Decorating
Iconic Designs: Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair
The Danish designer’s iconic Egg chair is a modern masterpiece. Discover its history and be inspired by ways to use it in modern homes
This series takes a look at some of the most famous and cherished designs of the past century. From classic chairs to statement lighting, discover the backstory to some of the design world’s most recognisable pieces and browse ways to use them in modern settings.
Arne Jacobsen is a household name in the design world, as both an architect and a designer. From hotels to furniture to textiles, the Danish designer had a productive and highly successful career and his designs are still celebrated today. Born in 1902 in Copenhagen, he died unexpectedly in 1971 with several projects left unfinished. The Egg, designed in 1958, is one of his most recognisable designs, and it continues to have a prominent place in interiors today.
Arne Jacobsen is a household name in the design world, as both an architect and a designer. From hotels to furniture to textiles, the Danish designer had a productive and highly successful career and his designs are still celebrated today. Born in 1902 in Copenhagen, he died unexpectedly in 1971 with several projects left unfinished. The Egg, designed in 1958, is one of his most recognisable designs, and it continues to have a prominent place in interiors today.
Enjoy its form
The Egg is made from a polyurethane foam shell that is padded with cold foam and upholstered, and stands on a satin polished steel pedestal and aluminium base. Its design is striking and unusual – the curves create a wrapping effect that oozes comfort and style, as if were enveloping you in its smooth lines.
The Egg is made from a polyurethane foam shell that is padded with cold foam and upholstered, and stands on a satin polished steel pedestal and aluminium base. Its design is striking and unusual – the curves create a wrapping effect that oozes comfort and style, as if were enveloping you in its smooth lines.
Celebrate modernism
The modernist movement came to prominence in the early decades of the 20th century. The modern style departed from excess and intricacy, and instead celebrated simple geometry and lightweight forms and materials. Jacobsen was influenced by modernist designers, including Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and simplicity and functionality became characteristics of his designs, exemplified by the Egg chair.
The modernist movement came to prominence in the early decades of the 20th century. The modern style departed from excess and intricacy, and instead celebrated simple geometry and lightweight forms and materials. Jacobsen was influenced by modernist designers, including Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and simplicity and functionality became characteristics of his designs, exemplified by the Egg chair.
Contrast with lines
The Egg’s curves provide a sharp contrast to the straight lines of the windows, furniture and artwork in this living room. Choosing red amid largely plain neutrals ensures it’s the undoubted star of the show.
The Egg’s curves provide a sharp contrast to the straight lines of the windows, furniture and artwork in this living room. Choosing red amid largely plain neutrals ensures it’s the undoubted star of the show.
Be bold in black
In black, the Egg makes a stronger statement. Here, its rounded lines are picked up in the pouffes and sofa, which all help to soften the crisp room. The juxtaposition of black and white mimics the distinction between the old building and modernist furniture.
Get ideas for choosing the perfect armchair
In black, the Egg makes a stronger statement. Here, its rounded lines are picked up in the pouffes and sofa, which all help to soften the crisp room. The juxtaposition of black and white mimics the distinction between the old building and modernist furniture.
Get ideas for choosing the perfect armchair
Keep it classic
Despite being thoroughly modern in aesthetic, when clothed in a rich colour, such as this chocolate leather, the Egg chair fits perfectly into a traditional scheme, lending a designer twist to a conventional room. Its soft curves pick up on the lines of the wing-back armchair and architectural arches.
Despite being thoroughly modern in aesthetic, when clothed in a rich colour, such as this chocolate leather, the Egg chair fits perfectly into a traditional scheme, lending a designer twist to a conventional room. Its soft curves pick up on the lines of the wing-back armchair and architectural arches.
Position it wisely
If you’re going to invest in an Egg chair, it needs to be given a fitting stage in your home. Choose its position carefully to ensure it gets as much exposure as possible. This deep yellow model is almost framed by the hallway, making it visible from both inside and outside the room. The bright colour against the dark, zebrano wall also helps it to stand out.
If you’re going to invest in an Egg chair, it needs to be given a fitting stage in your home. Choose its position carefully to ensure it gets as much exposure as possible. This deep yellow model is almost framed by the hallway, making it visible from both inside and outside the room. The bright colour against the dark, zebrano wall also helps it to stand out.
Settle for subtle
If you would prefer your Egg chair to blend in, choose a neutral colour that fits seamlessly with the rest of the room. This pair ooze subtle style and sophistication.
See 11 ways with Hans J Wegner’s wishbone chair
If you would prefer your Egg chair to blend in, choose a neutral colour that fits seamlessly with the rest of the room. This pair ooze subtle style and sophistication.
See 11 ways with Hans J Wegner’s wishbone chair
Opt for a footstool
Go the whole way and team the Egg chair with its companion footstool to give it even more weight in a room. It will be the perfect place to rest tired feet in true designer fashion.
TELL US…
If you were to buy an Egg chair, which colour would you go for? Tell us in the Comments below. If you own one, we’d love you to attach your photos.
Go the whole way and team the Egg chair with its companion footstool to give it even more weight in a room. It will be the perfect place to rest tired feet in true designer fashion.
TELL US…
If you were to buy an Egg chair, which colour would you go for? Tell us in the Comments below. If you own one, we’d love you to attach your photos.
In 1956, Arne Jacobsen was commissioned by Danish airline SAS to design the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, right down to the last detail, including the furniture and cutlery. Today known as the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, it was at the time the tallest building in the country, and was hailed as the first ‘designer hotel’.
The Egg chair, which Jacobsen designed in 1958, was one of the pieces he created specifically for the hotel. The building was not entirely successful, and today stands stripped of much of its original designs, with only one room preserved. The Egg, however, went on to become one of the most iconic chairs of the 20th century.