A Striking Cord!

From where I sit as I write this entry, I have a clear view of two chairs in my living room. One is a comfy, curl-up-in-a-ball-and-read chair and the other is a work in progress: I bought it at an antique dealer for $20 and vowed to get it fully restored (which, after five years, I have yet to do). While I've grown to love its unkept look, I often fantasize that it's my dream chair — an Eames, or perhaps a Corbusier, both of which are way out of my budget. But thanks to the über stylish Toronto furniture store Avenue Road (avenue-road.com), I have a new dream chair to add to the list — the Canadian classic Cord Chair by Jacques Guillon.


Cord Chair in Walnut by Jacques Guillon


Ok, I admit it, I probably can't afford this one either; however, I try to aspire to great things in life, and this chair is now one of those things. I love it for a few reasons: It looks as if it's light as air, yet the design quality — the balance, use of materials and fluid lines — give it substance. It's also very comfortable. Unlike purely wooden chairs, the Cord Chair distributes your weight evenly and forms to your body. But perhaps best of all, it is one of the best examples of 20th Century Canadian design.

Jacques Guillon may not be a household name, but chances are you're familiar with his work. Besides making a notable impact on the Canadian furniture, industrial and interior design worlds, Guillon created the signage for the Montreal Métro:


Montreal Métro Sign by Jacques Guillon


Guillon designed the Cord Chair in 1953 and introduced it at the Milan Triennale in 1954. Production stopped about 40 years ago, but thanks to the wonderful Avenue Road, it has been lovingly reissued. And as with all exceptional modern design, the chair looks like it could have been conceived this year, and would look equally beautiful in either traditional or modern homes and offices. Timeless indeed!


Cord Chair in Black Lacquer by Jacques Guillon