This metal chair is in every cafe, bistro, and restaurant

This is Noticed, The Goods' column on the latest design trends. That familiar sight you've been noticing everywhere? Let's dive into it.

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What It Is

The chair, often crafted from metal, comes in various colors like vibrant yellow, red, or pastel turquoise. Sometimes, it's left in its natural silver state. Its defining characteristics are its robust, curved legs and distinctive indented back.

Where You Can Find It

You'll spot this chair in numerous places across the country—airy coffee shops, cozy wine bars, local Pret a Manger outlets, and upscale Italian restaurants. It's also available for home purchase at stores like Bob's Discount Furniture and Urban Outfitters. Primarily, though, this chair and its matching stool dominate public dining areas including cafes, bistros, and restaurants.

Why It's So Popular

Although it seems to be having a moment now, the chair isn't new. The current designs are based on Xavier Pauchard's Tolix "A Chair," introduced in 1934. The company, revived from bankruptcy in 2004, continues to sell this stackable design.

The Vitra Design Museum in Germany reveals that Pauchard's galvanized steel chair builds on Joseph Mathieu's earlier "Multipl's" chair from the early 1920s. According to design historian Charlotte Fiell, similar chairs from that era exist, making it difficult to identify the original designer due to lax design rights back then.

Despite the ambiguity, the Tolix chair has emerged as the iconic iteration, distinguished by its industrial and solid appearance, which Fiell considers a more refined design compared to Mathieu's.

The chair's presence in today's eateries mirrors its historical use. For decades, this style has graced bistros and public spaces.

"The metal chair was weatherproof, durable, and easy to store in small spaces. This made it perfect for various settings, including factories, auditoriums, sidewalk cafes, and parks in French spa towns," according to the Vitra collection's description of Mathieu's chair.

Modern-day Appeal

Contemporary restaurant owners who opt for Tolix-style chairs often cite their practicality.

"They're simple, stackable, and lightweight," says Adrian Bruyère, co-owner of La Parisienne in Manhattan. "Maintaining and cleaning them is a breeze."

"We chose them because they're stylish, inexpensive, and easy to clean," says Jordan Sachs, a partner at V-Spot, a vegan restaurant in New York. "Plus, they don't attract bugs like wooden furniture might."

Although a Tolix chair from Design Within Reach costs around $300, budget-friendly options are available. Bob's Discount Furniture has sold them for as low as $20. Bruyère got his chairs for $99 per set of four on Amazon, while Sachs spent between $80 and $100 per chair.

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A Timeless Design

The chair hasn't fallen out of fashion since its inception, but its popularity has surged in alignment with broader design trends. The 1970s saw an "industrial heritage revival," which renewed interest in the Tolix chair.

"Every trendy cafe had one," notes Fiell, anchoring its status as an iconic design piece.

Fast forward to 2019, the post-recession hipster industrial aesthetic—exposed brick, raw wood—has resurrected another Tolix moment. The chair fits various styles: Sachs highlights its "Brooklyn industrial appeal," while Bruyère, from northwest France, appreciates its French bistro vibe. The El Cosmico hotel in Marfa, Texas, and Jo's Coffee in Austin chose Tolix chairs from Design Within Reach for their "perfect fusion of West Texas and classic European metalwork."

"El Cosmico and Jo's share a West Texas ranch aesthetic, using local materials like cedar, steel, and aluminum," explains a Bunkhouse Group representative.

In restaurant reporting, the Eater team has likened the chair to the "chair version of the Edison bulb trend" and often associates it with gentrification.

Market Response

Brands have capitalized on the Tolix trend. Superior Seating offers a version for $53.95, popular in the hospitality industry. "Very, very popular," says Jane Petrillo, Superior Seating’s director of sales. Although the company offers custom colors, it mainly sells classic bronze and distressed gray due to warehouse space limitations.

Bob's Discount Furniture introduced a Tolix-style chair in 2017. Although it's no longer available online, it's still sold in stores. Vice President of Merchandising Tracy Paccione notes its retro-modern edge aligns well with current trends, even if it hasn't revolutionized their accent chair category.

Despite its widespread use, the chair isn't without flaws. Some describe it as "ugly" or "not the prettiest." Fiell mentions that cold metal isn't very inviting or comfortable. The smaller seat size isn't ideal for everyone, indicating an unintentional message of exclusivity in its design.

The Future

Petrillo predicts the chair will remain popular for another five years unless the industrial trend fades. However, history suggests that even if its popularity wanes, the chair won't disappear entirely.

"Even in its less popular times, it was always there in the background," Fiell says.

These chairs are stunning and sturdy, though they didn't match our decor as the wood stain was too dark and the black paint was too glossy. They would complement settings with more dark furniture. They are well-built, comfortable, and easy to assemble. The packing was excellent, ensuring the chairs arrived in perfect condition. Being metal, they are durable and can be repainted or used outdoors if you get tired of the look. The online pictures are accurate. Hope this helps.

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