Crate Chair by Gerrit Rietveld

“The Crate chair has a slightly sloped backrest and supportive armrests; it is made of solid pinewood, with a water-based lacquer finish in a range of colors.”: HAY

The high version of Rietveld's design, at table height: 81 cm high, 57.5 cm wide, with armrests. It goes with the Crate table and the bench; the seat cushion is cut to fit its shape.

Pine and water-based lacquer

Every piece is made of solid pinewood: HAY writes solid pinewood on all product sheets: protected by a water-based lacquer, transparent on the natural version, tinted on the other four. HAY explains its choice of water-based lacquer: it “emits fewer volatile organic compounds than classic PU lacquer” and “has been developed to match the durability of traditional PU finishes.” The series is rated for outdoor use, “suitable for a wide range of outdoor environments,” and is delivered flat-packed, with standard gliders. Five finishes: natural, white, London fog (a warm grey), iron red, and black.

Crate, the crate furniture by Gerrit Rietveld

In 1934, Gerrit Rietveld designed a chair from shipping crate boards: reclaimed wood, visible joints, and an assembly plan anyone could follow. HAY summarizes the origin: “originally designed to utilize surplus wooden shipping crates.” The series was sold at the time as “weekend furniture” by the Metz & Co store in Amsterdam, notes Titus Darley of Rietveld Originals. HAY reissued it in 2023 with Rietveld Originals: lounge chair, chair, coffee table, and side table first, followed by the sofa, bench, and dining table in 2024. Rolf Hay, co-founder of the company: “It is hard to imagine something closer to our design values, because Rietveld’s mission was really to create a cool, affordable, and accessible range of furniture for everyone.”