Must-Know Chair: The Adirondack
Sit back and enjoy the sunshine knowing the interesting history of this icon of American summers
The Adirondack chair is as American as hot dogs and apple pie, and come summer in the US of A, you’ll find balconies, backyards and beaches littered with these timber treasures. Perfect for outdoor lounging and socialising, the Adirondack chair offers cushion-free comfort, along with armrests wide enough for your favourite bevvy and a hot summer read.
Adirondack chairs (sometimes known as Westport, Cape Cod or Muskoka) have gained popularity in Australia in recent years, as decorators and homeowners have looked to the Hamptons for design inspiration. Here’s what you need to know about the history, style and use of this distinctive design.
Adirondack chairs (sometimes known as Westport, Cape Cod or Muskoka) have gained popularity in Australia in recent years, as decorators and homeowners have looked to the Hamptons for design inspiration. Here’s what you need to know about the history, style and use of this distinctive design.
The design is based on that of an earlier chair called the ‘Westport plank chair’ designed by Thomas Lee in 1903. Lee designed and built the Westport plank chair with a deeply pitched seat and slanting back, a style already popular in the Adirondacks, as they allowed people to sit upright even when on steep ground.
Lee offered his design to his carpenter friend, Harry Bunnell, who immediately saw the commercial potential of the chair. Bunnell patented the Westport chair (pictured) and successfully manufactured and sold it for the next two decades.
Many of these chairs went to the convalescent homes in the Adirondack Mountains, as caregivers believed them to be well-suited for tuberculosis patients. They could sit outdoors and recuperate in the fresh mountain air.
Lee offered his design to his carpenter friend, Harry Bunnell, who immediately saw the commercial potential of the chair. Bunnell patented the Westport chair (pictured) and successfully manufactured and sold it for the next two decades.
Many of these chairs went to the convalescent homes in the Adirondack Mountains, as caregivers believed them to be well-suited for tuberculosis patients. They could sit outdoors and recuperate in the fresh mountain air.
In 1938, Irving Wolpin of Ocean Beach, New Jersey received a patent for his lawn chair, which takes the design of the Adirondack chair. With the same overall shape as the Westport chair, it featured thinner slats, a fanned and rounded back and a contoured seat.
This is now widely accepted as the general style of the Adirondack, which has since become the quintessential chair for kicking back in summer.
This is now widely accepted as the general style of the Adirondack, which has since become the quintessential chair for kicking back in summer.
THE CHAIR
Traditional Adirondack chairs are made of wood and have a curved and fanned back, a contoured seat and arms that are generously wide and flat. The real comfort of the Adirondack chair comes from the angles – of the seat to the back, and the legs to the seat. The chair has a deep seat and slanting back and can be paired with a footrest for true lounging comfort.
Today, you’ll find the chair with varying numbers of slats, straight backs, flat seats and other slight changes to the design, and it’s available in plastic and other materials too. Adirondacks come as traditional single chairs, rockers, loungers, love seats, two chairs connected by a table, chairs with curved tops, chairs with pointed tops and in a variety of colours.
Traditional Adirondack chairs are made of wood and have a curved and fanned back, a contoured seat and arms that are generously wide and flat. The real comfort of the Adirondack chair comes from the angles – of the seat to the back, and the legs to the seat. The chair has a deep seat and slanting back and can be paired with a footrest for true lounging comfort.
Today, you’ll find the chair with varying numbers of slats, straight backs, flat seats and other slight changes to the design, and it’s available in plastic and other materials too. Adirondacks come as traditional single chairs, rockers, loungers, love seats, two chairs connected by a table, chairs with curved tops, chairs with pointed tops and in a variety of colours.
THE TREND
The trend of Adirondack chairs is all about the season; the summer season to be precise. They conjure up a picture of leisure, relaxation and socialising, epitomising summer on America’s East Coast.
The trend of Adirondack chairs is all about the season; the summer season to be precise. They conjure up a picture of leisure, relaxation and socialising, epitomising summer on America’s East Coast.
HOW TO USE IT
Adirondacks are perfect for soaking up the sunshine, getting cosy around a fire, watching the sunset, reading the paper or drinking cocktails with friends. Here’s a small selection of how to make the best use of your Adirondacks.
On the deck, balcony or verandah
Enjoy the view from an Adirondack chair, which is well-suited to outdoor use, be it on a deck, the verandah or a balcony.
30 stunning decks
Adirondacks are perfect for soaking up the sunshine, getting cosy around a fire, watching the sunset, reading the paper or drinking cocktails with friends. Here’s a small selection of how to make the best use of your Adirondacks.
On the deck, balcony or verandah
Enjoy the view from an Adirondack chair, which is well-suited to outdoor use, be it on a deck, the verandah or a balcony.
30 stunning decks
In an indoor/outdoor living space
Adirondack chairs can ride the line between indoor and outdoor spaces. They have the comfort of an indoor chair with the look and durability of an outdoor chair.
Adirondack chairs can ride the line between indoor and outdoor spaces. They have the comfort of an indoor chair with the look and durability of an outdoor chair.
Around a fire
Cosy up in the courtyard and watch the flames of a fireplace or fire pit.
The essential guide to fire pits
Cosy up in the courtyard and watch the flames of a fireplace or fire pit.
The essential guide to fire pits
On the front porch
Pull up a couple of Adirondack rockers on the porch and watch the world go by.
Pull up a couple of Adirondack rockers on the porch and watch the world go by.
By the pool
Lounge by the pool and either soak up some rays or read a book before cooling off in the water.
Plan a poolside paradise
Lounge by the pool and either soak up some rays or read a book before cooling off in the water.
Plan a poolside paradise
In the garden
Enjoy the tranquility of a private getaway in your own garden or backyard.
Enjoy the tranquility of a private getaway in your own garden or backyard.
THE STYLE
Adirondack chairs are ideal for creating a space that suggests relaxation and free time. While the style of an Adirondack is classic and somewhat traditional, you’ll find the chair will suit a range of settings. But for a point of difference, it all comes down to colour.
Beach house or Hamptons
A soft colour palette will create the feel of a laid-back beach house or an elegant Hamptons-style space.
So your style is Hamptons
Adirondack chairs are ideal for creating a space that suggests relaxation and free time. While the style of an Adirondack is classic and somewhat traditional, you’ll find the chair will suit a range of settings. But for a point of difference, it all comes down to colour.
Beach house or Hamptons
A soft colour palette will create the feel of a laid-back beach house or an elegant Hamptons-style space.
So your style is Hamptons
Resort luxury
You can’t go past crisp white chairs with sea blue cushions to create a smart and trendy resort-like feel.
You can’t go past crisp white chairs with sea blue cushions to create a smart and trendy resort-like feel.
Contemporary
Vibrant in orange – an on-trend colour at the moment – these Adirondack chairs are a stand-out against the neutral tones of this contemporary home.
Vibrant in orange – an on-trend colour at the moment – these Adirondack chairs are a stand-out against the neutral tones of this contemporary home.
Eclectic
In bright violet, these Adirondack chairs with added foot stools add a pop of colour to this shaded courtyard sanctuary.
Embrace your eclecticism
In bright violet, these Adirondack chairs with added foot stools add a pop of colour to this shaded courtyard sanctuary.
Embrace your eclecticism
Cottage
Au naturale – these weathered wood chairs are traditional and well-suited to a cottage or a more traditional home.
Au naturale – these weathered wood chairs are traditional and well-suited to a cottage or a more traditional home.
Mediterranean
In deep, rich brown, these lounger-style chairs create a warm accent against the peach and terracotta tones.
In deep, rich brown, these lounger-style chairs create a warm accent against the peach and terracotta tones.
Rustic
Go for a rustic vibe with golden-hued Adirondack chairs. They are warm and inviting and look right at home surrounded by other rustic timber furniture.
Go for a rustic vibe with golden-hued Adirondack chairs. They are warm and inviting and look right at home surrounded by other rustic timber furniture.
Mix and match
And of course, don’t be afraid to have fun with colour – mix and match for a vibrant outdoor setting.
Colour combos that break the rules
And of course, don’t be afraid to have fun with colour – mix and match for a vibrant outdoor setting.
Colour combos that break the rules
WHERE TO BUY THEM
TELL US
Do you have an Adirondack chair? Upload a photo of it to the Comments section.
MORE
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- You can buy Adirondack chairs for varying prices depending on quality. Some will last a season while others will last a lifetime.
- If you’re a natural when it comes to working with wood – or know someone who is – try making your own. There are lots of free plans on the internet, so search around for the one you like best. Then kick back, relax and enjoy those sweet summer rays in custom-made comfort.
TELL US
Do you have an Adirondack chair? Upload a photo of it to the Comments section.
MORE
Garden Seating Nooks Worth Dreaming About
Outdoor Bench Seating Solutions for Small Spaces
Must-Know Chair: The Chinese Chippendale
The Adirondack chair (pronounced Ad-i-ron-dack) hails from Westport, New York, east of the Adirondack Mountains, and was developed as an outdoor lounge chair in the early 1900s.