Saarinen Womb chair

Eero Saarinen Womb Chair

Designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948, the Womb Chair was created to provide a sense of comfort and security—allowing you to relax in a naturally supported, enveloping form. Its sculptural shape, paired with deep cushioning, made it an instant icon of mid-century modern design and a staple in both residential and commercial interiors.

Reupholster with Mod Restoration

At Mod Restoration, our goal is to preserve the integrity of the Womb Chair while restoring it to its original beauty and comfort. It's all about the correct foam, the hand-stitched seams, the shape of the cushions and of course the fabric. Each chair is carefully rebuilt with attention to its unique contours, using fabrics such as Knoll Classic Boucle, Knoll Cato, Kvadrat Tonus or Kvadrat Tonica etc. You can get an instant quote and select from a range of premium fabrics by clicking the link below.

What is the Womb Chair made of?

The chair is constructed of foam over a molded, reinforced fiberglass shell, and the ottoman is constructed of a foam cushion over a molded plywood platform. The seat and back cushions are removable, and held to the frame with clips.

While the early versions of the chair had black metal bases, the newer versions come in both polished chrome finish & matte black powder-coat.

The original Womb chairs were upholstered in wool, such as Kvadrat Tonus, Tonica, Hallingdal, or Knoll Classic Boucle or Cato. Today there are more options, such as Knoll Classic Velvet, Ultrasuede, Hourglass, leather and lots of others. 

How do I know if my Womb Chair is vintage?

The main difference between the early version chair (1970's and earlier) and the newer versions is how the seams on the frame meet.

The seams on the earliest versions were hand-stitched (that's 300" worth of hand-sewing!), and the only piping found is on the removable seat and back cushions.

The chairs made post-1970's have piping all along the frame, and there is minimal hand-sewing on this version. Today, Knoll only makes this chair with piping along the frame border. At Mod Restoration, we can reupholster your chair either way. 

How much fabric or leather is needed to reupholster the Womb Chair?

The Womb Chair requires 7 yards of fabric, plus an additional 2 yards for the ottoman. For leather reupholstery, we use 3-4 leather hides, depending on the size of the hide. 

Additional services for the Womb Chair

In addition to reupholstery, we also offer fiberglass repair if your frame is chipped or cracked. We can also order new glides for the chair or ottoman legs (chrome).