Collection by Dora Vanette

How To: Mix and Match Chairs

Combining and contrasting different chairs can add personality, tout a vintage sensibility, or help you stick to a budget. Here we take a look at some Dwell homes that experiment with mix-and-matching seating.

Tom Givone's current weekend abode, nicknamed the Floating Farmhouse, is—so far—his capstone project, a synthesis of personal taste, material experimentation, and historically sensitive restoration: a living laboratory for how to bring the vernacular past into the present.
Tom Givone's current weekend abode, nicknamed the Floating Farmhouse, is—so far—his capstone project, a synthesis of personal taste, material experimentation, and historically sensitive restoration: a living laboratory for how to bring the vernacular past into the present.
Homeowner Susanna prefers a motley set of dining chairs over a coordinated set; that way, guests can pick their favorite when they sit. Photo by: Petra Bindel
Homeowner Susanna prefers a motley set of dining chairs over a coordinated set; that way, guests can pick their favorite when they sit. Photo by: Petra Bindel
With the help of architect Bart Lens, Veerle Wenes and Bob Christiaens merged a 19th-century building with a 1970s one to create a combined home and art gallery in Antwerp. In the dining room downstairs, Wenes entertains family, friends, and gallery visitors. The yellow chair is by Jens Fager.
With the help of architect Bart Lens, Veerle Wenes and Bob Christiaens merged a 19th-century building with a 1970s one to create a combined home and art gallery in Antwerp. In the dining room downstairs, Wenes entertains family, friends, and gallery visitors. The yellow chair is by Jens Fager.
Visitors pass by a sentry wall of lamps from Design House Stockholm on their way to the airy living-dining room with its 52 windows. Photo by Wichmann + Bendtsen
Visitors pass by a sentry wall of lamps from Design House Stockholm on their way to the airy living-dining room with its 52 windows. Photo by Wichmann + Bendtsen
Salon of the Freunde von Freunden X Vitra Apartment

“We wanted to create a showplace for the community, a space to bring people together,” says Frederik Frede, the site’s founder and creative director. “The goal was to make it cozy, without the feeling of a showroom.” The designer pad also boasts an Epson projector and Burmester audio system. 

Photo by Steve Herud
Salon of the Freunde von Freunden X Vitra Apartment “We wanted to create a showplace for the community, a space to bring people together,” says Frederik Frede, the site’s founder and creative director. “The goal was to make it cozy, without the feeling of a showroom.” The designer pad also boasts an Epson projector and Burmester audio system. Photo by Steve Herud
A product shoot that resembles a garden party featuring interesting chairs and accessories. Photo by Pia Ulin.
A product shoot that resembles a garden party featuring interesting chairs and accessories. Photo by Pia Ulin.
Sunlight streams through formerly boarded-up windows in the living area that was once Madame Wong’s stage. “When we took off the drywall, we realized there were windows in there. So we had more made to match these four,” says Dan. The new windows open up the east side of the building to views of the courtyard below and the San Gabriel mountains in the distance. The apartment is furnished with an eclectic mix of furniture, including an Eero Saarinen womb chair.
Sunlight streams through formerly boarded-up windows in the living area that was once Madame Wong’s stage. “When we took off the drywall, we realized there were windows in there. So we had more made to match these four,” says Dan. The new windows open up the east side of the building to views of the courtyard below and the San Gabriel mountains in the distance. The apartment is furnished with an eclectic mix of furniture, including an Eero Saarinen womb chair.