So many chairs, so little time. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the most notable chair designs in history and explore why these beautiful pieces of furniture still grace many homes today. In this retrospective of iconic seats that date from the 18th century to today, we’re struck by the simple fact that even though the fashions of the time have gone way out of style (like corsets and powdered wigs, thank goodness), these chairs have eternal staying power. In studying these designs you might notice another theme - chair design has evolved from ornately carved styles, swinging radically to ultra- clean-lined and sleek, then departing toward the fabulous, artful mix of ornate and mod that you see in today's classics. Herewith, a history of chairs.