the coffee table, though the point of this ideabook is to feature the chair. That is a wonderful shot of all the pieces together, probably the best one out there, yes? Thank you so much for sharing it.

The Seagram building is my favorite, probably because I learned all about it from Richard Guy Wilson, who never ceased to light up when discussing his favorite buildings and thus influencing me. I have been dying to get into the Glass House ever since they opened it up to the public a few years ago. You would probably enjoy this blog, which often keeps track of the modern house happenings in New Canaan (Harvard 5 houses on the market, preservation issues including imminent teardowns, house tour dates, and just REALLY good writing and investigating in general). It's one of my favorites:

http://modernhousenotes.blogspot.com/

On paper, The Farnsworth House (which I've never seen in person) is still my favorite over PJ's glass house, though Philip always had the best eyeglass frames...what a wonderful example he was of how productive, creative and amazing one can continue to be through one's twilight years (that sounds terrible, "twilight years" but you know what I mean).

Becky

ellie48 says:

I love the Barcelona chair. Indeed, I work with a vendor who offers it in 150 fabrics and leathers. Such a cool chair. Thanks for the post Becky.

Denise Vilim says:

Thanks for your continued icons contributions Becky!! Love those modern masterpieces!
The Barcelona Chair may be a versatile work of art, but I want it in a Bauhaus!!
I can dream...

Debra Carrillo says:

Barcelona chairs along with the Eeames chair are the BEST!

claudiao says:

We love our Barcelona chairs. They came from an older office building in Chicago to a dealer there and then to us. I never thought these chairs looked comfortable, but they really are. My husband likes sitting on one and playing his guitar without being crunched by any arms.

joycebok says:

I have sat in claudiao's chairs (she is my sister) and indeed, they are comfortable!! I never knew what a treasure she had!!

midmodfan says:

Mies is my all time favorite architect, the Barcelona chairs are beautiful (we own one in black leather) and when it comes to the Glass House and Farnsworth, I also prefer the latter. Loooove that it is elevated and floats above the ground. Farnsworth has a pretty good website, by the way. Lots of eye candy.

Lindsay Daniel says:

Does anyone know where I can get a Barcelona chair that won't cost me thousands of dollars? I love the look but I can't afford the original one. I also don't want a knockoff that looks like its made with pleather. Thanks!

Becky Harris says:

Lindsay, I'd search high and low for a used licensed one - Craigslist, those magical once a year DWR blowout sales, eBay, etc.

Mid Mod, I love the Farnsworth site. It was so sad during the flooding last year. Looks like it's recovered well! Also, speaking of iconic houses, I noticed one can now visit The Miller House through the Indianapolis Museum of Art with much more ease than in the past.

ellie48 says:

The Barcelona chair. I love it. Iconic indeed. So cool and very comfortable. I also work with a vendor who offers if in a slew of leather colors and fabrics!! Thank you Becky.