The Windsor-style chair has a storied history, allegedly becoming popular when King George II took refuge from a storm in a peasant’s cottage and, so impressed by its comfort, asked his own artisans to copy the design for Windsor Castle. English settlers introduced the chair to America in the 1700s, bringing them from England because they were lightweight and easy to travel with or move around a room.
They were used both indoors and outdoors with a variety of woods, colors and back styles, though the American version eventually developed without the “splat” central back piece that was common in Britain. These chairs became synonymous with the Founding Fathers and traditional Americana design. The classic style has taken on myriad variations over the years, and this clean-lined, decidedly modern version has become a favorite in many of your homes and in our catalog.
Introduced to Unison in 2017, the Ironica Chair takes inspiration from the original Windsor-inspired design. This was the very first dining chair we introduced into our furniture collection. We admired the chair in 2008 when we photographed it with a table linen collection for the catalog and returned to it for various photoshoots before adding it to our assortment. Attracted to its modern interpretation of a design, we love that it feels at home in both traditional and modern settings.
Available in a range of colors, its striking comb back establishes a strongly geometric silhouette, while its gently curved seat makes a commitment to comfort. The steam-bent, saddle-style seat is a signature feature of the Ironica Chair and its shape allows its occupant to sit easily at a desk, table or gathered around a fireplace for hours on end. Its seven tapered, hand-smoothed spindles and frame are lightweight, yet sturdy, making it a versatile piece of furniture.
Each chair is made with solid beech wood using mortise-and-tenon joinery techniques, which lends strength, durability and the ability to withstand the natural expansion and contraction of wood. The kiln-dried, natural beech wood is finished with a transparent water-based lacquer to keep each chair looking newly-made for years to come.
These chairs are built from PEFC-certified wood, which has been harvested according to the highest ecological, social and ethical standards. Each piece is manufactured to reduce the amount of unusable waste, from the selection of raw materials through product construction and packaging.
That versatility is a key component of what we look for when expanding our collection at Unison. We love the idea that these chairs can hold a permanent position around a dining table or be tucked here and there into living spaces and bedrooms, so you’re prepared for the moment a larger group gathers. It’s also become a tried and true favorite desk chair, creating a professional and comfortable workspace without sacrificing good design. Wherever you decide to put the Ironica Chair, you’ll find it feels right at home.
