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This chair style is all over social media—here's how to get one

Samantha Mangino, Reviewed
·5 min read
The Cesca chair is a century old and all over social media–here’s how to get one.
The Cesca chair is a century old and all over social media–here’s how to get one.

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By name you may not recognize the Cesca chair, but you’ve definitely seen this timeless, cantilevered design before. Made of a tubular steel frame and cane rattan seat and backing, these chairs have been in homes for years.

The Cesca chair was designed by Marcel Breuer in the late 1920s and is named for his daughter Francesca. His design has garnered such fame that one of the original chairs sits in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The original design is now owned by the Knoll Group; however, the D-shaped design made of clashing materials has inspired imitators across the furniture industry.

Recently, you may have seen Cesca chairs grace your social media feeds in the homes of influencers and your most stylish friends. While they’ve never gone out of style, they’re getting their time in the spotlight thanks to the rise of nostalgic aesthetics such as art deco and 1970s vintage style. It’s no surprise that such a classic, vintage-style chair is having a renaissance, as it can be showcased and fit in any style choices.

Because Cesca chairs are created using mixed materials, they can seamlessly blend into many design aesthetics. Their storied history in interior design makes them a lovely fit for any person who loves vintage, but they can also fit into a contemporary, clean-lined scheme, as well.

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For those who have an original Cesca chair as a family heirloom, lucky you! For the rest of us, it’s easy enough to buy one of many different renditions online.

From the original chair still in production to Cesca-inspired designs, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite chairs to bring into your home.

1. The Original Cesca chair

Knoll’s Cesca chairs are the original Breuer design and come at premium quality and a luxury price tag.
Knoll’s Cesca chairs are the original Breuer design and come at premium quality and a luxury price tag.

Despite coming into existence a century ago, the original design of the Cesca chair is still being manufactured. In 1968, the Knoll Group acquired the chair and nearly 50 years later is still selling them.

Because the design of Knoll’s Cesca chairs are the original Breuer design, these chairs are premium quality and come with a luxury price tag. It is a functional piece of art that you’ll want to keep center stage.

Get the Cesca Chair at Knoll for $968

2. The Original (with a twist)

For those who want this chair for working at a desk, a version with arms will help with ergonomics.
For those who want this chair for working at a desk, a version with arms will help with ergonomics.

For those who want this chair for working at a desk, a version with arms will help with ergonomics. Around a dinner table, these are a fantastic chair to gather in so you and your guests have the added comfort of an arm to lean on. With the extension of wood, these can increase the warmth the chair gives with its natural elements.

Get the Cesca Chair with Arms at Knoll for $1,007

3. Cesca goes colorful

Take a journey around the color wheel, for those who prefer the comfort of a cushioned upholstery.
Take a journey around the color wheel, for those who prefer the comfort of a cushioned upholstery.

The classic Cesca has graduated beyond neutrals. Take a journey around the color wheel, for those who prefer the comfort of a cushioned upholstery. The steel frame remains in the design, while offering every color of the rainbow for upholstery choice. It’s a mod feel that is perfect for someone who loves rich pops of color.

Get the Cesca Chair with Upholstered Seat and Back at Knoll for $605

4. A dupe at half the price

With the same frame and rattan seat and backing, this chair looks just like Breuer’s original.
With the same frame and rattan seat and backing, this chair looks just like Breuer’s original.

With the same frame and rattan seat and backing, this chair looks just like Breuer’s original, but it is tagged with a price that’s half as steep. Included in the chair’s frame are floor protectors that keep this chair gliding over your floors rather than scratching them.

Get the Italian-made Cesca Side Chair at France & Sons for $499

5. Arms, warmth, and a nice eye-flow

This design features a warmer wood color with thicker trimmings than the original this chair has a rustic feel.
This design features a warmer wood color with thicker trimmings than the original this chair has a rustic feel.

This design features a warmer wood color with thicker trimmings than the original, while still offering the classic clashing steel and cane style.

Get the Marcel Armchair at Industry West for $425

6. A chrome and black take for less

This rendition sticks to the Breuer’s classic design, using black trim and chrome to accomplish it.
This rendition sticks to the Breuer’s classic design, using black trim and chrome to accomplish it.

If you’re not ready to put down $1,000 on a chair, we get it. Thanks to Overstock, you can still capture the same design for a third of the price. This rendition sticks to the Breuer’s classic design, using black trim and chrome to accomplish it. The black adds a contrasting color that is fantastic for those who like a starker, more industrial design.

Get the Breuer Chair in Chrome and Black at Overstock for $265.49

7. A square take on the classic

This chair is a square shaped take on the classic chair with a more affordable price tag.
This chair is a square shaped take on the classic chair with a more affordable price tag.

With a more angular shape to the chair design’s back and seat, this version of the Cesca chair takes a slight departure from the original. Not to mention, it’s a steal at this price.

Get the Bendt Dining Chair at Scandinavian Designs for $149

8. Tall and made for your home bar

These bar stools capture the essence of Breuer’s classic.
These bar stools capture the essence of Breuer’s classic.

With the same D-shaped design, these chairs bring the classic to new heights at 30 inches tall, great for the shopper looking to bring Cescas to their counter seating. And, while these bar stools capture the essence of Breuer’s classic, they take a bold step with a black, powder-coated finish and black bouclé seat upholstery.

Get the AllModern Chelston Bar Stool, set of 2, at Wayfair for $380

9. Industrial style in a classic shape

Departing from cane and rattan, this Cesca-style chair embraces a different texture with smooth leather.
Departing from cane and rattan, this Cesca-style chair embraces a different texture with smooth leather.

Departing from cane and rattan, this Cesca-style chair embraces a different texture with smooth leather. The deep tan color keeps things natural, but a darker steel shades the features. While the classic Cesca provides an airy design element, these inspired designs are great for those who prefer dark tones in their homes. Styled on top of an oriental rug and surrounded by dark woods, this will provide a cozy space to welcome people into your home and around the dinner table.

Get the Industrial Cantilever Leather Dining Chair at West Elm for $159

10. A classic made for the office

Embracing gray tones, this Breuer-style chair comes in tweed upholstery that can provide flexible seating.
Embracing gray tones, this Breuer-style chair comes in tweed upholstery that can provide flexible seating.

Embracing gray tones, this Breuer-style chair comes in tweed upholstery that can provide flexible seating. For a more professional look, this can go in a home office. It also provides more ergonomic seating as the seat and back of the chair are connected to provide lower back support.

Get the Pony Tweed Chair At CB2 for $119

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

This article originally appeared on Reviewed: The Cesca chair is all the rage—here’s where you can order one online