A Complete Guide to the Womb Chair

Who designed the Womb Chair?

The Womb Chair was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948. With a world-famous architect father and a textile artist mother, Saarinen was born to design. Following time spent studying sculpture in Paris and architecture at Yale, Saarinen met Charles Eames and Florence Knoll, the latter of whom brought him on to design for Knoll in the 1940’s. What followed were some of the most iconic pieces of mid-century modern furniture, including the Tulip Chair, the Saarinen Dining Table, and, of course, the Womb Chair.

Why is it called the Womb Chair?

The name “Womb Chair” has been a part of the design since its inception. In 1946, Florence Knoll requested, “a chair that was like a basket full of pillows, something I could really curl up in.” This led Eero Saarinen to consider what it meant for human beings to truly relax, concluding, “a great number of people have never really felt comfortable and secure since they left the womb. The chair is an attempt to rectify this maladjustment in our civilization."

How do you sit in a Womb Chair?

The short answer: however you want. The Womb Chair was developed as a direct response to the lounge chairs of the 1940’s, which were meant to support an upright sitter with their ankles crossed and their hands folded. Florence Knoll reportedly told Eero Saarinen that [she] “was sick and tired of the one-dimensional lounge chair . . . long and narrow. I want a chair I can sit sideways in or any other way I want.” With that in mind, Saarinen designed the Womb Chair to be supportive to the individual sitter, no matter their posture or position. This means you can sit upright with your arms on the armrests or angle yourself so your legs are draped over the side. The Womb Chair was built to be the ultimate expression of playful style and serious comfort.

Womb Collection Materials

Frame
The Womb Chair, Settee, and Ottoman all have a steel rod frame as their base, with a choice of available finishes:

● Powder-Coated Black

● Gold-Plated

● Polished Chrome

Shell and Upholstery
Each piece from the Womb Collection has a reinforced fiberglass shell with a plywood platform and polyester fiber padding with a foam core. For upholstery, a wide variety of fabric, suede, and leather options are available in 100+ colors:

● Acqua Leather, a premium Spinneybeck leather that’s dyed through for saturated color. Water resistant and extremely durable.

● Aegean, a solid upholstery in rich variegated colors. A blend of breathable cotton and rayon yarns, wrinkle-resistant acrylic yarns, and strong yet flexible polyester fibers.

● Cato, an iconic textile with an exaggerated texture meant to evoke handweaving.

● Classic Boucle, a soft and nubby weave that blends naturally stain-resistant wool with other threads, including breathable and comfortable cotton.

● Hourglass, an affordable blend of recycled polyester and nylon with a soft, wool-like hand.

● Knoll Velvet, 100% high-pile mohair on a durable cotton ground. A luxuriously soft hand and matte finish.

● Tempest, a textured, multicolor fabric that provides a unique kaleidoscope effect.

● Ultrasuede, a luxe microfiber Knoll fabric that looks and feels like suede but is actually a weave of polyester and polyurethane. Stain- and wrinkle-resistant and easy to clean.

● Volo Leather, a premium Spinneybeck leather featured on many iconic mid-century modern pieces. Breathable yet heavy with saturated color and a superior hand.

● Diva, the ultimate in low maintenance. Richly textured but with a stain-resistant finish that prevents soil penetration.

● Crossroad, a polyester/recycled polyester weave with a stain-repellent finish that has a rich wool look.

● Rebel, a cotton blend created from black yarn, white novelty slub yarn, and color woven in both warp and weft directions. A soft hand with high durability.

● Wow Factor, durable and flexible two-way stretch fabric with a soft hand and saturated color.

● Puff, a collaboration between Knoll and Nick Cave based on one of his Soundsuits. A soft and cozy plush faux shearling.

● Prestini, a bleach-cleanable reformulation of the 1947 fabric by Toni Prestini. Durable polyester novelty yarns interwoven with white for rich colors and a subtle texture.

How can you tell if a Womb Chair is real?

Distinguishing an original Womb Chair from a replica is essential for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Here are some tips for identifying an authentic Womb Chair:

● Manufacturer's Mark: Look for the Knoll logo and Eero Saarinen's signature on the chair's frame. These marks are key indicators of authenticity in newer Womb Chairs.

● Quality of Materials: The Womb Chair is crafted using high-quality materials, including a steel frame and premium fabric, suede, or leather upholstery. Check for durability and the overall feel of the materials.

● Design Specifications: The genuine Womb Chair features precise dimensions and proportions that have remained consistent since its design. Comparing these details with official specifications can help verify authenticity.

Celebrating Timeless Design

The excitement about the Womb Chair isn’t merely due to its innovative design or the name it carries; It embodies a blend of comfort, architectural innovation, and timeless style. For design history enthusiasts and modern art admirers, owning a Knoll Womb Chair is synonymous with owning a piece of history, an acknowledgment of Saarinen’s enduring legacy in the world of design.