Decorating
Must-Know Chair: The Acapulco
Once a hot item in 1950s Mexican glam decor, the Acapulco chair is once again gracing the terraces of today's cool casas and retro retreats
Acapulco, Mexico, was the destination in the 1950s. It was a glamorous and vibrant coastal resort that captured the hearts and imaginations of all who visited. Originating in this jet-setting era, the Acapulco chair quickly became popular all over Mexico. It’s hoop and hand-woven string construction is said to be inspired by Mayan hammocks, and its vivid colours by the tropical resort itself. Here’s what you need to know about the history, style and use of this colourful classic.
THE CHAIR
The original Acapulco was made of string fibres hand woven around an egg- or pear-shaped steel frame with four splayed legs. Today, vinyl cords often replace the string fibres and aluminium replaces steel for all-weather endurance. Similar chairs were produced in the United States in the 1950s by various designers and manufacturers. However, these had a circular hoop, where the original Acapulco chair is more pear-shaped.
The original Acapulco was made of string fibres hand woven around an egg- or pear-shaped steel frame with four splayed legs. Today, vinyl cords often replace the string fibres and aluminium replaces steel for all-weather endurance. Similar chairs were produced in the United States in the 1950s by various designers and manufacturers. However, these had a circular hoop, where the original Acapulco chair is more pear-shaped.
THE TREND
Available in a variety of bright colours as well as multi-coloured versions, the Acapulco was perfect for 1950s poolside lounging. Today, it’s a throwback to the classic mid-century style, blurring the lines between retro and contemporary.
Available in a variety of bright colours as well as multi-coloured versions, the Acapulco was perfect for 1950s poolside lounging. Today, it’s a throwback to the classic mid-century style, blurring the lines between retro and contemporary.
HOW TO USE IT
As an outdoor chair
The Acapulco is perfectly suited to outdoor use, with modern chairs made from materials designed to weather the elements, particularly in hot climates.
Cleaning tricks for outdoor furniture
As an outdoor chair
The Acapulco is perfectly suited to outdoor use, with modern chairs made from materials designed to weather the elements, particularly in hot climates.
Cleaning tricks for outdoor furniture
As an indoor chair
Indoors, the Acapulco chair is lightweight and moveable, and its woven construction means it is visually unobtrusive.
Indoors, the Acapulco chair is lightweight and moveable, and its woven construction means it is visually unobtrusive.
THE STYLES
Resort
Of course, the Acapulco is going to suit any resort-style location. In chic black or bright colours, it invites people to sit down, relax and enjoy the view.
Resort-style backyard retreats
Resort
Of course, the Acapulco is going to suit any resort-style location. In chic black or bright colours, it invites people to sit down, relax and enjoy the view.
Resort-style backyard retreats
Modern
Being of mid-century design, the Acapulco looks great in a modern interior as its slim lines and transparent construction don’t clash with other furniture or spaces. Plus, check out those funky shadows – op art perhaps?
Being of mid-century design, the Acapulco looks great in a modern interior as its slim lines and transparent construction don’t clash with other furniture or spaces. Plus, check out those funky shadows – op art perhaps?
Casual and eclectic
Casual chic and eclectic cool sums up this outdoor area with two white Acapulco chairs on a black and white geometric mat.
More geometric rugs
Casual chic and eclectic cool sums up this outdoor area with two white Acapulco chairs on a black and white geometric mat.
More geometric rugs
WHERE TO BUY
While you can buy Acapulco chairs new or secondhand, be aware that it would be very hard to get your hands on a 1950s original as the materials weren’t designed to last.
Genuine Acapulco chairs are made by craftspeople in Mexico and exported to Australia through companies such as Acapulco Chair. Buying the authentic article contributes to the quality of life of these craftspeople and their families.
While you can buy Acapulco chairs new or secondhand, be aware that it would be very hard to get your hands on a 1950s original as the materials weren’t designed to last.
Genuine Acapulco chairs are made by craftspeople in Mexico and exported to Australia through companies such as Acapulco Chair. Buying the authentic article contributes to the quality of life of these craftspeople and their families.
Acapulco chairs these days are typically modern replications or variations of the enduring style. Replica chairs can be bought from a variety of suppliers and for a range of prices. However, be aware that quality, construction, proportions, and materials – among other elements – will differ.
These must legally be labelled ‘replica’. While replicas enable a greater number of people to access the aesthetics of good design, copying designers and manufacturers’ work diminishes the capabilities and innovation of the design community as a whole.
TELL US
Do you have an Acapulco chair or two at home? Tell us what you love about them, and upload a picture in the Comments section below.
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These must legally be labelled ‘replica’. While replicas enable a greater number of people to access the aesthetics of good design, copying designers and manufacturers’ work diminishes the capabilities and innovation of the design community as a whole.
TELL US
Do you have an Acapulco chair or two at home? Tell us what you love about them, and upload a picture in the Comments section below.
MORE
Outdoor Furniture That Works in a Small Urban Garden
Must-Know Chair: The Adirondack
Pre-Summer Backyard Blitz: Week 2 – Outdoor Furniture Update
The designer of the Acapulco chair remains unknown even after all these decades. But legend holds that a French tourist visiting Acapulco in the 1950s was uncomfortably hot in solidly-constructed chairs. So he designed a chair inspired by the open string construction of traditional Mayan hammocks.