I’ve been obsessed with egg chairs for over a decade, ever since I spotted a hanging version in Domino magazine during college. A photograph from Marie Claire Maison has also lived in my inspiration folder for years. That image alone set me on a long-running hunt for the perfect egg chair.
So whenever I visit thrift stores, I’m always on the lookout. I’ve long dreamed of a hanging egg chair in our sunroom, perched near Clara’s daybed so either of us could gently rock without risking disaster. Safety — and plain bad luck — has meant my searches rarely succeed. Still, I keep looking. Once I came terrifyingly close.
The year was 2011. I found a Craigslist post showing a local thrift store’s haul, and tucked among the items was an incredible egg chair. I grabbed the phone, knocking things off my desk in my haste, and probably made a strange noise of excitement. When I finally reached someone, they told me it had sold shortly after the listing went up. I’m not proud of the blackout that followed; I remember nothing after “sold.”
Since that near-miss I’ve checked everywhere, including mainstream stores. For instance, Pier 1 has a hanging chair for around $280 that’s close to what I want:
They also sell a Papasan-style chair for about $80. It’s comfy and wide but feels too reclined to read as truly egg-shaped. The hanging model is more my aesthetic, while the Papasan is more budget-friendly.
There’s another version that looks like a dressed-up cousin of the Papasan — more egg-shaped in profile, though the cushion feels a little too bulky for my taste.
On a recent thrift-store run we visited several favorites and I took lots of photos. At the third shop I snapped a quick picture of a small pair of chairs and didn’t think much of it at the time.
Once I uploaded the photos at home, I had one of those “what was I thinking?” moments. Both chairs I’d photographed checked many boxes:
- They read very egg-ish.
- They fit my budget.
- They were clearly in need of some love — which I actually like, because it means character and a project.
- They were safer than a hanging model, which is appealing for clumsy types in our family.
I immediately sprang into action. I practically tackled John at his desk, pointed at the photo, and asked if they would fit in our car. He agreed at least one would, so we bundled up the kid and rushed out the door. Twenty minutes later we were back at Goodwill — only to discover the right-hand chair was already sold. I was disappointed, but the left-hand chair remained, and it was perfect: egg-ish, within budget, and even swivel-capable. Thirty dollars later it was ours. In effect I bought a swivel egg-looking chair for far less than a comparable new piece, and I could customize it with new cushions.
Side note: I celebrated my small coup by making an omelette that night. I know — slightly odd symbolism given the chair’s shape.
The chair isn’t tiny — its back comes up to about John’s shoulder blades (and he’s 6′ tall). It’s definitely big enough for Clara and comfortable for an adult. The original cushion was grody and has been removed, which makes the chair’s silhouette much clearer. It has strong, appealing curves that read as very egg-like.
I tried out some pillows to get a sense of shape and scale. They look a bit odd at the moment, but they helped me decide on a plan: I’ll either sew or source a better-fitting seat cushion and add a taller back cushion so both seat and back feel equally comfortable.
I’ll also refresh the chair’s finish beyond just new cushions. I may have already started that process — once it’s dry and ready for photos I’ll share the full reveal. Meanwhile, progress continues slowly but surely on the deck project, so expect an update next week.
Small progress is still progress — inch by inch. I’ll keep you posted on the chair updates and the deck work.
P.S. We announced this week’s giveaway winner on the blog. Check the original post if you want to see who won.