The Zephyr lounge chair takes its name from the term sailing, when a yacht catches a gentle breeze. Conceived by Charles Wilson for the Australian outdoor furniture manufacturer Was, the chair’s graceful lines create a parallel in comparison. The Zephyr lounge chair brings the designer’s distinctive flowing shapes and ergonomic finesse, with the seat and backrest creating a sail-like shape for the adjusted frame padding. Wilson’s debut for the brand invites you to sit back, get comfortable and lounge around all day.

“I thought it would be a good idea to explore the design of a modern sling-style lounge chair, in principle not too different from your classic camping chairs (which are very comfortable), although something a little more elegant, ”says Wilson. “There is undoubtedly a strong nautical connection to the piece, it was intentional. Even down to the way the woven cord detail puts stress on the seat and backrest, it reminds me of the rigging of a yacht.

Intuitive and forgiving, the Zephyr lounge chair offers high ergonomic comfort outdoors. A gently angled, sling-style structure supports the lower back and upper neck, while the breathable, marine-grade canvas allows for air circulation. The die-cast stainless steel armrests secure the room visually and physically, thanks to their heavy weight. They also provide additional support for users who might need assistance getting up from the lounge chair.

“We spent a considerable amount of time getting the padding right. We have used the highest performance marine grade canvas available on the market, with a proven track record for use in extreme marine applications (primarily for ocean going vessels, no coincidence). Many outdoor fabrics of this quality can be very plastic and stiff, so it was imperative that the canvas provide breathability, malleability and softness to the touch, ”says Susan Tait, Creative Director of Tait. “We really love the matching color combinations of the canvas with our textured powder coated finishes. As always, much of our color inspiration has been taken from Australian nature. We have concentrated the offer on three colors: Blue-gum, Dunes and Grevillea.

The Zephyr lounge chair is available in four options, low back or high back, and with or without armrests. Featuring high performance materials ready to withstand extreme conditions, the frame is formed from stainless steel extrusion, the arms are made from strong die-cast stainless steel and the canvas is marine grade. The frame can be finished in your choice of wear resistant, exterior grade, UV stable textured powder coating.

Charles Wilson

To learn more about the Zephyr lounge chair, visit madebyteit.com.au.

Kelly Beall is Editor-in-Chief at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based graphic designer and writer has had a deep love for art and design for as long as she can remember, and enjoys sharing her finds with others. When not distracted by great art and design, she can be found wreaking havoc in the kitchen, consuming as much information as possible, or on the couch with her three pets. Find her @designcrush on social media.