Ercol Review: Mid-Century Modern, Made in Bucks

Ercol is the furniture you probably sat on in school. But don't hold that against it. In the 1950s and 60s, Ercol defined the "British Modern" look. Light wood (elm and beech), splayed legs, clean lines. Today, vintage Ercol is highly collectible. But the new stuff—still made in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire—is just as good.

The Technique: Steam Bending

Ercol is famous for Steam Bending. They take solid wood, steam it until it is pliable, and bend it into curves. This allows them to make the iconic "Windsor Chair" hoop back from a single piece of wood. It is incredibly strong because the grain flows around the curve (unlike cutting a curve from a block, which cuts across the grain).

The Originals

The Ercol Originals collection is the reissue of the 1950s classics. The Loveseat (a two-seater bench) and the Butterfly Chair are design icons. They fit perfectly in modern, minimalist homes.

The Verdict

Ercol is not cheap (a chair is £600). But it is solid wood. Modern furniture is often veneer over MDF. It chips and dies. Ercol can be sanded down and refinished in 50 years. It is "Furniture for Life."

Pros:

Timeless Mid-Century design.
Steam bent strength.
Sustainable British manufacturing (using FSC timber).

Cons:

Light wood (Beech/Elm) shows marks.
10-12 week lead times (made to order).