■ Table of contents

02 Intro

08 Letter From C
A word from the publisher

12 Quotes
Renowned architects and designers talk about Michael Thonet.

14 5 Cities, 5 Cafes
Cafes in Paris, Vienna, Milan, Paju, and Melbourne?homes to Michael Thonet chairs
Paris The Dancing Goat, a Paris-based cafe that bans laptops
Wien Cafe Central, which opened in 1876, demonstrates the prestige of a coffeehouse.
Milan Jamaica Bar, a venue for conversation and contemplation among 20th-century artists
Paju Temps Coffee, a cafe run by a Thonet vintage furniture enthusiast
Melbourne Bentwood Fitzroy, a delightful and relaxing community space for locals

50 Designer, Michael Thonet
Michael Thonet ?a designer who was also a renowned engineer, inventor, producer, and entrepreneur?set in motion the age of mass-produced chairs.

58 Iconic Chair
The No. 14, an iconic modern chair design that exemplifies technical innovation, efficiency, and popularization

64 Thonet Bestsellers
Thonet’s best-selling collection that has graced famed coffeehouses across the globe

71 About Ton
Czech furniture manufacturer Ton keeps alive the legacy of the Byst?ice pod Hostynem factory Michael Thonet founded in 1861.

80 The Bentwood Vision
Milan Dostalik, CEO of Ton, talks about the company’s strategy of embracing new technologies and designs while staying true to its legacy.

84 Image Documentary
The manufacturing process behind the timeless and iconic bestseller

98 Ton of the 21st Century
Ton has harnessed its storied history and symbolic heritage to modernize the brand.

102 Digest
Ton in the Czech Republic, Thonet in Germany, and GTV in Italy honor Michael Thonet’s designs in their own distinct way.

104 Opinion
Jasper Morrison, a designer who appreciates simple, practical, and timeless designs

110 By Thonet
A total of 10 iconic modern chairs inspired by the heritage of Michael Thonet’s design

114 Opinion
Alexander von Vegesack, a design scholar and collector of Thonet chairs, who founded the Boisbuchet research center

124 Viewing Rooms
A look at the cozy and inviting atmosphere the beloved No. 14 chair creates in a tearoom, a showroom, a study, and a garden

132 Opinion
Markman Ellis, a researcher of coffeehouse history and culture

138 Cafe by Cafe
Cafes have become popular “third spaces,” where people gather for various purposes: to work like they are at the office, to listen to music like they are at a concert hall, to savor food like they are in a restaurant, and to shop or even participate in events.

162 Cafe by brand
Chairs embody the identities of well-known cafe brands like Starbucks, Blue Bottle Coffee, Arket Cafe, Cafe Kitsune, Cafe & Meal Muji, and % Arabica.

166 New Wave
Classic design with simple and elegant curves, efficiency in production and transportation, and ubiquity in spaces like cafes and restaurants. The concepts that define Michael Thonet’s
No.14 satisfy these requirements. Furniture designer Seungji Mun, Milan-based design studio Alessandro Stabile Design Studio, and Seoul-based industrial design studio Studio Pesi talk about good chair design.

176 Chairpunk
Taehoon Jang of Zero lab puts his own twist on the No. 14.

178 Chair Index
My favorite chair

180 Outro
■ Content Images