Are These Chairs the Most Versatile Dining Chairs Ever?

Are These Chairs the Most Versatile Dining Chairs Ever?

For years, I was like Goldilocks when it came to

dining chairs. I went through three different sets before finally settling on vintage

Paul McCobb Planner Group chairs. They’re decidedly mid-century in their provenance, but

really, they’re a riff on a classic spindle chair that could have been designed by the

Shakers. I chose them because they are simple, sturdy, and comfortable, but I would also

argue that this type of modern spindle chair is one of the most versatile dining chairs you

can purchase. 

    Today’s spindle chairs can easily go farmhouse or modern, depending on what table and

linens you pair them with. They also have a knack for looking right at home in both casual

and formal settings. Many are painted black, which both harks back to traditional Windsor

chairs and creates a visually striking silhouette, but you can find them in a range of

finishes or paint some in a rainbow of shades yourself, if you want to. If you’re looking

to upgrade your dining table setup, consider these eight spindle

armchair contenders. They’re all made

from solid wood, so they are built to last for years—and will likely still be in style for

the long haul.

    Salt Chair

    Ton’s beech Ironica chair, sold by Design Within Reach as the “Salt Chair,” is an

icon in its own right. The company has been selling this slender take on a spindle for more

than a decade and currently stocks four finishes—white, grey, black and natural. This is

one instance when DWR is more “within reach.” If you search for the Ironica from other

retailers, you will find other colors but with higher price points.

    J77 Dining Chair

    Hay is another European manufacturer that makes its own modern take on a spindle chair.

Their J77 dining chair is a personal favorite, thanks to its stylish, lower-profile back.

This design is part of Hay’s 2011 relaunch of furniture originally made for FDB, the

Danish Consumers’ Co-operative Society in the 1940s, and it comes in a few different

colors as well.

    Magnolia Home Vermont Chimney Dining Side Chair

    Of course Joanna Gaines, the queen of modern farmhouse style, has not one, but two,

spindle chairs in her collection for Living Spaces. This particular style skews a little

more on the rustic side and has just the right proportions for a smaller dining area or

breakfast nook.

    NORRARYD chair

    IKEA discontinued their OLLE chair, which was my favorite of their spindle

dining chairs and the perfect

match to my son’s junior chair, but they do have an option in their current catalog. The

NORRARYD chair, which comes in black and white, costs just $75, so it’s a great budget

option, even if the OLLE was a little more sleek.

    Taylor Solid Wood Dining Chairs

    Joss & Main sells many takes on a spindle chair, but the Taylor Solid Wood Dining Chair

comes in an interesting two-tone colorway that sets it apart from many of the others on the

market. These would be at home in any Scandi or farmhouse  modern decor scheme.
    Windsor Dining Chairs

    West Elm’s Windsor Dining Chairs are a surprisingly affordable option at less than

$100 apiece. These are a collaboration with the London-based designer Aaron Probyn. You’ll

have to wait a little while for these, since like many of the brand’s furniture pieces,

they’re backordered until October. If you order now though, you’ll have them well before

hosting Thanksgiving (if that’s a possibility this year).
    Thatcher Chair
    If American-made is important to you, the Thatcher Chair with

bar stool from Room & Board is a

solid but expensive option. The back is slightly higher than most dining chairs and

dining table, which creates a

dramatic silhouette. Crafted from maple with mortise-and-tenon joints, you can consider

this style an heirloom in the making.

    Spindle Solid Wood Windsor Back Side Chair

    Want to make a bold move? Try this set of chairs finished in a shiny, electric shade of

raspberry. They’re the perfect way to perk up a white tulip style table and can also work

with blonde and mid-tone woods, too.