Icon: The Beautiful, Classic Windsor Chair
A Much-Loved Traditional Design Moves on With the Times
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
Today's icon is going to be a bit more original 13 colonies than usual; we are going to be reaching way beyond the mid-century modern era to pluck a chair first designed in the British Isles in the 1700s. It is the Windsor Chair, which explorers to the New World dragged with them across the Atlantic. These settlers continued the tradition of making these chairs, tweaking the design here and there and adapting them to fit into different eras. They also continued to lug them across what is now the United States as they headed west. Thus, the Windsor is now something many Americans are surprised to learn originated in England (sorry Brits!).
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| Wondering why I'm reaching back to colonial times for a "modern icon" this week? It's personal — I just arrived at our family place in Maine and gasped when I saw that the Windsor chairs from Windsor Chairmakers had arrived. They are so beautiful that this picture does not do them justice. There are some fine craftsman across the U.S.A. who are experts at making Windsor chairs, and if you are able to afford them, you really get what you pay for. |
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I've been collecting images of Windsor chairs on Houzz for quite awhile and it's been really fun to sit down and see how they all look in one ideabook. The types of spaces, tables they are paired with, design details, and styles of architecture are so different in each picture. Not even I realized just how versatile they are until just now.
Here, a Windsor makes a perfect side chair in a small bedroom. In tight cabins and cottages, you may need to store a dining chair in each bedroom and drag them out to the dining area when the leaves on the tables are up.
Here, a Windsor makes a perfect side chair in a small bedroom. In tight cabins and cottages, you may need to store a dining chair in each bedroom and drag them out to the dining area when the leaves on the tables are up.
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| Windsors are a perfect match for this transitional eat-in kitchen. While the prep area is clean and modern, the oriental rug, six-over-one windows, cabinet details and the classic chairs ground things in tradition. The Vendome Chandelier is a great piece that can navigate between traditional and modern styles. |
These chairs and captain's-style table fit right into this airy tropical room. There are many variations of Windsor chairs; note that the legs on this set have a lot of detailing.
by Meredith Heron
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More stripped-down models of the Windsor fit into more modern and contemporary spaces with ease. In this example, the basic chairs serve as modern chairs, even when paired with a country-style table. The rug, clean and bright white surfaces, and other furnishings in the room make this room contemporary overall.
| This version is a lot more ornate than the typical Windsor. Thus, the chairs draw most of the attention, which is just fine; the rest of the room is very clean and strictly black and white. |
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This historic home in Austin is the perfect spot for a Windsor. It conjures up images of early Texas settlers bringing very few belongings to the frontier, but making sure a Windsor chair was one of them. Look closely as the color of the chair is blending in with the wall a bit. This is a comb-back Windsor.
Without the touches of tradition provided by this dining group, this room might feel a bit cold. The rich woods, curved shapes and charm of these pieces give a comfortable feeling of home.
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A peek through a large door shows that some blond Windsors fitting right into a very contemporary space.
| A Windsor side chair also makes an attractive desk chair. In this room the curved back plays off the simple arch over the doors, preventing it from being the lone curve in the room. |
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This stripped down model looks almost Asian-inspired to me. It's kind of Monticello-meets-tea house.
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| More Asian touches work in harmony with a set of Windsors. |
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| Windsors are sturdy yet have a very delicate quality. This really shows up in this picture; you really have to look hard to notice the comb-back Windsor at the far end of the table. This leaves things more open visually (that's why we chose them to sit in front of our harbor view).
Next: A few favorite Windsor pieces chosen by Houzz staffers, in case this ideabook has you interested in adding one to your home. |
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This new Windsor bench is updated yet classic. It's a perfect way to set the tone in an entry hall.
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West Elm has taken the traditional chair and created a sort of Papasan/Windsor hybrid. It's a fun take on the classic chair.
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This is a very fairly priced and attractive Windsor side chair.
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Restoration Hardware has come up with a solid oak version. It's rustic yet has shapely legs.
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Today you can also find the bar/counter stool version of a Windsor. It's a fun classic stool, and they are more comfortable than most.
by Maine Cottage
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For a more cottage-y look, go for a Windsor painted in a fun color. Of course, if you should happen to find at a yard sale some Windsors that have seen better days, this is an easy look to achieve.
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This chair is handmade to order by expert craftsmen at Windsor Chairmakers in Lincolnville Maine. See the first comment below for a few fun shots of their amazing location. If you are looking for the exact chairs we ordered, opt for the straight spindles. The extra detailing on this one makes it more traditional, while the straight legs and spindles are more modern.
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The desk and drawer (under the seat) were originally added to this chair so that people could have a portable work surface to pull right up to the warmth of the fireplace on cold nights.
Have you been passed a Windsor chair through the generations? Do you have a story about one? I'll start. My good friend Lucia loved Windsor chairs so much that her then-boyfriend bought her a handmade one in lieu of an engagement ring. Of course, they are married now!
More:
The Perfect Farm Table
Modern Icons: The Marais A Chair
Wingbacks: Character for Every Space and Style
Comments
Becky Harris I can't help but add a few pictures of the surroundings at Windsor Chairmakers in Lincolnville Maine. Even if you aren't in the market for any furniture, it's a fun trip to make. 
24 months ago · Like
12steps4remodel Six unfinished Windsor chairs was the second purchase my husband I made almost 30 years ago (the first being the unfinished table a few weeks earlier). We bought it from an old man on the first business day of the new year. When we had considered and talked we decided they were too expensive, he lowered the price because he said it was good luck to close the first sale of the year. We ended up with 6 chairs for $200 that we still have and yes, they are incredibly sturdy and comfortable for long dinners and conversations.
24 months ago · Like
Becky Harris I love it 12steps4! Thanks for sharing :)
24 months ago · Like
renovation Hi Becky - thank you so much for this idea book. I'm in the process of remodeling and my dining room set is Amish furniture that my parents gave me as a present years ago. The chairs are sheaf-back chairs, rather than Windsor chairs, but the concept is similar. Anyway, I was wondering if they looked out-of-place with the new decor but after seeing these pictures, I'm not concerned anymore and so excited! Thanks again! By the way, your family home looks gorgeous!
24 months ago · Like
maureenfox I was at Windsor Chairmakers last summer, and highly recommend the trip (in a beautiful part of Maine) as well. I think I sat in every different chair they made, and even if these chairs are more than you've budgeted for, there's lot to learn about comfort and quality by touring such a facility. Also, the fact that the chairs would certainly become family heirlooms might make you change your mind about their affordability. Very well made, and great people to boot.
9 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on June 7, 2011.
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