THONET REIMAGINES MART STAM’S ICONIC CANTILEVER CHAIR (SS 33 & SS 34) IN A NEW “SOFT” EDITION

Images courtesy of Thonet

Crafted In Frankenberg with Meticulous Precision and Masterful Expertise

To mark the centenary of the Bauhaus Dessau building, Thonet revisits one of modernism’s most influential designs with a contemporary twist. The brand introduces a new “Soft” version of the iconic S 33 and S 34 cantilever chairs by Mart Stam, now upholstered in fabric coverings that echo the colourful spirit of early tubular steel furniture.

Originally conceived in 1926, Stam’s groundbreaking cantilever chair—famous for its absence of back legs—became a defining symbol of modernist design. Produced by Bauhaus contemporaries and later widely adopted, the design has long been associated with chrome frames and black leather. Yet historical research reveals a far more vibrant reality: early tubular steel furniture often featured bold textile coverings in vivid hues.

Drawing inspiration from this overlooked chapter of modernism, Thonet’s new “Soft” edition replaces the traditional leather seat and backrest with upholstered fabric surfaces, giving the chair’s minimalist silhouette a warmer, more tactile presence. The update also recalls the experimental textile work of Bauhaus weaver Margaretha Reichardt, who helped adapt the durable Eisengarn—an exceptionally strong cotton yarn—for use as chair coverings in the 1920s.

Presented by Interni Cipta Selaras

The new upholstery employs a reinforced “sandwich construction” that stabilises the fabric and prevents warping, allowing the chairs to be finished in a wide range of textiles—from smooth and structured to plush and voluminous. The coverings are meticulously sewn and stretched over the tubular steel frames by Thonet’s craftsmen in Frankenberg, a process requiring precision and expertise.

Available in combination with colourful powder-coated steel frames, the S 33/S 34 “Soft” versions bring renewed warmth and softness to Stam’s iconic design.