Shaker style wood restaurant chair the Hugh

Shades of Hugh: The New Wood Restaurant Chair

by Andrea Reynolds

Make it mint. Play it safe with natural wood. Or go classic with black. Anyway you paint it or stain it, the Hugh chair won’t disappoint. Hugh is a Windsor-style wood restaurant chair. It’s the wood dining chair every restaurant and cafe wants needs. Why? That’s easy; it’s just the right amount of design, coupled with durability and loads of versatility.

Pretty Design

Wood Restaurant Chair windsor style

The design isn’t new; on the contrary, the Shaker-inspired lines have been done hundreds of times. But, Hugh has a way of making an all-wood dining chair feel fresh and elegant with its spare design and appropriate proportions.

Hugh opts for simple spindles instead of intricate ones. The slightly rounded seat and curved backrest provide a softness, contrasted by the austere lines. The back height is not dramatically tall, something you may find with other Shaker-style chairs. Rather, Hugh succeeds in finding the right proportions for everyday use.

Speaking of which, one of our favorite features is its scale. Hugh’s seat measures at 18” wide, just slightly larger than other Shaker-style chairs. We found that the slight increase creates balance between the seven spindles and angled legs. But more importantly, the larger seat makes guests feel more comfortable.

Pretty Tough

Wood Restaurant Chair windsor style back angle

Hugh is made of solid European beech wood. All joints, legs, and stretchers are glued then reinforced with screws to ensure maximum strength. The spindles in the back are also screwed from the bottom of the seat. For added comfort, the seat also has a small saddle. To complete the dashing and durable ensemble, Hugh is fitted with durable metal glides.

Knowing this chair is made for high traffic eating spaces, we tested this chair to perform to BIFMA standards. While Hugh may look delicate, extra steps were taken in the design and manufacturing process to ensure this chair stands up to the busiest restaurants and cafes.

Pretty Smart

Because Hugh is not overly designed, it goes well with many styles and varied pieces of furniture. Think of it as the dark denim of chairs. You can easily mix with all metal furniture, lush upholstered banquettes, or natural wood products. From rustic farmhouse to urban eclectic, it’s easy to picture Hugh in spaces like an uber trendy cafe, an updated QSR, or a full-service family restaurant.

Windsor Style Chair restaurant design

We love how Hugh pairs well with industrial pieces, such as the Brady Backless barstool or the Siren barstool. Or, reinforce a soft, rustic feel by choosing the all wood Brooke barstool. 

Because the overall chair is so simple, Hugh looks great with a variety of bases. For more ideas on furniture and style pairings, take a quick look at our Hugh-inspired Pinterest board.

Hugh meets every need in the restaurant chair category; it’s a classic yet relevant design, its makeup is strong and proportionate, and it goes with just about any decor. No matter your preferred shade of Hugh, this modern chair won’t disappoint.

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