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Style Guide: Bistro Chairs
European sidewalks gave us bistro chairs, but this classic furniture style is seen in homes around the world. Pick a fave from our roundup
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 »
If you're looking for stylish dining chairs, take a virtual trip over to European bistros and cafés. The bistro chairs designed there have been ruling this category for more than 150 years. We've featured articles on a few of our favorites in the past, but I thought I'd make it easy and lasso them into one group so that you can choose a favorite. If you can't narrow it down to one, that's just fine; each of the following styles is so versatile that just about any mixed and matched collection is smashing.
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Bentwood chairs. Designed by Michael Thonet back in the 1850s, these chairs reign as the granddaddies of bistro chairs. Their gorgeous curves and sturdy functionality make them a home and restaurant staple that never goes out of style. There are many different iterations of the bentwood chair, some by Thonet and a plethora of imitations. The one you see above is the Bentwood Chair with Arch Brace.
by Ben Herzog
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This variation on the original bentwood chair is the Era chair. Reproductions are available in natural wood and in an array of bright colors. It is available with a caned or solid seat.
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| These farmhouse-style café chairs were inspired by Thonet's original A150 Bentwood Chair. Williams-Sonoma has a similar chair called the Bosquet Side Chair, and Ballard Designs offers the Constance Chair. |
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by Dreamy Whites
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| Classic folding French bistro chairs are light and portable, and can fold up for storage or be carried out to the terrace or garden with ease. Blogger Maria of Dreamy Whites uses them as the ideal seating to fit in with her Scandinavian/shabby chic aesthetic. |
If you hanker for modern over shabby chic, don't dismiss this style of bistro chair. Chartreuse gives these folding bistro chairs all the modern style they need to fit in at a contemporary farmhouse.
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See the rest of this home
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| The armchair version is a sturdier and more comfortable version, and it has rustic French farm appeal. These chairs (available at bistrosets.com) have a similar look. |
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by Julie Holloway
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| The Marais A Chair. Designed by French metalworker Xavier Pauchard back in the 1930s, this chair's classic industrial style has never been more popular. |
While the galvanized metal in gunmetal gray has big industrial appeal, the bright colors it comes in are very appealing.
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| The Praque chair. This industrial chair brings in more flair, with a few extra curves and a lighter silhouette. |
by Scot Eckley Inc
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Let's pause for a little folding bistro/Marais mashup. The mix of wood and metal ties this dining area together beautifully.
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Woven French bistro chairs. Observe the chairs in their natural habitat, on the sidewalks of Collioure, France.
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Once woven from Nile river reeds, the chairs are most commonly composed of rattan and rilsan today.
These chairs work well in traditional, transitional, eclectic, modern and contemporary spaces. In fact, all the chairs I've listed have this great versatility.
Browse bistro chairs in the Products section
More:
18 Great Midcentury Modern Chairs
Browse bistro chairs in the Products section
More:
18 Great Midcentury Modern Chairs
Comments
Madison Modern Home We love a good bistro chair, especially because you can usually pick them up for a reasonable price. We like to mix different types together for an eclectic look like we did here. 
12 months ago · Like
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melbourne_mum Love the chairs, but your clever writing made this a fun experience! Looking forward to reading your blog. Melbourne, Australia
12 months ago · Like
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SPACIFY INC, This is lovely. :)
12 months ago · Like
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Marie Meko, Allied ASID Thanks for all the great information! I never new they where orginally from Nile River Reeds! Marie Meko
12 months ago · Like
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Becky Harris Madison Modern, I love your mix!
12 months ago · Like
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Madison Modern Home Thanks, Becky!
12 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on June 3, 2012.
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