Mod Focus: Coconut Lounge Chair

This week’s mod focus is on the Coconut Lounge Chair by American writer and designer, George Nelson. This impressive lounge chair was first created in 1955. This playful design was one of the iconic chairs of this era in terms of modernism entering the golden era of modern American furniture.

George Nelson designs like the Coconut Chair and Marshmallow Sofa, combined comfort, function and unique style into everyday home furniture. Not to mention, his designs were inspired by tasty sweets and others treats we know and love.

The Coconut Chair, specifically, aimed to create freedom of movement for loungers with a stand-out style drawing attention to its ostentatious shape.

Although having an overtly distinct shape, the lines remain clean, crisp and minimal. As many of the famous mid-century modern designers of the time, Nelson used high-quality yet easily manufactured materials including fiberglass frames and shells. The original interior seat is curved, padded and upholstered in leather.

Today, you can buy reproductions of the original Coconut Lounge Chair in a variety of colors and fabrics from leather and velvet to tweed and wool.