Mid Century Modern Design Icons - Saarinen Womb Chair

Eero Saarinen, mastermind behind the iconic Womb Chair,produced a myriad of designs for Knoll that became inextricably linked to the history of the renowned furniture company, unlike Harry Bertoia who created a single collection.

In fact,he designed the enveloping Womb Chair in 1946 thanks to friend Florence Knoll’s request,whom she had the chance of meeting at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. "I told Eero I was sick and tired of the one-dimensional lounge chair…long and narrow." stated Koll, "I want a chair I can sit in sideways or any other way I want to sit in it."

Saarinen rose to this occasion wonderfully with a chair that proved comfy in different positions. It became known as the Womb Chair due to its organic look, and shape providing emotional comfort and sense of security."It was designed on the theory that a great number of people have never really felt comfortable and secure since they left the womb," stated Saarinen.

Apart from its novel look, the Womb Chair is also groundbreaking from a structural perspective. After experimenting with new techniques and materials drawn from the shipbuilding industry, Saarinen was able to construct the chair out of a single piece of material.

The final result?A fiberglass frame and memory foam moldings wrapped in soft wool upholstery sitting on a steel frame with a polished chrome finish- combining simplicity of shape with true comfort!

After its release in 1948, the Womb Chair instantly became a cultural icon. Saarinen’s innovative chair made an appearance in a New Yorker cartoon as well as a Saturday Evening Post cover by Norman Rockwell. A Coca-Cola advertising campaign featured Santa Claus drinking a Coke while sitting on a Womb Chair in 1958.

"Every object, whether large or small, has a relationship with its context," stated Saarinen. "Perhaps the most important thing I learned from my father was that in any design problem, one should seek the solution in terms of the next largest thing.

If the problem is an ashtray, then the way it relates to the table will influence its design. If the problem is a chair, then its solution must be found in the way it relates to the room."

The sculptural Womb Chair achieves this balance effortlessly, matching any interior while still catching the eye to its curves and colors. This design icon has quickly become like an almost ubiquitous addition to any mid century inspired interior.

We hope this info inspires you. As you can see, Saarinen’s Womb Chair is the epitome of mid century modern design. For the Womb Chair reproduction and other coveted furniture pieces, visit Manhattan Home Design.