When you think of Adirondack chairs, you likely envision the type with sloped seat and multiple planks making up the back, the type that immediately telescopes rustic New England charm. The original Adirondack chair, though, designed by Thomas Lee and patented by his carpenter friend Harry Bunnell in 1905, is strikingly modern and Brutalist-like. According to the Westport Chamber of Commerce in New York, Lee, who summered in the area, “used a single plank of local hemlock [to design] a comfortable chair with slanted back and wide arm rests to hold drinks and food.” (See our Object Lesson on the Adirondack Chair for its complete origin story.)
Here are a few favorite Westport chairs, priced high to low:
High
Above: A stamped original basswood Westport Chair manufactured by Bunnell is going for $16,000 on 1st Dibs.
Medium
Above: Loll Designs came out with its Westport chairs, made of recycled plastic, a few years ago. The design “stays true to the original,” according to the website, but it does have one clever update: a bottle opener under the right armrest. The chairs come in a multitude of colors; $795. (See Outdoor Furniture Spotlight: Colorful, Recycled Designs from Loll for more about the company.)
Above: The cypress Westport chairs by Jardinique are less expensive than Loll’s chairs. You can choose from three finishes: natural, stained, or painted (in the Sherwin-Williams color of your choosing). Quite a few boutique hotels have the Canadian-based company’s chairs, including Timber Cove Resort (pictured) on the Sonoma Coast in California. For pricing, go here.
Low
Above: For just $150, Talic‘s Westport chair can be yours. It’s made of untreated Baltic birch and needs to be assembled (and sealed if you want to use it outdoors).
