cotw. Nelson™ Coconut Chair

"Total design is nothing more or less than a process of relating everything to everything." What better example of that concept could there be than a chair inspired by a coconut? George Nelson was undeniably a brilliant designer, and his Coconut Chair is a wonderful example of that. According to Nelson the chair "was developed to give lounge seating comfort together with great freedom of movement." It was introduced in 1955, the same year that Eero Saarinen finished the Kresge auditorium at MIT. The shape of the chair's molded plastic shell seems likely to have been inspired by Saarinen's auditorium, though I wasn't able to find anything directly linking the two.

{photos of Nelson™ Coconut Chair via DWR}

I really enjoy this chair, it just exudes comfort. My only complaint lies in the fact that it is only being manufactured in black leather. Especially after reading the Sept. issue of Dwell; accompanying a blurb about a Nelson™ museum exhibit is a photo of five Coconut Chairs all in different earthtone fabrics. Come on Vitra, give us some options.