Vintage Classic: The Toledo Stool

See why this antique draftsman's chair Is having its moment in modern home design

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.

Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More »

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The Toledo stool is a classic piece with an industrial aesthetic that can sidle right up to a counter or bar in just about any style of room. The company that designed them was originally a bicycle company that jumped to making furniture as cars began to take over.

Much like bicycle design, The Toledo Metal Furniture Company's furniture was designed to stand up to rugged conditions. These stools, designed in the early 1900s, were created with schools, industrial shops and draftspeople in mind. Their charming silhouettes and mix of bent wood and metal create a look that can go vintage industrial, mid-century modern, traditional or contemporary. See how designers are incorporating them into homes today.

by Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.

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This transitional space gains a bit of quirky personality from the stool.

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by Schwartz and Architecture

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Vintage Toledo Stools add an industrial touch to this fresh kitchen remodel. The wood and metal play off the new finishes.

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by Incorporated

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Here the stools add Industrial-Age character to the mid-century vibe of this home. The Toledo Metal Furniture Company was bending wood long before Charles and Ray Eames came along.

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by Jane Kim Design

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This design of this loft was inspired by the streets of Tribeca as well as the building's former life as an industrial warehouse. The vintage Toledo stools fit right in with the reclaimed wood, exposed brick and metal finishes. In fact, they could have been used in the building back when it was functioning as a warehouse.

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by Jane Kim Design

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These stools are not limited to the kitchen. In the same loft, another vintage Toledo provides a perch for putting on one's face.

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by Rebekah Zaveloff

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The stools are an integral part of this cottage kitchen's collected aesthetic.

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by Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs

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This sleek kitchen gets some patina style from the rough-hewn beam, bin pull hardware and Toledo stools.

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by Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs

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The wood on the stools harmonizes with the wooden table, benches and beams. The smaller stools next to the ottoman have the same aesthetic. The are Contact Stools from CB2.

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by Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs

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This is the backless cousin of the Toledo stool. Restoration Hardware currently makes reproductions of both versions, while a search of recently completed auctions on eBay found that vintage versions go for around the same price as the reproductions.

More: Surprisingly Versatile: Old-School Stools
Vintage Modern: What Does It Mean?
Industrial Elements: Factory Style at Home

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Comments

Deborah Hall says:

I now have two of the Restoration Hardware Toledo bar stools in our newly restored old gum wood kitchen. (My husband decided he was not fond of the mango wood stools so he is making new ones out of walnut). These stools were perfect for our kitchen -- and thanks to this article I now know their provenance. They were first issued about the time our house was built (early twenties).

6 months ago · Like

camabea3 says:

where do the toledo stools with te back come from are they from Restoration or Toledo company and what is the finish on the seat and back and do they com in different heights bar and counter......Margaret

6 months ago · Like

Amy Renea says:

gorgeous ideabook and toledo stools are SO on my wish list!

6 months ago · Like

emm2281 says:

Restoration Hardware sells both versions. I recently bought two on eBay though for FAR cheaper and I appreciate their authenticity and wear on top of it. They also blend well in my new traditional kitchen in my 20s bungalow and theyre remarkably comfortable because they mold right to you. And adjustable across quite a height range - I use them as chairs at a table but they go up to bar height.

6 months ago · Like

Becky Harris says:

Yes, to be clear, these images are a mix of original vintage stools from The Toledo Metal Furniture Company and reproductions from Restoration Hardware. When I looked up what the former had to offer these days, they have changed their focus to furniture for schools and workplaces - computer desks, etc. At one point I believe they changed from bent wood to plastic because it was more durable and easier to make. I don't think there is any licensing involved over at Resto. They have a few color options and backless and with the back, with different metal finishes.

6 months ago · Like