The Wishbone Chair, also known as the CH24 or Y-chair has long been the stuff of interior acclaim. A well-established member of the design world’s hall of fame, it’s rightly considered to be one of the nine dining chairs you should know by name. Popular in both private and public projects around the globe, this instantly-recognisable icon sits pretty everywhere from Harry Styles’ dining room to the artfully-minimalist Schgaguler Hotel in the Dolomites.

A cornerstone of Danish design, the chair is known for its Scandinavian simplicity and natural, organic palette that highlights the beauty of the wood grain and the texture of the twisted paper coil seat. Bringing with it a burst of open, airy and breezy optimism, it’s safe to say the chair is a firm favourite of designers all over the world. It wasn’t until 2018, that the original manufacturer of Wegner’s designs, Carl Hansen & Søn, decided to experiment with colour, in a limited-edition run of chairs to celebrate the brand’s 110th birthday. Each drawn from hues found in nature, the chairs were released in Rosy Blush, Russet Red, Deep Burgundy, Navy Blue, Oyster Grey, Forest Green, Midnight Blue, and Deep Olive. Since then, the brand has also released a limited-edition version in classic blue to coincide with both Panetone’s Colour of the Year 2020 and what would have been Wegner’s 106th birthday.

A brief history of the Wishbone Chair

If you’re this deep into the article, chances are you’re already familiar with the Wishbone Chair’s rise to fame. However, here at Where Saints Go we love an iconic origin story. It may be difficult to believe, but this epochal interior piece is the result of a chance encounter that occurred at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition in 1947. Attended by both Hans J Wegner and the son of esteemed cabinet maker Carl Hansen, Holgar Hansen, it was there that Wegner’s talent was unearthed, and the Hansen brand decided to take a risk on the sleek, futuristic forms crafted by a young Danish man.

Originally met with a cold reception and compared to ‘garden furniture’ due to its minimal fuss and simple silhouettes, the three original designs launched by the Hansen brand in 1950 are in fact still sold today. Sporting a hardwood frame and natural paper coil seat, the Wishbone chair quickly became popular throughout the Midcentury in sunny California, with Germany following suit.

Then, in 1959, the two most famous men in the world sat atop original Wegner designs to participate in the first televised presidential debate. Smooth, sleek and slightly futuristic, this piece became known as ‘The Round Chair,’ ‘The Classic Chair’ or even simply, ‘The Chair.’ A collaboration between Wegner and Johannes Hansen, exact model numbers were PP501, PP503, JH501, and JH503. 

However, when asked about the decisive creation behind this nu-wave of Danish furniture style, Wegner himself replied, “It was nothing like that – creating …I suppose it was more an advanced process of purifying and for me simplification, cutting the elements down to the bare essentials: Four legs, a seat and a combined back and arm rest – The Chair.”

Why Hans Wegner’s CH24 design is so iconic

We can’t really put it much better than the man himself did above us. Ultimately, the Wishbone chair was designed with no-frills or thrills in mind, and is, at its core, just good design. As a result of that approach, we have a chair that remained popular in every generation. Why? Because it works. It’s comfortable, convenient, practical, simple and stylish, with impressive architectural prowess. What on earth else can you possibly want.

To quote the designer himself once more, “no chair is complete until a person sits on it” meaning that ergonomics will always reign supreme - if it’s not comfortable, if it’s not been designed for the purpose of sitting, then the chair is ultimately defunct.

Another reason for the Wishbone reaching such heights of international admiration undoubtedly stems from the time of its launch. Up until that point, furniture was heavy, dense and dark. Chairs were fashioned from mahogany and deep-stained oak. They were adorned with ornate detailing such as spiralling or cabriole legs and intricate Fleur-de-Lys accents. The Wishbone was a breath of fresh air. Men were racing to the moon, technology was advancing and people wanted a taste of this brave new world in their own interiors. Therefore, you can imagine how appealing Wegner’s designs were to homeowners that had only known the overbearing decor of old.

The colourful Wishbone collection from Where Saints Go

So, how do you go about getting your hands on a coloured Wishbone Chair that will make your interior pop while maintaining cult interior architecture status? Explore our new collection.

Featuring nine different shades of captivating colour, all of our Wishbones are crafted by hand using sturdy beech wood and a natural paper coil seat. Naturally durable and straight-grained, beech is a popular choice for furniture making, common in the creation of everything from musical instruments to kitchen utensils. Likewise, our seats are made using the highest-quality triple-twisted paper coil that is entirely made by humans - not moulded in a factory or churned out by soulless robots (sorry not sorry.)

In terms of finishing touches, we use a 30% semi-Matt finish on each of our Wishbone Dining Chairs, to preserve the wood and prevent any unsightly yellowing or discolouration. The cheaper models you find online usually use a high-gloss varnish with an ugly yellow tint, meaning you’ll be left with a sub-par piece.

What colours are available?

We thought you’d never ask. Drawing from popular interior trends, we’re proud to offer nine exquisite shades that bring both personality and style gravitas to any space. These are:

• Olive
• Lotus
• Celery
• White
• Green
• Grey
• Light Blue
• Legion
• Eggshell

The Olive Wishbone Chair

A shade to swoon over, the Olive Wishbone Chair sports a handsome, heritage hue that is much like Farrow and Ball’s Lichen or a softer, muted take on Hopper from Little Greene’s collaboration with the National Trust. Either way, the Olive green Wishbone Chair from our coloured CH24 collection evokes earthen imagery and tasteful heritage spaces. We think this tone is perfect for pairing with rich pomegranates, burgundies and mustards.

[Shop the Olive Wishbone Chair.]

The Lotus Wishbone Chair

The definitive dollhouse pink, our Lotus Wishbone Chair is like perfectly-piped icing on an irresistible cupcake. A stunning pink dining chair for the eclectic abode, the Lotus adds a touch of Wes Anderson elegance that allows you to tap into the Rose Quartz mainstay trend. When in doubt, think pink.

[Shop the Lotus Wishbone Chair.]

The Celery Wishbone Chair

Organic and appealing, the Celery Wishbone Chair has a yellow warmth to it that captures the sunshine mood harnessed by Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2023. Beautifully earthen, we picture this shade working well alongside vibrant gold pieces such as the Addie Bar Trolley or Cole & Son Senzo Spot Wallpaper.

[Shop the Celery Wishbone Chair.]

The White Wishbone Chair

Whether you’re going for quirky kitsch vintage or keeping things strictly simple, the White Wishbone Chair is likely to be the answer to your dreams. Crisp and impeccable, this minimalistic dining chair is as Danish as it gets, meaning it’s perfect for farmhouse-inspired spaces and contemporary living.

[Shop the White Wishbone Chair.]

The Green Wishbone Chair

The Light Green Wishbone Chair has an element of Farrow & Ball’s lively, mint-green pallor of Arsenic. Vivid and irresistible, this refreshing green dining chair is a deserving accent piece that can bring a sense of play to a dining space, or can further a bold aesthetic alongside fiery reds and bright orange.

[Shop the Green Wishbone Chair.]

The Grey Wishbone Chair

It’s a known fact that grey goes with everything. That’s exactly why we had to have a Grey Wishbone Chair. Versatile and warm, this Down Pipe-esque shade is perfect in spaces of rustic, textural charm. Pair with our Zara Vase and Blueberry Branch Stems for a peaceful, organic vibe.

[Shop the Grey Wishbone Chair]

The Light Blue Wishbone Chair

The vivid hue of our Light Blue Wishbone Chair echoes serene seascapes and the coastal design found in Hamptons interiors. Capturing the essence of stripped-back Danish living, this appealing dining chair works wonderfully alongside creamy neutrals or monochromatic layers.

[Shop the Light Blue Wishbone Chair]

The Legion Wishbone Chair

Deep and rich, the Legion Wishbone Chair features an intense shade of navy that gives it a maritime feel. Like a sapphire sea or smartly-pressed uniform, legion is an impactful colour that is truly timeless and endlessly versatile. Pair with striped linens and reclaimed wood accents for a rustic farmhouse feel.

[Shop the Legion Wishbone Chair]

The Eggshell Wishbone Chair

Known as a colour of calm and reminiscent of tropical coves, Eggshell Blue, or Duck Egg Blue as it is also called, is great for pairing with coral shades for an uplifting effect. The Eggshell Wishbone Chair also works well alongside natural wood furniture and soft green accessories for a truly relaxing effect. 

[Shop the Eggshell Wishbone Chair.]