Vintage Tolix Chairs
Without realising it, you've probably perched on a Tolix chair in a restaurant or at your favourite al fresco dining spot. Our best-selling mid-century Tolix metal chairs and Tolix bar stools combine functionality with a durable, timeless style. Created by zinc roofer Xavier Pauchard, born in 1880, in Le Morvan, known as the green heart of France, the Tolix chair designer discovered he could protect the metal from rusting by dipping it into molten zinc, which in turn led to the development of these iconic seating options.
The chair made for all weathers, distinctive, and slim frame stackable space saver quickly grew to fame and became a favourite piece of functional furniture at bistros, cafes, and restaurants. Tolix dining chairs, bar stools, and tables are so versatile that they slot in perfectly inside and outside your home. Sparked with vibrant shades or toned-down gunmetal greys, the Tolix and metal chair collection has become a necessary sit-in style line that everyone needs to discover.
Vinterior specialises in iconic furniture and vintage hand-picked pieces from world-famous designers. Complement your al fresco dining before summer hits with a statement signature Tolix-style chair or bar stool. Shop from trusted sellers in our marketplace today.
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About Tolix Furniture
Tolix chairs are a piece of furniture history filling your home with stories of the collective past. A gatekeeper of the secret good old days. French-born Tolix chair designer Xavier Pauchard came from a family of zinc roofers in Le Morvan, known as the green heart of France. Unsurprisingly wood was the most important construction material in the 1930s, but Pauchard discovered he could protect the metal from rusting by dipping it in molten zinc or galvanising it. Pauchard registered his trademark symbol brand and started producing steel household items. Adaptable for all weathers outside, it explains the holes in the seats to allow the rain to drain off. So naturally, this added to their popularity in the French cafe scene.The firm became immediately popular with café owners, bistros, and factories, and by 1956 the classic Tolix chair was created, with a slimmer frame for stacking; you can now stack up to 25 chairs together! Initially made for its robust strength due to its protected sheet metal rather than its artistic charm, the chair has grown into a loved classic; today, its industrial silhouette bodes well in contemporary, urban, and eclectic environments.
Adding depth from dominant hues to industrial accent colours guides the eye through stark concrete walls or natural wooden elements. Its visual versatility explains its enduring appeal and is not necessarily just for sitting your bottom on. Easy to manoeuvre around, this humble French classic chair or stool makes a great impromptu side table for additional guests or an addition to your retro kitchen at a family gathering.
It may come as a surprise how comfortable a Tolix-style chair really is, as any wooden frame, despite its solid look and steel body, the chairs are comfortable to sit on. The galvanised robust metal can be paired with cushions or a backrest for added comfort. The well-renowned Model A Tolix chair is now part of collections in the MoMA in New York, the Pompidou Centre in Paris, and the Vitra design collection in Weil am Rhein in Germany.
Browse the Tolix metal chair or bar stools classics here at Vinterior; it's time to urbanise your interior with a splash of vivid red or natural urban greys and a searing industrial-style design twist. This line of furniture craftsmanship lasts a lifetime, so invest today and buy from our independent sellers now.