Must-Know Chair: The Windsor
The Windsor chair deservedly takes its place at the table with a design and quality craftsmanship that has endured centuries
The Windsor chair is one style of dining chair that remains as relevant today as it was 300 years ago. With a sculpted back of turned spindles and a base of straight, splayed legs, the Windsor is an elegant piece of craftsmanship that makes its home in both contemporary and traditional interiors. Ever popular in America and England, the Windsor chair has also gained a contemporary following in Australia in recent years. Here’s what to know about the history, use and style of the world-famous design.
THE CHAIR
Windsor chairs were designed to be light and portable in order to be easily carried from room to room. They have an open frame, and while their construction may look simple, steam-bent elements raise the level of complexity.
A Windsor chair has a solid wooden seat into which the individual components of the chair back and legs are pushed via drilled holes. The seat surface is carved into a shallow dish or saddle shape for comfort, and the legs are splayed at angles fore and aft (rake) as well as side to side (splay). Traditionally, the legs and uprights were turned on a pole lathe, and the back and sometimes the arm pieces (if present) were formed from steam-bent wood.
Windsor chairs were designed to be light and portable in order to be easily carried from room to room. They have an open frame, and while their construction may look simple, steam-bent elements raise the level of complexity.
A Windsor chair has a solid wooden seat into which the individual components of the chair back and legs are pushed via drilled holes. The seat surface is carved into a shallow dish or saddle shape for comfort, and the legs are splayed at angles fore and aft (rake) as well as side to side (splay). Traditionally, the legs and uprights were turned on a pole lathe, and the back and sometimes the arm pieces (if present) were formed from steam-bent wood.
THE TREND
Windsor chairs proved to be popular garden seats in 18th-century England, often painted green or left to weather in the elements. By the late 1750s, the chair was as popular indoors as it was outdoors and could be seen in a number of places including taverns, inns, libraries and meeting houses – to name a few.
In North America, the Windsor chair became hugely popular around the time of the Revolution, particularly in Philadelphia. In fact, it became such a ubiquitous – and ultimately symbolic – part of life in America that Thomas Jefferson is said to have written the Declaration of Independence seated in one, and Martha Washington sat in one as she did her needlework.
Windsor chairs proved to be popular garden seats in 18th-century England, often painted green or left to weather in the elements. By the late 1750s, the chair was as popular indoors as it was outdoors and could be seen in a number of places including taverns, inns, libraries and meeting houses – to name a few.
In North America, the Windsor chair became hugely popular around the time of the Revolution, particularly in Philadelphia. In fact, it became such a ubiquitous – and ultimately symbolic – part of life in America that Thomas Jefferson is said to have written the Declaration of Independence seated in one, and Martha Washington sat in one as she did her needlework.
HOW TO USE IT
The Windsor chair is well suited to being used as a dining chair due to its comfort and portability. It is both casual and elegant and can be used in formal and informal settings.
Choosing the right dining chair
The Windsor chair is well suited to being used as a dining chair due to its comfort and portability. It is both casual and elegant and can be used in formal and informal settings.
Choosing the right dining chair
Occasional or side chairs
As an occasional or side chair, the Windsor’s open-back design creates an airy, light and transparent aesthetic against the wall.
As an occasional or side chair, the Windsor’s open-back design creates an airy, light and transparent aesthetic against the wall.
THE STYLES
Windsors come in a variety of styles and suit a range of interiors. The spindled backs come in different heights and shapes, and usually give the identifying name to the style of chair. Here is a small selection of some of the most popular chairs and and the interiors in which they dwell.
Master the art of mix-and-match dining chairs
Windsors come in a variety of styles and suit a range of interiors. The spindled backs come in different heights and shapes, and usually give the identifying name to the style of chair. Here is a small selection of some of the most popular chairs and and the interiors in which they dwell.
Master the art of mix-and-match dining chairs
Bow-back (hoop-back or loop-back)
The bow-back Windsor has a back formed by a continuous steam-bent bow wedged into the seat at either end. This creates the look of a hoop or loop traversing the back of the chair.
IN A TRADITIONAL INTERIOR: The bow-back’s curving form and turned legs are complementary to the furniture and architectural details of a traditional-style home.
The bow-back Windsor has a back formed by a continuous steam-bent bow wedged into the seat at either end. This creates the look of a hoop or loop traversing the back of the chair.
IN A TRADITIONAL INTERIOR: The bow-back’s curving form and turned legs are complementary to the furniture and architectural details of a traditional-style home.
Continuous armchair
Similar to the bow-back, the continuous armchair has a looping back. However, the bow culminates in arm rails rather than in the seat. It is steam-bent in two directions to produce a graceful sweeping curve for both the back and armrests.
IN A COUNTRY-STYLE INTERIOR: The Windsor chair works well against the panelled wall in this minimalist country-style dining room, creating an emphasis on the chair’s vertical lines and clean, simple form.
Similar to the bow-back, the continuous armchair has a looping back. However, the bow culminates in arm rails rather than in the seat. It is steam-bent in two directions to produce a graceful sweeping curve for both the back and armrests.
IN A COUNTRY-STYLE INTERIOR: The Windsor chair works well against the panelled wall in this minimalist country-style dining room, creating an emphasis on the chair’s vertical lines and clean, simple form.
Fan-back
As the name suggests, the fan-back is formed by spindles that fan up and out to a rail or comb piece at the top. The height of the fan can vary, creating high or low fan-back chairs.
IN A MODERN INTERIOR: Here, the Windsor chair suits the black and white colour palette, adding timeless character to an otherwise modern interior.
As the name suggests, the fan-back is formed by spindles that fan up and out to a rail or comb piece at the top. The height of the fan can vary, creating high or low fan-back chairs.
IN A MODERN INTERIOR: Here, the Windsor chair suits the black and white colour palette, adding timeless character to an otherwise modern interior.
Rod-back or low-back
The rod-back Windsor is similar to the fan-back, but here a sinuous rod forms the top rail rather than a thicker comb piece.
IN A CONTEMPORARY INTERIOR: The Windsor can look as fresh and up-to-date today as it did 300 years ago. In a contemporary interior, choose a chair without turned legs or spindles for clean, modern lines.
The rod-back Windsor is similar to the fan-back, but here a sinuous rod forms the top rail rather than a thicker comb piece.
IN A CONTEMPORARY INTERIOR: The Windsor can look as fresh and up-to-date today as it did 300 years ago. In a contemporary interior, choose a chair without turned legs or spindles for clean, modern lines.
Settee
The Windsor even comes in settees that accommodate up to four people. This one has a side table that is used here for magazines, but could even be a throwback to the retro telephone table.
IN A SCANDI OR MINIMALIST INTERIOR: The Windsor chair perfectly suits a Scandinavian or minimalist interior due to the emphasis on line and form, as well as attention to craftsmanship.
Does antique furniture belong in modern homes?
The Windsor even comes in settees that accommodate up to four people. This one has a side table that is used here for magazines, but could even be a throwback to the retro telephone table.
IN A SCANDI OR MINIMALIST INTERIOR: The Windsor chair perfectly suits a Scandinavian or minimalist interior due to the emphasis on line and form, as well as attention to craftsmanship.
Does antique furniture belong in modern homes?
WHERE TO BUY
Because ‘Windsor’ is a style rather than a manufacturer or designer, you’ll find the chairs in a variety of places, in diverse forms and of differing ages.
TELL US
Do you have a Windsor chair or chairs? If so, please share your pictures in the Comments section.
MORE
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Because ‘Windsor’ is a style rather than a manufacturer or designer, you’ll find the chairs in a variety of places, in diverse forms and of differing ages.
- Check furniture and homeware stores for new Windsor chairs.
- Visit local auction houses and websites for secondhand chairs, or keep an eye on the local markets or secondhand stores – you never know what may turn up.
- Contact a local craftsperson to make one, or consider making one yourself if woodworking is your thing. There are lots of plans and instructions online, and given the varying elements, you could even customise it to suit your taste.
TELL US
Do you have a Windsor chair or chairs? If so, please share your pictures in the Comments section.
MORE
Thonet Chairs: Design Classics for More Than 150 Years
Must-Know Chair: The Chinese Chippendale
Design Classics: Frank Gehry’s Wiggle Side Chair
The Windsor chair is believed to have made its debut around the 16th century in the English county of Buckinghamshire. Gaining popularity with furniture dealers in London in the 1700s, the name is thought to be derived from the town of Windsor – the centre for trade between London and High Wycombe, where the chair was produced.
The first chairs had a comb-back design (similar to that pictured here), before 18th-century steam-bending technology produced the characteristic ‘bow’. English settlers introduced the chair to America in the 1720s, where many craftsmen put their own spin on the design of the Windsor.