Ercol Chairs
An icon of mid-century British furniture design, Ercol produced the elm, beech, and ash chairs that still grace homes today. Vintage Ercol chairs range from the classic Windsor chair to the blonde elm studio chair. With stunning patina and tactile curves, Ercol’s wooden chairs exude great style, quality craftsmanship, and perfect proportions for the modern home.
At Vinterior, we have a huge variety of Ercol classics for you to peruse. Built to last, and perfect for the dining room, living room, or bedroom, you could soon welcome a piece of social history into your home. Shopping sustainably has never been easier. And the best part of supporting a thriving community of passionate sellers is you’ll be creating your own bespoke aesthetic with a one-of-a-kind vintage Ercol chair or two or three. Explore our exclusive edit below.
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The history of the Ercol chair
Ercol chairs herald from a brand with a rich history. Founded in 1920 by Lucian Ercolani, Ercol survived the Second World War to become a major UK producer of iconic steam-bent furniture. Using beautiful pale woods native to the UK such as elm, beech and ash, vintage Ercol chairs count among their number iconic designs. The Ercol Windsor chair, Ercol Butterfly and armchairs are highly sought-after today because of their unique combination of both form and function.
Why is Ercol so popular?
The beautiful solid wood craftsmanship alongside the provenance and heritage of a stalwart brand make Ercol a popular furniture choice. There are a few stylistic things to consider when incorporating a vintage Ercol wooden chair into your home. Some confusion can stem from the finish and colour of vintage Ercol chairs. Anything described as ‘light’ or ‘blonde’ should be a natural, clear finish. This is the lightest finish available, but note that it can darken considerably with age. ‘Golden Dawn’ is a popular stained finish that was introduced around 1982 and which is surprisingly dark – but it is often used to describe blond pieces. Consider which vintage Ercol chair finish will work well in your home and explore the range of finishes available.
Why buy a vintage Ercol chair?
The graceful steam-bent curves of vintage Ercol chairs lend them a truly timeless quality. Incorporating an Ercol chair into your home is easy; it sits as beautifully within a traditional interior as it does a contemporary counterpart. Whether a deep set cosy Ercol lounge chair or a set of Ercol dining chairs, it’s hard to find a home which doesn’t look better for housing vintage Ercol.Vinterior tip: How to spot an Ercol chair
You'll know if a chair is truly Ercol by looking at the where the legs meet the seat. Ercol used a technique called 'wedge joinery', so look out for the classic tiny circles that look different to the rest of the grain.
Shopping for Ercol chairs in the UK
Shopping for Ercol chairs in the UK couldn’t be easier. With resources like Vinterior, you can browse a host of UK vintage Ercol experts’ collections to unearth the perfect Ercol chair for your home. Opting for vintage Ercol chairs also helps to combat throwaway culture and unnecessary overproduction, whilst gracing your home with exquisite Ercol vintage to be enjoyed for many decades to come.