Chatwin Finnback Swivel Stool
The Finnback began as a question from Studio Reed in London: could the proportions of the Chatwin Tallback Swivel Stool embrace something more enveloping, something with a quieter, gentler warmth? They sent along a few reference images to point the way — Frits Henningsen's wing-backed chairs, all dark leather and sculptural calm — and we set to drawing, then to building.
The prototype, when it stood finished, had quietly slipped its source. It was no longer Henningsen we were keeping company with, but Finn Juhl — his particular understanding of how a backrest might shelter without confining. We had arrived at him sideways, by way of the hand rather than the homage, which is perhaps the truest way to meet a master.
The wraparound back curves like cupped hands, offering support that feels less like structure than like gesture. One's arms settle naturally into the front notches, while the leather-wrapped and stitched metal backrest support gives a gentle flex that answers the body. It is Juhl's generosity of form — recognized, not borrowed.
Available in counter and bar heights, each stool is built to order in your choice of twenty-six woods and an expansive range of leathers and fabrics. The backrest and seat can be upholstered in complementary or contrasting materials, allowing the piece to adapt to its surroundings while maintaining its essential character.
Dimensions
Counter Stool: 20″ diameter x 37″ H, seat height 25″
Bar Stool: 20″ diameter x 42″ H, seat height 30″
Materials
Wood: 26 woods from light to dark and several specialty finishes
Upholstery & welting
Backrest fully upholstered as standard
Optional partial upholstery: inner (body-facing) face upholstered, with the reverse left as visible wood — offered in ash, white oak, or walnut, in all finishes available for those species
Welt size: 3/16″ cord, offered as self-welt (hand-cut in-house) or COM contrast welt (client-supplied material)
Included on the backrest as standard (no upcharge, self or contrast); optional on the seat
Welt lengths: backrest: 60″; seat: 126″
Fabric: COM: 2.5 yards. Fabrics must have a slight stretch suitable for upholstering curved surfaces.
Leather: 200 plus leathers from Garrett Leather and Moore & Giles
COL Requirements: 35 sf and must be submitted for approval. Leather must have adequate stretch from top to bottom, side to side, and diagonally across the hide. It should be suitable for curved surfaces and must not be thicker than 1.6 mm.
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