StIJl Chair | 2026

The StIJl Lounge Chair is a contemporary wooden lounge chair that brings together artistic vision, traditional artisanry, and ergonomic comfort. Designed and crafted in Amsterdam, the chair combines a calm sculptural presence with practical usability. With dimensions of 65 × 90 × 76 cm (h × l × w), a seat height of 39 cm, and a seat depth of 52 cm, its proportions are carefully balanced to create a relaxed and supportive seating experience.

The project exists as a response to a furniture industry increasingly dominated by fast production cycles and short-lived products. The aim of StIJl is to demonstrate that thoughtful design, natural materials, and traditional craft can offer a more sustainable alternative.

Each wood species has its own visual language, and the design responds to those qualities. The chair is available in American walnut and European oak, both bringing a different expression to the form. Oak, with its coarse grain, naturally calls for clean, straight lines. Walnut, known for its finer structure and darker tones, allows for softer, rounded forms.

This way, the material itself becomes a guiding element in the design process. For both types of wood, there is a choice in upholstery between leather and high-pile fabric.

The use of solid wood not only provides structural longevity but also carries environmental value: wood continues to store CO₂ even while the furniture is in use indoors. Each chair is finished with linseed-oil–based furniture oil, a natural treatment that protects the surface while maintaining the authenticity of the material.

The methodology behind the chair is rooted in century-old woodworking techniques reinterpreted for contemporary design. The backrest is steam-bent, allowing the wood to form a gentle curve while preserving its natural strength. The structure is assembled using mortise-and-tenon joinery, a technique known for its durability.

A key aspect of the project is that the designer is also the maker. This direct connection between design and production brings together an eye for balanced, thoughtful design with years of experience working closely with clients and architects.

The name StIJl reflects the identity of the project. In Dutch, stijl means style, referring to the confident character of the chair. It also echoes steil, meaning steep or straight, a reference to the clear structural lines in the design. The capitalized IJ refers to the River IJ in Amsterdam, where the chair is designed and made.