Land+Living: Polished Emeco Navy Chair

Furniture — June 28, 2004 Posted by Anthony

A classic <del>in chrome</del>

We've always loved the simple lines of the Emeco Navy chair. After looking up some info on Gehry's new Superlight chair by Emeco, we came across a picture of the Navy in polished ~~chrome~~ aluminum. Then it struck us: if our greasy fingers turn the polished backing of our iPods into a total mess after a few handlings, just imagine what these chairs will look like after a day or two. As beautiful as they are, our advice to you would be to order a big ol' bucket of chrome polish to go with your new chairs. Or, just don't touch or sit on them.

Oh, and as for the Superlight? Well, the jury is still out on that one. Ok, to be honest, we're not crazy about it. ~~Which leads us to wonder how Joe's performance on the Navy would standup against a similar performance on the Superlight. Hmmm, Joe?~~

UPDATE: Today we received an email from Dan Fogelson, VP of Sales and Marketing for Emeco. He wanted to inform us that we incorrectly described the Navy as "chrome" when in fact it is highly polished aluminum and very easy to keep clean. Here's what Dan had to say:

"Thank-you for your mention of Emeco on your site. Emeco makes 100% aluminum furniture - we do not chrome plate our products (a process that is environmentally dangerous and temporary). The photo you show is of a hand polished aluminum Navy chair. Simple Windex or other non streaking cleaner keeps it looking great. Next time you are in NYC, stop by the Hudson hotel where our polished chairs have been used continuously for close to five years. And if you are in the US, I'd like to show you the new Gehry Superlight T chair for your review now that it is in production."

Thanks for setting us straight on the Navy, Dan, and we'll be sure to get in touch with you about the Superlight.

Link: Emeco.net
Link: Emeco Superlight Press Release
Link: Book of Joe

The Gehry designed SuperLight is available with an industrial felt pad or brushed/ anodized aluminum. The chair stacks in a unique way by un-clipping the skin from the structure. The all-aluminum version can be used indoors or out.

6 comments

Comments (6)

Craig Forneris — October 15, 2004
Architecture and the Hudson

I am an architecture student at the Illinois Institute of Technology. We have to draw this chair for a class project. Even though they have a specific unique process to obtaining outstanding results for the aluminum itself the chairs are uncomfortable. Design wise the bottoms are not polished. A great chair is finished all around. I think that a person paying over a grand would prefer something more relaxng and less cold. this chair belongs on a submarine not in the house. I think that the revival of emeco on the market is a play on the greats of design. They have picked your glory make it worth while. Polished aluminum reminds me of a can of coke.

Craig Forneris — October 15, 2004
Gehry

I dont like Frank Gehry but I do like the chair he just designed for emeco. He combines both a rigid chair and a lightweight form that utilizes the base of the chair almost floating in space. I thinkemeco is on the right track buisness wise but I think the world needs a new architectural revolution not Frank Gehry.

Bette — January 25, 2006
Polished aluminum Navy chair

How much to buy them? Please.

katie s — February 23, 2006
polished aluminum navy chair

how much do these run and where to purchase?

James — February 23, 2006
Emeco website provides sales info

Please follow the Emeco link above - click "Contact" and look under "Sales" for the appropriate link for your purpose. I know that Design Within Reach carries Emeco products for retail sales.

Atlanta Guy — November 11, 2007
I love the chair...

There is a place in Atlanta Georgia called "Design Within Reach" that caries these chairs. Trust me, the chair is a work of art. I am not an employee of, fan of, and barely know of this place. If you never go there, I don't give a hoot. I saw it one day while riding down Peachtree Rd. I thought the chair was comfortable and "SUCH A PIECE OF ART". At $1200 I don't own one of these chairs, but I have asked the Mrs. for one as a Christmas gift for our 2nd home.....a condo downtown. If you are like me and don't like seeing your furniture at your friends home, you won't with this. As we say in the south " I ain't rooms to go"!