We'd hazard a guess, with a fair amount of confidence, that the Wishbone chair, designed in 1949 by Hans J. Wegner, is the dining chair seen most frequently in the houses featured on our pages. With its elegant, instantly recognisable curved back with ‘wishbone’ v-shaped support and hand-woven paper cord seat, this Danish mid-century design has led to countless imitations. Its structure strikes the perfect balance between humble and elevated, its form is at once modern and classic, and it provides support in the right places without being cumbersome and overbearing. And while the versatility, lightness and timelessness of the chair means it has very much earned its place in the design hall of fame, its ubiquity has left us thinking, what other options are out there? Chairs that are similar in their streamlined nature, their craft, their modern look or their propensity to occupy an iconic space in the world of furniture design. While we have great fondness for the Wishbone, below we've gathered a collection of our favourite alternative options that could compete to be the star players of your dining room.
Stylish alternatives to the Wishbone chair
An equally lovely, more under the radar Danish mid-century design, the Razorblade, like the Wishbone, has a particularly distinctive back shape, which gives it its name. Designed in the 1960s, this chair comes with upholstered seats for additional comfort, while maintaining the light and elegant look through its delicately carved legs and back. If any more evidence of the cool factor of the Razorblade was needed, tastemaker Lucy Williams opted for this chair in her endlessly desirable London home (above), while in a more traditional setting, it has been used with patterned seats in a Massachusetts house designed by Nina Farmer (below).
The Masters is perhaps the clearest, most contemporary heir to the Wishbone throne, in terms of its similarity in stature, it's immediately recognisable design, yet with a more futuristic appeal and a use of recycled materials. According to the manufacturer Kartell, the chair's silhouette is actually inspired by ‘Arne Jacobsen’s “Serie 7”, Eero Saarinen’s “Tulip Armchair” and Charles Eames’ “Eiffel Chair”’, cementing its place in the design canon alongside its famous predecessors. Though some may see it as only suited to ultra modern houses, the image above from a Bloomsbury mansion designed by David Bentheim, proves that theory wrong. The vibrant red Masters chairs co-exist harmoniously with antiques and rich textiles in a vibrant and eclectic interior.
Selected by commerce editor Arabella Bowes as a worthy successor to the Wishbone, the Rey has a simple, utilitarian silhouette while its gently curving back and circular seat avoid it becoming too stark. ‘For something just as iconic but perhaps less ubiquitous, the Rey chair is a great bet. Designed by Bruno Rey in 1971, the chair is clean-lined and simple without being dull and comes in a variety of cheerful colours. Some iterations come with seat cushions, but we prefer the shape without’, says Arabella. For those worried about space, the chairs can be neatly stacked. Made today by the ever cool Danish contemporary design company Hay, the Rey chair is named after its Swiss designer. He was inspired by bentwood Thonet chairs from the 1800s (more on those further down). We are particularly fond of the impact of the bright red edition, as showcased by Tom Morris in a bright Victorian villa.
Another super famous chair that has cropped up many a time on H&G's pages, the Cesca chair, designed by Marcel Breuer, the popularity of the chair means there are many cheaper reproductions out there, so be aware of this if you're looking for the real deal, vintage or new. Like the Wishbone, this chair is ideal for 20th century design obsessives, but has a more industrial, Bauhaus look due to its ingenious cantilevered tubular steel frame. This is offset by the warmth of the rattan and wood back and seat. We've spotted the Cesca in varying colours and finishes everywhere from Virginia White's mansion flat, to Zoë Zimmer's sleek flat and Gergei Erdei's small London apartment.
The pioneering steam-bent wooden chair, originally manufactured by Michael Thonet in the mid-1800s, is undoubtedly one of the most famous furniture designs in the world. Available in countless variations, with a rattan seat or embossed patterned wooden seat, with or without arms, the chair can be seen in cafés and restaurants around the world, and can be spotted in hundreds of films from La La Land to Cabaret. With a similarly light, curving and elegant form to the Wishbone, we'd recommend classic bentwood chairs for those looking for a more traditional, but just as versatile silhouette. Above, a Thonet dining armchair flanks the table in a Victorian house by Joanna Plant, providing contrast to the plush banquette.
‘I'm quite into these ones from Maison Drucker used in the Notting Hill flat by Natasha Quick, which offer the same rustic, crafted look as the Wishbone but are a little less ubiquitous and have the added benefit of introducing colour’, says acting deputy digital editor Christabel Chubb. Founded in 1885, Maison Louis Drucker is one of the most renowned artisanal factories for traditional rattan. Similar to the armless bentwood chairs, this colourful style of rattan chair is synonymous with French bistros and cafés, and can be spotted on many a Parisian pavement. Though it is equally at home in a domestic setting, adding a touch of French style and craft to a space. Available in a wide range of colours and woven patterns, there's a Drucker chair to suit any dining area.
