Exceptional for both its functionality and broad appeal, the Butterfly chair has been coming out of the cocoon lately. This floor-skimming seat features a lightweight frame, endlessly customizable hammock seat, and universal comfort. Curious to learn more about this bold and foldable seat? Read on to learn more about its origins and ways to style it in the 21st century.
History Of The Butterfly Chair
The original Butterfly chair was designed by three Buenos Aires-based architects, Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan, and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy. The architects manipulated the frame into hairpin angles until a shape reminiscent of a butterfly’s wings emerged.
Familiar, modern, low-commitment, portable, adaptable for indoor and outdoor use, the Butterfly chair celebrates comfort and accessibility, offering an innovative counter to history’s more stiff-backed seats. For many connoisseurs, the Butterfly chair is a prelude to embracing full-fledged Modernism.
A beautiful and welcoming outdoor space with a brown daybed with pillows, a low coffee table, black butterfly chairs.
A beautiful leather printed butterfly chair paired up with a shabby chic dresser looks lovely and creates a cozy feel in the space.
A black leather butterfly chair, a tan pillow, a ladder-style bookshelf and a printed rug for a mid-century modern space.
A boho nook with amber leather butterfly chairs, an IKEA cart, a lamp, potted plants, a cowhide rug and a pouf.
A bold and catchy space with a brown leather butterfly chair, a green chunky blanket, a black display unit and a side table with greenery.
A bold boho space with a dresser with mismatching drawers, a bright boho print butterfly chair, a rug and pillows and a macrame hanging.
A brown leather butterfly chair is a cool mid-century modern addition to any space, it looks elegant and chic.
A brown leather butterfly chair styled with a black and white blanket, with some decor around for an wakward nook.
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A chic mid-century modern living room with a dark green accent wall, an amber leather sofa and a butterfly chair, a coffee table and a gallery wall.
A contrasting nook with a hearth, a black leather butterfly chair, a leather basket with wood, vases and a catchy floor lamp.
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A cozy nook with a brown leather butterfly chair, a matching striped pouf, a gallery wall and a grey pillow.
A cozy reading nook with a brown butterfly chair, faux fur, a potted plant, a black wall sconce is amazing.
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A faux fur butterfly chair is a gorgeous idea for a fall or winter space, it will make you feel cozy and comfy.
What To Do With A Vintage Butterfly Chair?
Since original Butterfly chair frames were originally made of impervious steel, it’s not uncommon to thrift a vintage frame today, even if the original seat cover has long since seen its last siesta. In cases where the original seating cover has gone missing, it’s recommended to have a custom cover commissioned. Since covers and frames have varied wildly over the last 75 years, finding a vintage match is near impossible.
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A little outdoor sitting nook with a small side table, yellow butterfly chairs and greenery around is awesome.
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A mid-century modern living room with a grey sectional, a brown leather butterfly chair, a leather pouf and printed pillows.
A mid-century modern living room with built-in shelves, black butterfly chairs, brown leather stools, a built-in fireplace.
A mid-century modern nook with a brown leather butterfly and a footrest, potted plants, a printed rug and some brass touches.
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A modern meets boho living room with black chairs, a brown leather butterfly one, a pallet coffee table and a printed rug.
A modern nook with bookshelves and a large shelving unit, a brown leather butterfly chair, potted plants and a black lamp.
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A Nordic living room with a grey sofa and printed pillows, a brown leather butterfly chair, a printed rug, potted greenery.
A Scandinavian dining room with a black bookcase, a black desk and chairs, a black butterfly chair and some lamps plus a printed rug.
A Scandinavian living room with a large sofa, a black leather butterfly chair, a black coffee table, a black sconce.
A Scandinavian living room with an IKEA TV unit, a gallery wall, a brown leather butterfly chair, a blue rug and coffee tables.
What Covers For A Butterfly Chair Can I Find?
While buttery leather covers are the Butterfly chair’s most authentic skin, hides are also a popular style that offer that same blend of luxury, durability, and Argentinean allure. Along with the production of more affordable Butterfly chair versions came the advent of canvas and fabric covers—smart options if the chair is intended for outdoor use, especially if the fabric is performance grade. By having the fabric suspended from its “wings,” the covers are more akin to a hammock, conforming to the body and moving with you as you relax into a state of repose.
How To Style A Butterfly Chair?
A Butterfly chair cover is usually made of beautiful genuine leather, and it’s easy to style: with pillows, blankets and perhaps a floor lamp next to it. To play with texture, go for a chunky knit blanket or even prefer a faux fur chair cover for ultimate coziness. The Butterfly chair manages to blend in and partner fluently with a variety of decorating styles. Often showcased in a sitting room as a pair, a well-made Butterfly chair can also stand on its own.
A Scandinavian nook with a brown leather butterfly chair, a blanket and a pillow, a basket with more pillows and a black floor lamp.
A Scandinavian nook with a brown leather butterfly chair, a neutral rug and a pillow, a floor lamp and a trellis with greenery.
A Scandinavian space with a black leather butterfly chair, a side table with a cool lamp, a mini gallery wall and a glass with candles.
A Scandinavian space with a brown leather butterfly chair, a hairpin leg table, a shelving unit, a map in a frame and a rug.
A small and cozy sitting nook with a brown leather butterfly chair, a side table with decor and an artwork is chic.
A small fireplace nook with a brown leather butterfly chair, a black side table, a basket and a bucket with wood, a gallery wall.
A small tropical patio with lots of potted plants, a white and wicker butterfly chair and all white walls around.
A stylish modern nook with a glass wall and a ladder with potted plants, a brown leather butterfly chair, a bold rug.
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A stylish sitting nook with a side table, brown leather butterfly chairs, a round rug and a black pendant lamp.
A tan leather butterfly chair by the window becomes a space divider and add texture and interest to the space.
A vintage-inspired space with a faux fireplace, a large mirror in an ornated frame, a hearth, an amber leather butterfly chair.
An airy living room with stacks of books on the floor, a coffee table on casters, an amber leather chair and a neutral blanket.
An airy nook with a white faux fur butterfly chair and a footrest, a bold yellow blanket and a yellow pendant lamp.
An eclectic sunroom with a glazed wall, a white sofa with printed chairs, white butterfly chairs, a small side table and a coffee table plus a striped rug.
An outdoor fire pit space with a metal fire bowl, black leather butterfly chairs and tree stumps plus greenery around.