Giddyap! The Pony Chair by Eero Aarnio

If you’ve ever been to a children’s party at a fast food restaurant or any other restaurant for that matter, chances are you’ve seen restaurant furniture that seemed to have been designed especially for children. You probably know what I’m talking about. Tables shaped like flowers or mushrooms and painted to make them look even more that way, chairs shaped like cars or elephants or lions. Sound familiar?

Well, it looks like the Pony Chair by Eero Aarnio would look right at home in such settings. I saw it over at Bonluxat, and I agree that children would find it appealing. Personally, I would never have guessed it was a pony if it were not for its name. I could see that it’s some kind of four-legged animal, but without further details, like some other animal chairs have, it’s pretty much an anonymous reproduction of a mammal.

The Pony Chair, designed by Aarnio in 1973, is manufactured by Adelta. The frame is made of metal, covered by molded foam and upholstery. It measures 44 inches wide and 25 inches high, with a seat height of 21 inches.

While it is true that the Pony Chair looks like a toy, it wasn’t meant to be one. In fact, Aarnio crafted it in such a way that it can also be used by adults as well as by children. That sure would promote some child-adult bonding at children’s parties!

It isn’t only in restaurants that this chair can be used. Pony chairs could also be used as contemporary reception chairs in maybe a pediatrician’s office or in hotels or resorts that cater to families. Aarnio says that a chair is a chair, but that a seat doesn’t necessarily have to be a chair. His imaginative creations inspire users to utilize them in imaginative ways as well.