Tthe Panton Chair, also known as the S-chair, has been around since the 1960’s. It is a creation of the Danish multi-talent Vernon Panton. Panton is considered to be one of Denmark’s influential 20th Century furniture and interior designers. He worked mostly with plastics in bright and exotic colors.

Born in Odense, Denmark in 1926, Panton studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Art and graduated in 1951. He started his professional career at the architectural practice of Arne Jacobsen, that other Danish design icon (of which you can read more here). After two years Panton started out on his own. He became well known for his unconventional and innovative ideas for a collapsible house and even a plastic house. Since the early 1970’s Panton created the most incredible spaces which, as you look at them, make you feel as if you are on LSD. Psychedelic space caves with carved out seats, floor to ceiling, from soft foam in all sorts of bright colors. Supercool for a nightclub but not for my own home (although my two teenage boys would not agree I guess).

But his most well known creation is the Panton Chair which took 4 years of development and was presented in 1967. The first of its kind: a single-form injection-moulded plastic chair. Based on the shape of the human body and  easily stackable, this chair is both ergonomically friendly and practical. An instant sensation, the Panton Chair earned multiple design awards and has been exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art (New York) ever since. Moreover, the elegant beauty of this design resulted in world-wide mass production up till today by the well-known design manufacturing company Vitra. As you can see from my own selection, I prefer the Panton’s in black and white. What about you?

Panton Chair

A black Pantone chair in this otherwise classic library – via Home Adore

Panton Chair

A white Pantone, combined with the Ghost chairs designed by Philippe Starck – via My Scandinavian Home

Panton Chair

Another black Pantone in this romatic setting – via Jill Short

Panton Chair

Another white Pantone chair, I spy another Design Icon too – the AJ Poulsen desklamp – via Est Magazine

Panton Chair

Pantone dining chairs, excellent contrast between Mid-Century modern andModern Rustic – via Cote Maison

Panton Chair

via Coco Lapine

Panton Chair

Wonderful white Pantone’s in this clean, neutral interior – via The Style Files

Verner Panton (love the beard)

Verner Panton (love the beard)

SHOP THE POST widernostripes

THE ORIGINAL PANTON CHAIR…

…AND THE COPY

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Remodeling and Home Design

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