Last week, I divulged some of my picks for the most iconic modern seats. This week, read on to see the final five unveiled ...

The Aeron Chair by Donald T. Chadwick and William Stumpf
Looking like something Darth Vader might wear at the beach, this super ergonomic seat, designed for the venerable Herman Miller company in 1992, is the real-life answer to the prayers of anyone who sits at a computer for hours at a time. The chair is probably the most important thing in an office (okay, maybe the computer is the most important), so start with the Aeron and build your office around it. And it comes in three widths to you expand with age and protracted sitting (suggested retail price is around $1,300, but simplyergonomic.com has them starting at $629).

The Wood Chair by Marc Newson
I have two rules about design. One: I hate fake. Two: I believe in function. So a chair that isn’t comfortable to sit on is sculpture, to me, not furniture. Some chairs, however, are just SO spectacular that questions of function pale. Such is the case with this amazing piece by Marc Newson (manufactured by Cappellini). Designed in 1988 it reinvents the bentwood chair that has fascinated furniture makers since the days of the art-nouveau curlicue rocker (you know the one). It’s made of beech heartwood and is a cross between an egg slicer, a moebius strip, and unfettered gesture (around $5,700 at unicahome.com).

The Cab Chair by Mario Bellini
This tubular-steel and leather beauty reminds me of luxury luggage, fine stationery stores, haberdashers with glass-fronted oak drawers, and (for some reason) Mexico. Designed in 1977, and manufactured by Cassina, it may be the best thing to come out of the 1970s, and it is still wildly popular today, a tribute to its universal appeal and versatility. My favorite thing about it? The saddle leather “upholstery” is zippered under the seat and can be replaced. It comes with arms and without and is often used at the dining table, although I think they’d be great anywhere, from the home office to the bedroom ($1,270 and $1,900 at mossonline.com).

The Rainbow Chair by Patrick Norguet
This festive piece of fine furniture—or is it art?—makes me smile. It reminds me of the Wizard of Oz and, yes, Judy Garland, but also of circuses, carnivals, Venetian glass, Paul Smith socks, rock candy, well, lots of fun things. It was designed by the amazing M. Nouguet in the year 2000 and is made of plates of “meta-acrylate” in different colors that are joined by ultrasound, leaving them absolutely clear. This stunner, from Cappellini, which makes some of the great chairs of the world, retails for around (okay, I know it’s insane, especially in this economic environment, but I said “best” chairs, not “most responsible”): Just under $13,000 at unicahome.com. I can’t help it: This chair makes me feel like Rachel Zoe in a room full of vintage Chanel.

The Wingback Chair by Tom Dixon
Manufactured by a 200-year-old company (George Smith), this 2008 chair is one of the most beautiful, elegant, and comfortable pieces of modern design ever created. It lights up a room like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (or in anything else, for that matter). There’s a matching ottoman, too—and it also comes as a two- and three-seater (although, I guess by that point you would have to call it a sofa or a settee). Again, the price is equivalent to a grand piano, and they’re made with about the same serious level of detailed craftsmanship). Recommended retail is around 4,100 pounds sterling (that’s in the neighborhood of $6,500). But couldn’t you just read forever in one of these pulled up to a fire? If James Bond was reading by a fire, you can bet your life he’d be sitting in a Tom Dixon chair!

And if none of these chairs is your cup of tea, then consider marrying royalty. Those people have their own thrones!

Click here to see last week's picks.

Michael Lassell,
Features Director, Metropolitan Home