It’s common in the design world to see several takes on the same object. In this case, it’s the Böste outdoor chair and ottoman that are a refreshed version of the classic Adirondack chair. Swedish outdoor furniture producer Skargaarden worked with designer Stefan Borselius to bring its version of the icon to life. The chair and ottoman get their name from Borselius´ hometown of Böste, located in southern Sweden, where it´s not uncommon to see a few chairs in this style among the dunes.
Created as early as 1903, the first Adirondack chair was designed by Thomas Lee. He created the piece of furniture as the “perfect outdoor chair” for his home in Westport, located on Lake Champlain, and it was originally named the Westport chair. It was patented and sent into production the following year by Lee’s friend Harry Bunnel, who ran a carpentry workshop. The Westport chair was an immediate hit, and has been reinterpreted over and over again under various names ever since. Adirondack chairs, as we commonly refer to the style today, are still popular in gardens, on beaches, and in other outdoor environments for their leisurely comfort.
Designer Stefan Borselius has built his career by developing innovative solutions using materials, form, and function. His interpretation of the iconic chair is a durable, powder-coated stainless steel and teak version that can be left outdoors year round. The rounded edges and softer shapes used in Böste are welcoming and feature armrests wide enough to be used as small tables for a glass or book. Over the years, the wood surface will turn into a silver-grey patina that can only add to its charm.
”For many years we have tried with various designers, but have not been able to achieve a worthy interpretation,” says Jari Visuri, co-founder and CEO of Skargaarden. “It was when we met furniture designer Stefan Borselius that we felt we had a chair worthy of paying tribute to the Westport chair. Stefan lives on the shore of Sweden´s southernmost tip, where you can´t avoid looking for similar chairs along the sandy beach. In hindsight, we now see why it was Stefan who understood what we were looking for and got the design right.”
To learn more about the Böste chair and ottoman, visit skargaarden.com.
