When I was writing all those stores about where to buy 28 affordable midcentury and modern sofas, and then 29 sofa-sectionals and then 11 round sofas, I also discovered these fantabulous chairs: The Luna chair, first spotted at Dania/Plummers. Yes, this is the pricing from Dania/Plummers/Scandinavian Design (same company); more info from my call, below. I did more online research and found that this chair is made and marketed by IMG Comfort. They are based in Norway, and their website explains the provenance of this cozy chair:
An instant classic since 1970 when acclaimed Norwegian designer Odd Knutsen introduced his Luna Chair. Knowing IMG’s passionate pursuit of perfection, Knutsen assigned our company the exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute his groundbreaking design worldwide. Underlying the Luna Chair’s unobtrusive design is a level of comfort rarely obtained by even the most expensive chairs. This you must experience first-hand to believe.
The Luna chair seems to be available via various retailers within the U.S. In my cursory research, Dania/Plummers / Scandinavian Designs appeared to have very competitive prices. I talked to a super helpful manager at Scandinavian Designs in Berkeley, Calif. She confirmed the prices I listed above. She said that these chairs are now made in Thailand, which is what has kept prices low. The leather is from Europe. She said they do not do online sales. However, if you call Berkeley, she said she could give you the shipping dimensions and if you take responsibility for the shipping, you could buy one that way. The chairs do require assembly, and she said it’s a pain. If you are buying for pickup at the store, they do the assembly for you in advance. Finally — they no longer do custom orders — there are a handful of colors of leather regularly available, and two wood colors.
I love the groove-tastic look of these chairs, but I also want to point out: They are not ginormous on-steroids — like so many American easy chairs today. They are just 29″ x 29″ x 29″ (I rounded), with a 22″ space for your tush to nestle into. This is a very small footprint — great for our smaller houses, perhaps?
On the Mauk’s of Jonesborough website, I found some additional options.
What terrific chairs! They deserve to be big sellers in today’s retro-crazed market! These are so pretty, I am using lots and lots of exclamation points!
Links:
- Luna chairs, ottomen and table at IMG Comfort (manufacturer and distributor — not a retailer).
- Check the links in the story for retailers recently spotted. There may be more.
Shelley says
Update! I happened upon these this weekend at Scandinavian Designs in Berkeley and fell in love! I have a very small living room and a retro 50’s-style black leather couch with tapered silver legs. My style is pretty ecclectic with all periods represented, so this works. Therefore, the cream color (they call it latte) works best for me. I ordered the high back and the ottoman and BOTH were on sale, even though they were not advertised as such on the store! They were $369 and $125. Score! This chair is WAY more comfy than the Poang IKEA chair. I have been on the hunt for a comfy and stylish and small chair for a long time.
pam kueber says
WOW, what a great deal you got, I am jealous!!!
Kimberly says
I just bought this chair in the havana (brown) leather high back version as well as the corresponding ottoman from Arizona leather (store was closing and I bought the floor model). I absolutely love it. I went into the store the night prior and sat in both the high and low back versions and I was not very pleased with the low back version, as it just was not comfortable for me, I need head support.
I have been reading in it and have found it to be quite comfortable. I am now on a mission to find a second chair at a reasonable price point. This is how I happened upon your blog.
As to assembly; the floor model was taken apart for me to transport and I had to reassemble it at home.(I love that it is collapsible; this will be useful for the next move) Overall, it was not a difficult process. It requires (or would be easier if you had them) two allen wrenches/a ratchet set, to fully secure the metal base and wood blocks in place. Once the three of the four corners are put together, the fourth corner may be a bit of a fight but not too much of one.
pam kueber says
Yum! I want a high back and ottoman in scrumptious brown leather ON SALE, too!
Kimberly says
@Pam –
I was super LUCKY. And I researched, hemmed and hawed overnight fully expecting it to not be there the following day. Alas, I was smiled down upon by the chair gods. They knew I needed this seat, since I gave my living room set up prior to moving cross country. I hope to be as lucky when I look for chair two and perhaps the table; a second ottoman may be in order as well (I’m not sure I’d be willing to share with the person sitting in the other chair at the same time.)
I completely agree with you that the footprint is NOT overwhelming to a room, thus, making it a good fit almost anywhere. The store manager found the assembly instructions for me, they were very thin, but if you’re mechanically inclined, even a little, the chair and ottoman should not be hard to assemble. If you’d like, I can scan them and send them to you…
I’m incredibly happy I found the chair as well as your blog to help me ferret out the additional items I desire from this manufacturer. You can be certain I’ll continue to follow your blog.
pam kueber says
xoxox 🙂
darleen r dhillon says
Hi, Pam—it was good to talk to you yesterday about our Luna chairs! Just one minor thing—you gave me a promotion!! I’m not the store manager—I am but a lowly peon, working in the retail trenches as a salesperson. (I don’t use the phony “associate” term.) However, I am pretty knowledgeable–and talkative!—so I can see where you might’ve thought I was the manager.
Thank you so much for the nice plug—and I love your blog!
Have a great weekend—take care, and thanks again.
Darleen
STL Mom says
I have two of these chairs (low back) and an ottoman. I am 5’1″ and love being able to sit back in a chair and still have my feet touch the floor. My husband is 5’10” and he likes them, too.
Our friends who have not found these chairs comfortable were all larger people, over 6′ tall. If you are over 6′, I’d suggest that you try before your buy. All my short friends love them!
We bought them eight or nine years ago so I don’t really remember how bad the assembly was. They have held up quite well to being knocked over and dragged around by kids.
Rebecca says
The white one. I have the perfect spot..
JefferyK says
I wonder how comfy the high-back version is for reading? I like my IKEA Poang chair, but I’m always on the lookout for the perfect reading chair.
Rocket Doc says
You would have to try it. I like the low back, and initially found the high back pressed my shoulders and head forward of where I wanted them. However, the store personnel showed me how the high back’s headrest is adjustable and it became more to my liking–but I would rather put the money towards an ottoman and have my feet up to read, as the low back chair put my head and neck at an angle I find comfortable.
I doubt, however, that it would be 3 or 4 times as comfortable as a Poang, so in that sense it’s not cost-efficient.
JefferyK says
Thanks for the info. I might trek over to Berkeley — I’m in San Francisco — and test drive the chair.
pam kueber says
Go to the website and see the Dealer Locator — there may be a store right in the city…
TroySF says
Wow. Black base with off-white leather. Far out!
pam kueber says
Troy, if you are into these, talk to Scandinavian Design there in SF area. I just got off the phone — they do not stock white leather, alas.For lowback they have bronze, red, latte, havana, dark brown on dark brown or teak base. Highback same base colors, leather colors are bronze, red, latte.
Dave Kitch says
I’m sorry, even if small in area, they appear overstuffed and 80s. Thumbs down!
pam kueber says
So disagree: CLASSIC 70s. Oh well, differents strokes…
Kathryn says
I love the 70’s and 80’s stuff too. I have been mixing my house up with everything from those times, and the 50’s and 60’s. I just find to much cool stuff I love from all those periods.
Rocket Doc says
You have to see one in person to understand how compact they are. You could put 4 in the space of one of today’s channel-stitched pile of loose cushions chairs-and-a-half. They are about as overstuffed as an Ekornes Stressless–which you may also dislike–but are not rigid, just a padded bucket which molds itself to you when you sit down. If I were doing a dedicated home theatre room, this would be my pick for seating.
Birgitte says
I just want to chime in and say yes, these are incredibly comfortable chairs! I was born and raised in Norway and these chairs were found in almost all homes in the 70s and 80s.
Rocket Doc says
There are actually a lot more colors available, in three different grades of leather as well as synthetic suede; only a few are usually stocked but retailers should be capable of ordering them, if they’re willing and you’re willing to wait. As the one picture shows, there’s also a compact glass-top round coffee table with a similar base in the different wood colors.
They mold themselves to your shape and are insanely comfortable. I’m surprised that you found prices that low, however–that’s what they cost 5 or 6 years ago, and they went up about $100 in 2008 as shipping costs increased with the price of oil. Even the suede microfiber cost more the last time I checked, and the highest grade leather was significantly more.
pam kueber says
I will try and call Dania’s today and confirm whether the prices shown on their website are not for the leather….
pam kueber says
I talked to a super helpful manager at Scandinavian Designs in Berkeley, Calif. She confirmed the prices I listed above. She said that these chairs are now made in Thailand, which is what has kept prices low. The leather is from Europe. She said they do not do online sales. However, if you call Berkeley, she said she could give you the shipping dimensions and if you take responsibility for the shipping, you could buy one that way. The chairs do require assembly, and she said it’s a pain. If you are buying for pickup at the store, they do the assembly for you in advance. Finally — they no longer do custom orders — there are a handful of colors of leather regularly available, and two wood colors — see my response to Troy SF below, I list the colors she gave me.
Rocket Doc says
Asian production would explain lower prices. I will have to check in at the local dealer. One of the online vendors is still listing the low back, e. g., for $627 in fabric, $777 in Prime leather, $807 in Trend leather, $837 in Classic or Elite leather, and $987 in Aniline leather (there are now 5 grades of leather, a leather/vinyl, and three fabrics) plus approx. $100 shipping–so you can see why Dania’s prices surprised me.
I am bummed that the suede fabric is no longer available in green or blue, but both colors are still available in leather along with reds and golds in addition to typical leather colors–if you can find a dealer who will order them.