The Hardoy butterfly chair has been around since 1938, but the design looks as fresh and new today as ever, as seen in Elle Decor and Dwell. A staple of American life for the past fifty years, you can see it in "What Was Good Design? MoMA's Message 1944–56" now at the museum. To order yours, select a size B cover and a frame (below). To buy a replacement cover for a vintage chair, measure your frame to determine the size that will fit best. Circa50 is the only supplier of solid steel butterfly chairs with heavyweight canvas and a 1-year warranty. Price,: 49€ any size ($68.60 USD). Click swatch for large view.

Metric conversions for measurements: Size B: 73 - 76 cm back, 66 - 68 cm front; Size C: 79 cm back, 71 cm front; Size D: 81 - 84 cm back, 73 cm front.

You've come to the only source for made-to-measure butterfly chair covers. Why settle for "one-size-fits-all" covers when you don't have to? Within days yours will be cut, sewn, trimmed and finished with an outside binding. Binding: Our fabric covers are finished with a 1" matching binding along the edge. Visa, MasterCard, AmEx accepted.
Selecting the size of your replacement cover: If your butterfly chair folds, order a size A replacement cover; otherwise, measure your non-folding frame and compare your measurements with the diagram. Determine the widest span the cover needs to fit across the back and the front by measuring your frame as shown. The point at which you measure may be at the peak of the bends or it may be along the sides, wherever it is the widest. Contact us at butterflystuhl@yahoo.com if you have questions about selecting the correct size.

Our Service: Over 5 million butterfly chairs were made in the 1950's by hundreds of manufacturers. Consequently, there is no standard 1950's size. Our four replacement cover sizes will fit most frames, however, if your frame does not match up to size A,B,C or D, we will create a perfectly-fitting cover just for you. For instance, if your chair measures 81cm across the back but only 66cm in front, we will combine our patterns to make a D/B cover to fit your frame.
Our Story: In 1937, Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy apprenticed under architect/designer Le Corbusier in Paris; the following year they invented the "BKF" or butterfly chair. In 1941, MoMA design director Edgar Kaufmann Jr. brought the first two chairs to the United States. One chair went to the museum, the other to Fallingwater, his home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Kaufmann accurately predicted that the butterfly chair would become hugely popular in the US. Today, the canvas covers in use at Fallingwater are made by Circa50.
Our Clients: In addition to thousands of residential clients, Circa50 provides butterfly chairs to The Parker Palm Springs, Starlux Hotel (Wildwood, NJ), Thunderbird Hotel (Marfa, TX), Chelsea Hotel (Atlantic City), Sunset Beach Hotel (Shelter Island, NY), Hotel San Jose, Hotel Indigo (Athens, GA) and many others.

Shipping charge, Germany: Canvas and vinyl weave: A 5€ ($7.00 USD) shipping charge will be added to your total (Orders of 4 or more replacement covers ship free). Leather/cowhide: A 20€ ($28.00 USD) shipping charge will be added to your total. Complete chair with cover: A 45€ ($63.00 USD) shipping charge will be added to your total.
Shipping charge, European Union: quoted.
Returns: If you are not delighted with your purchase, return the item within 30 days for a full refund, less shipping costs. Custom sizes may be returned for a refund as well.
*100% Cotton canvas is classified according to weight in a numerical system. The smaller the number, the heavier the weight per square yard. We use #8 cotton duck, classified as heavyweight, while our competitors use #10 middleweight, #12 lightweight, or polyester fabric. You clearly see and feel a difference in quality.
Permanent Collections: MoMA, Fallingwater, Knoll Museum, Vitra Design Museum.