Chicago Design Blog | Material Girls | Chicago Interior Design

My intern Colette is an Art History student at Northwestern and recently reminded me about the fascinating history of the now legendary Barcelona Chair.  I am a big fan of the Barcelona Chair for its timeless design and the instant pop of chic it adds to a room.

The Barcelona Chair was actually designed by acclaimed architect Mies Van der Rohe himself for the German Pavilion at the Barcelona World’s Fair in 1928.  However, the chair was not designed by Mies alone…his partner and companion Lilly Reich also had a large part in the design. It is hard to believe this chair was designed over 80 years ago, for its design is not at all antiquated.  Rather, I think it still looks incredibly modern!

{The Barcelona Chair in the recreated German Pavilion}

The chair is said to have been inspired by the folding chairs of pharaohs as well as the x-shaped footstools of the Romans.  While the original design was made in stainless steel with ivory leather, the Barcelona Chair now has many variations and has inspired countless other furniture designs.

Check out some of today’s version of the muy hermosa Barcelona Chair!

{Barcelona Chair from Knoll}

{Shangri La Mondern Furniture}

{Hides and Co.}

{Hides and Co.}

{Modern Furniture Decor}

(Elle Decor}

{Architectural Digest}

{Architectural Digest}

{Architectural Digest}

{Architectural Digest}

Another Mies house- The Farnsworth House.  Right here in Illinois.

{Architectural Digest}

{Architectural Digest}

{Architectural Digest}

{Metropolitan Home}