By Arne Jacobsen
This is the chair that stirred the design world with its curves, and copies can now be found everywhere Photograph: Nick Pope/Chairs by Judith Miller
Heals
Philippe Starck may not necessarily have made for good TV in BBC2's reality series, Design for Life, but he does make pretty good chairs. The Louis Ghost chair is the best example of a modern take on an old classic – baroque-inspired, extravagant but still subtle, this is elegant and oh-so-very cool Photograph: PR
Heals
The Eames lounge chair has 1950s retro written all over it; reminiscent of something you'd find in a smoky gentleman's club, this is definitely something for the boys. The original design will set you back £4,490 at Heals ... Photograph: PR
Iconic Interiors
... but you can get faithful reproductions that are almost identical, like this one, for substantially less Photograph: PR
OMK Associates
These Omstak chairs, or Omks, are cute and cheerful – a pair of red ones would definitely liven up a little kitchen. They even stack up, so they'll save on space too Photograph: PR
Iconic Interiors
If you take it out of its office reception context, the Barcelona chair is actually one stunningly seductive piece of design with smooth leather made for curling up on. The original design was made for Spanish royalty, who presumably sat on it with decorum Photograph: PR
Heals
Translucent chairs are becoming timeless; Italian designers Calligaris have been doing them for years now. If you do want colour, look out for their Jam chairs with the jewel-toned backs Photograph: PR
Molly-Meg
Little people don't have to miss out on design classics – Molly-Meg has a fabulous collection of retro chairs for children. This 1960s bucket chair is a one-off, but they also have original mini-Knolls and Ercols Photograph: PR
Iconic Interiors
You could not walk past a Le Corbusier chaise without instantly wanting to drape yourself all over it. It's smooth, chic and very, very sexy Photograph: PR
iconicinteriors.co.uk
The Swiss loved Le Corbusier so much that they put this very chair on their postage stamps. The style of this armchair, with the metal frame placed outside, has been imitated in high-street furniture stores. The original chair was celebrated for its masculine but very modernist design Photograph: PR
Iconic Interiors
Eero Saarinen's Tulip chair was considered futuristic when it first came out in the 60s. Now you can buy it with chair pads in different shades – they look great paired against a dark wood table for contrast Photograph: PR
