The Old-School IKEA Chair From The '70s We'd Love To See Return

When you think of modern IKEA furniture, the images that come to mind are likely white or light brown wood pieces that come with a set of assembly instructions. But, believe it or not, there was actually a time when IKEA produced chairs and other furniture such as side tables and shelving out of more varied materials. A great example of this is the AMIRAL armchair. Designed by Karin Mobring, IKEA's first female designer, this stunning leather and metal chair was released in 1969 and became an instant hit with consumers. According to the IKEA Museum, the chair featured "chrome-plated steel tubing" and "high-end saddle leather" from a Swedish saddlery which specialized in horse riding equipment. The chair's sleek, mid-century design sold so well that the saddlery had difficulty keeping up with demands.

Why, then, did they stop making it? You may notice when examining the chair that it doesn't look like IKEA's other flat pack items, and that's because it isn't. One reason IKEA makes you assemble your furniture is that it lessens production and delivery costs, so the fact that this chair couldn't be packed in a thin box and assembled at home meant that its shipping costs were higher than other pieces the company sold. They tried cutting the costs of the chair by replacing the seat and back with fabric, keeping only the armrest details in the original leather. But, although this new version could be packed flat for delivery, the chair was eventually discontinued.

Mid-century designs feature sleek lines, natural materials such as teak and leather, and handcrafted details like stitching. This gives the style a timeless feel and is perfectly suited to the modern popularity of natural materials in interior design and an emphasis on handmade products. Many designers, as a result, agree that mid-century modern design will never go out of style. So how could you go about styling a chair like the AMIRAL in a modern-day setting?

This old-school IKEA chair would be a great focal point for a mid-century modern home as it includes the natural materials and clean, simple lines which are favored in this style. If you are lucky enough to find one of these retro chairs secondhand, or if IKEA decides to bring it back, you may want to try styling it with a large area rug. Large rugs with little to no pattern and neutral colors allow unique furniture pieces like the AMIRAL to take center stage and emphasize the mid-century feel of a space. You could also accessorize with broad-leaf plants and abstract art, both of which can help to enhance the feeling of simplicity and nature. Be careful not to add too many knickknacks or smaller items, however, as clutter can interrupt the simplified shapes of this design trend and make it feel discordant.