Norman Cherner’s iconic chair represents more than just quality design.
The Cherner Armchair isn’t just a piece of furniture—it’s a sculptural masterpiece that redefined what a chair could be. Designed by Norman Cherner in 1958, this iconic creation combines sleek aesthetics with groundbreaking craftsmanship, pushing the boundaries of molded plywood to new heights. With its flowing, organic form and distinctive, slender frame, the Cherner Armchair quickly became a symbol of Mid Century Modern chair design, blending comfort with striking visual appeal. Its story is one of resilience, ingenuity and a designer’s lifelong fight for equity in the design world.
The inception of the Cherner Armchair was marred by corporate greed—a common pitfall in the cut-throat design industry of the era. Despite being commissioned to create this piece, Cherner was initially edged out of the narrative by Plycraft. He was told that his chair had been rejected, but the furniture company secretly released his designs under a pseudonymous label. The designer’s response—a lawsuit—ended in a moral and financial victory that reinstated his name and royalties associated with his creation. This pivotal moment underscored a broader narrative of recognition and intellectual property rights in design, while highlighting how Cherner’s moral compass shaped his craft.
Cherner was trained in the Bauhaus tradition aiming to unite art and technology, focusing on functionality and affordability without sacrificing style. His teachings at Columbia University and his lectures at the Museum of Modern Art were platforms for these ideas, which also permeated his written works: Make Your Own Modern Furniture (1953), How to Build Children’s Toys and Furniture (1954), Fabricating Houses From Component Parts (1958) and How to Build a House for Less Than $6,000 (1960). Cherner’s commitment to accessibility in design was manifest in his pioneering work on prefabricated housing, an effort to democratize quality design.
After a period of obscurity following its initial discontinuation in the 1970s, the Cherner Armchair was reintroduced to the market by Cherner’s sons, Benjamin and Thomas, in 1999. This resurgence not only revitalized its legacy but also affirmed its status as a classic, enduring beyond the whims of fads.
Today, the Cherner Armchair is more than a fixture in museums or a relic of design history; it stands as a testament to the triumph of innovation and integrity in the mid-century Modernist movement.
For more iconic Mid Century Modern chairs, and the designers behind them, check out The Barcelona Chair and Stool: Elegance and Refinement and The Wassily Chair. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours, and ideas!
