Crate lounge chair by Gerrit Rietveld

"The Crate lounge chair has low proportions, a slightly reclined backrest and supportive armrests; it is crafted in solid pine, with a water-based lacquer finish in several colours.": HAY

It is the original 1934 piece: Rietveld's low chair, 64.5 cm high, with a seat and backrest made of slatted boards set on two solid side panels. It is complemented by the folding cushion or the quilted cushion, cut to its size.

Pine and water-based lacquer

Each piece is made of solid pine: 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 intended for outdoor use, "suitable for a wide variety 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, Gerrit Rietveld's crate furniture

In 1934, Gerrit Rietveld designed a chair using boards from shipping crates: reclaimed wood, visible joints, an assembly plan that 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, then the sofa, bench and dining table in 2024. Rolf Hay, co-founder of the house: "It is hard to imagine something that aligns more closely with our design values, because Rietveld's mission was really to create a cool, affordable, and accessible furniture range for everyone."