I am delighted to welcome a classic friend back from the scorned and rejected decor area. I have always loved the comfort and style of the Wingback Chair and once had one covered in crewel embroidery in which I regularly worked on needlepoint projects or curled up in for a good read. That was in the 80's before they fell out of favor and became thought of as old fashioned. Now you see them everywhere and while these modern Wingback Chairs sport updated shapes, colors, and fabrics, they still maintain the charm that we have come to expect from them.
The Wingback chair has quite a pedigree. Developed in England in the 1600's as wooden chair designed with wings that served two purposes....... keeping cold drafts off the upper part of the body and providing protection from the intense heat of blazing fireplaces.
The style of this chair took off in popularity in Colonial America during the 1700's where it became a household staple. The Wingback Chair began getting cozier with time and by the 1800's the manufacturers of Wingbacks turned to comfort and began incorporating upholstery and generous horsehair stuffing. The French version of the Wingback Chair resulted in the Bergère style chair. It retained the overall design of the Wingback but was designed to have a curving, more flat back and a wider, deeper seat cushion to allow for lounging and was usually beautifully carved. This style Wingback was typically intended to be chairs for the ladies.
The timeless style and practicality of this piece ensures its longevity and whether it is intended for a living room, entryway, or bedroom space, a Wingback Chair will provide a distinguished design element to your home.
Wingback Chairs are characterized by a high back and “wings” that project out and usually extend down the arm rests.
The high-backed Queen Anne style is the Wingback Chair most thought of as traditional Early American. It features cabriole legs, a curved seat cushion, and an exaggerated “wing” that fully encases the head and shoulders of the seated person.
Wingback Chairs graced the hearths of many colonial homes. This one features another popular leg style, the Chippendale leg.
Sometimes call a"fireside chair" English and American Wingback Chairs are more casual than their French counterparts.
When the French embraced the Wingback chair they were soon carved, gilded, and covered with silks, velvets, and fine embroidery.
The French Wingback became the Berger Chair which tended to have less pronounced wings and was more suited for lounging.
With so many fresh designs flooding the marketplace, Wingback Chairs have brought a new perspective to luxury decor.
via Pintrest
The Wingback Chair originated from humble beginnings in England, but it gained popularity in America and France. Today this chair is still loved worldwide and is entering a new phase of design and application.
The timeless style and practicality of this piece ensures that it makes the perfect option for not only bedrooms and living rooms but foyers, family rooms, and libraries. This pair is covered in classical French toile but still looks fresh because of the pop of chartreuse in the metallic leather ottoman and throw.
While the Wingback Chair is traditional in design, the fabric selection, rug, and accessories make this a current and chic space.
via Pinterest
A modern, more angular version of the Wingback Chair, upholstered in a trendy quatrefoil pattern, takes a place of honor at the dining room table.
These lovely Wingback Chairs from Horchow reflect a more modern silhouette.
The leather Wingback Chair is a perennial favorite. This was one of the first type of chairs to be upholstered in leather rather than fabric.
I love how the Wingback Chair has made it's way into the kitchen and dining room.
Today's Wingback Chair can be found covered in bold pattern and color. This is a chair that can be more fun to play with than ever before as it is no longer such a serious piece.
Perfect for an English cottage style interior these skirted Wingback Chairs invite guests to sip tea in comfort. Skirts can turn a more formal chair into a country cousin.
Leigh Olive Mowry-Olive Interiors
Wingback Chairs can show up in almost every room of the house in about every design style you can envision.
These types of chairs also often feature decorative nail heads.
source unknown
Covered in bold upholstery, modern Wingback Chairs can be used to illicit that coveted "wow" from your family and visitors.......
These Wingback Chairs are definitely the stars of this stylish foyer.
This beautiful Wingback Chair does not compromise on either comfort or aesthetics!
The Ritz Hansen Ro Lounge Chair proves that this 300 year old design remains popular today. Bright and futuristic, these Wingbacks have simple, swooping, exaggerated lines due to modest leg styles and dramatically curving backs.
Today's modern Wingbacks may look a bit edgier but all retain the original design of the high back and wings, while still satisfying the demand for comfort.
I hope you are inspired enough to explore the many stylish ways to decorate with this iconic chair.
No matter what your personal taste is there will be a Wingback Chair in a style.........
......or color to satisfy your desire.
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This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer
