The Milo Baughman Recliner 74 is another alluring piece of furniture designed by Milo Baughman, one of the most successful and well-known figures of 20th-century American furniture design, whose innovative work has been described as “elegant and fresh” by the New York Times. and “strong and demanding”.
Story
The chair was designed by Milo Baughman for James Inc., a furniture company founded by Thayer Coggin. The collaboration between the two men dates back to 1953, when Baughman traveled to High Point, North Carolina, known as the national center of furniture making, to draw makers’ attention to his modern and innovative designs. All major furniture manufacturers reportedly rejected him. His last meeting was with Coggin, a furniture manufacturer that was looking for a designer for its future products. Baughman later recalled, “I showed him my designs for about an hour. Suddenly, Thayer stood up and said, ‘I’ve never seen this before, but I like it.’ Let’s do this.'”.
Milo and Thayer’s collaboration lasted nearly five decades until Baughman’s death in 2003 and resulted in a variety of amazing designs including the Recliner 74 Chair. It was first introduced in 1966 and manufactured until 1971. The Milo Baughman Recliner 74 was brought back to life by furniture company Thayer Coggin Inc., who put the chair back into production and made it commercially available again.
design
“Furniture that is designed too obviously is very interesting, but too often it only belongs in museums.” This quote from Milo Baughman perfectly illustrates his approach to furniture design. In Baughman’s outstanding work, his great creativity has never compromised on functionality, instead achieving an ideal balance between modernity and modernity. His designs were inspired by the idea of creating timeless, universal objects that stand the test of time. The concept of making very simple and fully functional, yet elegant and stylish objects was incorporated into the design of the Recliner 74 from the start. The design of the chair combines simplicity with comfort. The most distinctive part of the chair is its adjustable seat, hence the name “Recliner”, which reclines according to the user’s desire.
The long backrest offers excellent support and gives the chair its royal throne look. The angle between the backrest and seat shell does not change, the seat leans backwards overall. To ensure maximum comfort and relaxation, the extendable footrest protrudes from under the chair. Both the seat shell and the backrest consist of plywood cores on which the foam and fiber cushions are layered. Although the chair was originally available in fabric, customers can now choose from a variety of fabrics and leathers to personalize this modern design classic. One of the most notable upholstery options is Ducale Wool, which at first glance looks like a plain, solid color fabric. However, a closer look reveals hints of lighter shades in the fabric, blended together to add depth and warmth to an outstanding textile. The chair stands on the four-legged base made of walnut wood. The legs are cylindrical and tapered at both ends. They also serve as support for the curved walnut armrests.
The Milo Baughman Recliner 74 Chair is a perfect combination of amazing form and exceptional functionality. Still looking fresh and appealing, this remarkable piece of furniture makes a great, tasteful addition to any contemporary interior.
