The Papa Bear Chair: a playful design inspired by Hans Wegner

Posted on 20th January 2015 by Mark

While most of Hans J. Wegner's 500 chair designs were inspired by history, this wasn't always the case. The Flag Halyard Chair, which is now available from Iconic Interiors, was the result of a family trip to the beach - while one of our newest chairs - the Papa Bear Chair - takes its inspiration from the humble teddy bear.

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For most, the teddy bear will be associated with comfort; of having something to cuddle when we were children. With the Papa Bear Chair, it's the chair that's doing the comforting; with its oversized nature, foam seat cushion and the arms and back stuffed with natural fibres for extra padding, it's a chair that is designed to envelop you completely to make you feel luxuriously cosy. That's not all; Papa Bear also features big bear arms that embrace you when you sit: the upholstery providing a stark contrast from the solid wood "paws" at the end of each arm.

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While much of the era's modernist furniture was designed in a style that was bold and stark, a number of Wegner's designs demonstrated that modernism and a sense of cosy relaxation could sit side by side in the same piece. There's no denying that this 1950s design was ahead of its time (Wegner was one of the driving forces in the Danish Modern movement that took place in the 1950s and 1960s), but Wegner proved that comfort and style could work in harmony together.

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With its seat angled in order to recline, its high back and luxurious padding, the Papa Bear Chair is built for comfort. However, it's clear in the detailing that it was also designed for style; everything from the solid wood legs to the button tufted chair back comes together to create an armchair that is beautiful from every angle.

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The Papa Bear chair is available in many finishes. If you have a leather or fabric in mind please contact us. We have a fantastic relationship with leather and fabric suppliers and we are confident we can find a finish you'll be thrilled with.