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Reviewer: Collier Sutter, contributing writer
Model tested: Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
The details: Arne Jacobsen designed “the Egg” in 1958, as part of a commission for the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) Royal Copenhagen Hotel in Denmark. The Danish architect meticulously designed everything to be included in the space, from the doorknobs and silver cutlery in the restaurant to the lobby, which was peppered with Egg chairs. More than 60 years later, the Egg is produced in Poland by the original manufacturer, Fritz Hansen, and their team of skilled craftspeople. To this day, you can still find an original Egg in its custom seafoam upholstery on display at the SAS Royal, where a guest room of Arne’s exacting design–room 606–remains in pristine condition. There’s no doubt this chair is a classic—and there’s a reason this modern take on the traditional wing chair has cropped up just about everywhere in Scandinavian design and beyond.
Sit test: Is it comfortable?
When initially unboxing this piece, I was pretty worried it might be uncomfortable to sit on for more than a Netflix episode, despite its killer visual presence. But after spending that first afternoon with it—just my Egg chair and me—I felt nothing but sturdy support to back me up while lounging for hours. I definitely won’t be taking any lengthy naps in this chair, but each time I retreat to my living room, the winged lounge chair is still shockingly inviting to nestle into with a cup of tea in hand or to curl up into with a good book.
To put its comfort level into context, Arne built this chair originally for a commercial hotel lobby—and that translates while at home with it. While I would personally opt for something more cushy to collapse into after a long day, the chair offers great support, and its firmness could be just what you’re looking for.
Is it durable and practical in a modern home?
The cleverly constructed chair feels really durable, thanks to improvements made to the manufacturing process over time–originally, the chair weighed about 17 pounds but was updated to include a tilt mechanism and several subtle features that added substance. Now, it comes in closer to 42 pounds. It has an inner shell made of polyurethane foam, which is then padded with more foam and an outer layer of fabric. The cradling seat is connected to an aluminum star swivel base that doesn’t wobble as you swivel 360 degrees around or tilt back by 45 degrees for its reclining feature. My chair came upholstered in its most durable fabric option, a textured flamiber upholstery (a wool, cotton, and acrylic blend), which has the ability to be spot-cleaned.
However, I wouldn’t go as far as to welcome pets and kids up on the Egg on the regular. There was a stain on the armrest that was difficult to nix, though eventually I was able to remove it after several passes. Muddy paws? Good luck! All in all though, the chair feels durable at its core. After a few (read: many) nights watching The Sopranos episodes in this chair, its shape has held up well, without sagging or becoming unshapely. And it’s worth stating that an eye-catching accent chair isn’t necessarily designed for family-friendly kicking back.
Do the photos do this product justice? Was there anything you were surprised to see IRL?
Yes, the photos certainly do it justice! If you like to be surrounded by beautiful objects, the Egg chair certainly checks that box. Up close and personal with it, I noticed the immaculate stitching of its upholstery. In no part of the chair is the fabric around the foam shell loose, gathered, or puckered in any way (if your Egg chair looks like that, you might want to check its lineage). Admiring it, it was no surprise that this chair resonated after the debut of the SAS Royal, and that it’s been a go-to accent chair for decorators for decades.
How much does it cost? Are there payment plans available?
The dream chair starts at $8,660 at Design Within Reach. Payment plans are available through Affirm with options including $320 per month for 36 months, and up. Each chair also comes with a five-year warranty.
Where can you shop it?
If you’re looking to shop online, Design Within Reach is the way to go. The chairs can also be found at select retailers in North America including Fritz Hansen, Danish Design Store, and more. If you’re more of a vintage hound, the Egg can be spotted in its original sultry vintage upholstery on 1stdibs—though don’t expect to find a price tag under several thousand dollars.
What are the upholstery options?
The Egg is customizable at Design Within Reach with a variety of fabric colors available from chartreuse to charcoal, as well as leather upholstery—the options are a blessing to anyone who has a vision in mind for how their dream Egg chair should look. The brand has released anniversary editions with gold detailing and we’ve seen iterations from cowhide to leopard print velvet in the pages of AD.
What is the lead time for delivery?
Currently, it has a six to eight week lead time for delivery, depending on customization options.
Is this chair suitable for particular decor styles and if so, which?
Reporting weeks later from the empty corner where the Egg once resided in my home as I was reviewing it, it is safe to say I still think about the sleek seat. It’s no shock that the sculptural chair called Ægget, or as we know it, the Egg, has had continuous popularity in contemporary spaces. The chair has futuristic vibes at its core—if you’ve ever wanted to transform your living space into the space age style of The Jetsons, the Egg will fit right in. That said, the midcentury icon is also deeply sophisticated. The Egg has got poise, from its soft, organic lines that are easy on the eye to its oversized wingspan. The chair quickly proved its style adaptability in my Memphis-style apartment in Brooklyn—it was a grounding force in my room, which is clad in wacky primary colors. We’ve seen it featured in sleek Manhattan penthouses, stately Boston townhomes, and California farmhouses, all with ease.
For small spaces, I would note that the Egg takes up space and needs plenty of room. For smaller homes and apartments, prioritize designing around the Egg chair, instead of squeezing it into a corner; it could feel overpowering in size otherwise. While significantly pricier than your average armchair, owning a piece of design history feels worthy of an investment, if you’re able to swing (or swivel) it. Having full ability to customize this dream chair is the ultimate point of persuasion, especially when you consider it’s likely to become a family heirloom.
See the Egg chair in action on AD
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