The chair gods were smiling ... or why a middle aged woman did a happy dance
Wed, 8 Sep 2010 18 Comments 
My new chairs! Oh my new chairs!!! Can a chair give you an orgasm? What a silly question. Of course it can! Anita from Fun and VJs emailed me to let me know that a well known Brisbane retro collector was selling a few pieces to finance a new acquisition. The list was just too tempting. I gave in and bought 2 pairs of chairs. The first pair are Tanderra chairs from the Studio Line by Robert Dunlop. 70s, chunky and downright sexy. Pine, leather and anodised aluminium. I am in serious love with these. I told Kelvin they were for his man cave but I think they may have to live in my office. You can read more about Robert Dunlop here.
The second pair are Viking Chairs by Danish Quality Furniture (DQF). DQF was founded in 1958 by Eric Peterson, a Dane who immigrated to Brisbane. It bears an uncanny resemblance to Finn Juhl's Model 137 and is from the early 70s. Naughty Eric! But now I have two leather and blackbean chairs for a fraction of the cost of a vintage Danish piece. These will go in my new living room. The leather is divine. So soft. In case you didn't realised I'm actually purring as I write this.
I am so excited to share these that I didn't style anything, didn't try to snap at an angle to avoid the dead patches in the grass or the dog's tennis balls or the church pew up on carpenter's horses waiting to be restored. This is my "furniture workshop" where I tinker, restore and meditate while waxing or sanding. One day I'll have a real shed not a patio. Thanks again to Anita and many thanks to Chris. I'm off to do another happy dance and stroke my chairs :)
Reader Comments (18)
I love the white chairs!! What a find. I have recently come across this blog and am loving it.
Thanks for the great ideas.
Melissa from Brisbane
Well done, Jo! You know I love the DQF chairs but I definitely have a soft spot for your chunky chairs. Love that leather. xxAnita
Oh they are quite beautiful. I can imagine your rapture!
WOW lucky you. So gorgeous. I'm especially smitten with the white Danish-look-a-likes. They will make your living room... can't wait to see it!
I'm doing a happy dance for you too, those chairs are divine!!
These are AWESOME scores and once again I hate you but STOP BUYING STUFF until you get into that house!!!!!!! You should be buying 2 more houses to fit all your stuff!!!
Don't listen to Kim.....haha just joking. Love your chairs, great find.....we will have To add Anita as a spy....haha, cheers Katherine
I had to act now to get these chairs. It's not often that Chris lets his treasures go so it seems. Definitely not thrift store bargains but I paid a very fair price and a lot less than I would through a dealer. I owe Anita a spotter's fee. Perhaps a piece of art glass from my collection to yours Anita? Katherine I am definitely stopping buying large pieces until we move in. I'm "broke" ... not really but I have to think that way :P Otherwise I'd be all over that medical cabinet you have. OMG!!!! So sweet!
Oh my, the viking chairs are gorgeous!!
Yes, consider me a spy - in the style of Modesty Blaise, naturally. Ha! And Jo, don't even think of giving me anything for the tip-off. The very least I could do after receiving the lovely Florence cushions. Just call it Karma. x
I especially love the Tandera Chairs, OMG you can just see the comfort and luxury of them. The Viking Chairs are very unique as well! Great finds!
Karena
Art by Karena
ohhh in love with the second chair - pick me pick me :) lucky you - best le
Hi Jo,
I found myself a Viking chair! It is in need of some love, which it will most certainly get now it is in my hands. I am supposed to be finding furniture for my store but I think I am going to keep this for myself. So naughty. Oh well, I will be broke but happy :) It is one sexy looking low-slung chair.
Do your chairs have any markings on them? Mine doesn't but I am assuming it is DQF. The chair frame is a different timber to yours I think - lighter and a plainer grain. Now, what to recover it in? Very tempted to copy you (or Chris) and go white leather. They look stunning in the white leather - I think I would regret it if I went for anything else.
Julie the chairs don't have their original markings. If they did they were removed when they were reupholstered. I have a dining set by DQF as well in original condition but there are no markings on it either. I have scanned an article from Chris's magazine which talks about DQF's history and shows a couple of pieces and a mark. You can see it here and here.
Thank you for taking the time to scan those articles Jo!
- Julie
If you still have these chairs and would ever think of selling them please email me; kdneedham@hotmail.com
I have the stools to go with them and am on the search for these chairs.:)
(Robert Dunlop) chairs*
I've been looking for info about Robert Dunlop furniture and your 2 chairs appeared. I live in Hervey bay and have a large oval Dining Table and 6 chairs that match your 2. I am downsizing and moving to a unit at the Sunny Coast and want to sell these pieces that I purchased from the gallery in Brisbane in 1975. I am hoping that you might be able to direct me to any places/sites/outlets etc that could be interested in them. I would greatly appreciate any feedback you could offer. Thanks heaps from Jen