There’s a little nook in the living room of my New York apartment that’s big enough for a small round dining table, and it’s so nice to have somewhere to sit to eat that isn’t my sofa. In the fall I worked with an upholsterer to create a beautiful custom dining bench that is the star of this little nook in my home. However, I also wanted to buy extra seating, so things wouldn’t be too cramped when I have guests over – usually just one person – for dinner or drinks.
The solution? One black bistro style chair I found on Amazon. Designed to look like a vintage Viennese coffee chair, it doesn’t have the high price tag associated with an authentic designer piece. The originals cost about $500, but this version only cost me $130. For the price, you don’t sacrifice quality either, as it is 100% solid elm wood and is quite strong.
Aside from the price, I chose this chair because I wanted something relatively compact (I’m limited on space), and I was drawn to its simple design with an elegantly curved back and vintage look. I knew it wouldn’t beat the House of Hackney fabric I had spent on my dining bench, especially if I bought black. I find that the dark finish really goes with everything and doesn’t rely on any aesthetics. It could work equally well in an old-world inspired space, or in a more modern boho home. However, if you don’t like this color, you can choose one of the other two options, two natural-looking colors (note: only walnut is currently in stock).
The piece is comfortable to sit on and has held up quite well over the past few months – it’s really made the household a lot easier. And when I have large gatherings in the living room next to the sofa, the chair is also usable. At only 8 pounds, it’s easy to pick up and move around your space as needed, which is a huge plus.
Living in an apartment can be challenging. So many pieces that look nice and stylish are actually quite large in scale and would stick out like a sore thumb in a small space (or worse, wouldn’t fit through the door at all!). A chair like this is a safe bet for a small room, but it would shine in multiples and in a larger space if you want to furnish an entire dining or breakfast table. That makes this design a true winner in my book.