Moooi O. Chair

The Moooi O. Chair is Marcel Wanders taking the concept of a rocking chair and turning it into this giant circular sculpture you can actually sit in. Designed in 2016, it's literally shaped like the letter "O" - about as wide and tall as a person - and rocks back and forth when you settle into it. Wanders calls it "more than a seater, yet not really a rocking chair," which is accurate because it doesn't look anything like traditional rockers with their runners and curved backs. The whole thing is cushioned all the way around in matching upholstery, so wherever you lean or rest your arms, you're hitting soft padding instead of hard edges. The construction uses PE and high-resilience foam wrapped in fabric, and the upholstered versions come in Kvadrat Divina fabrics that give you various color options while maintaining that premium textile quality. What's playful about the design is how it invites you to tuck yourself into this rounded body and let the rhythmic rocking movement do its thing.

The O. Chair handles its dual identity - part sculpture, part functional seating - better than most statement pieces that prioritize looks over usability. The rocking motion is gentle rather than that aggressive back-and-forth some rockers force on you, and the circular shape means you can shift positions or curl up differently without fighting against a rigid seat structure. The all-around cushioning matters more than it sounds like it would - you can lean sideways, rest your head back, or prop your feet up on the inner curve without hitting uncomfortable spots. The size accommodates different body types without feeling cramped, though it does take up significant floor space so you need room for both the chair itself and its rocking radius. What becomes obvious after using it is how the round shape creates this cocooning effect that makes you want to stay put longer than you planned. The upholstery holds up to regular use without showing wear patterns as quickly as flat seating surfaces, and the foam maintains its shape instead of developing permanent body impressions after a few months.

Moooi's been Marcel Wanders' creative home since he co-founded it with Casper Vissers in 2001, and the O. Chair reflects his philosophy about design needing to "create an environment of love" and "make our most exciting dreams come true" - which sounds over-the-top but explains why he makes furniture shaped like giant letters. Wanders became internationally known for his Knotted Chair in the '90s and has built a career on designs that blend whimsy with function, serving as both Moooi's co-founder and creative director. His approach tends toward the theatrical and playful rather than minimalist restraint, which shows in how the O. Chair is unapologetically a conversation piece that also happens to be comfortable. Made in the Netherlands with Dutch manufacturing quality, so you're getting proper construction instead of novelty furniture that falls apart after novelty wears off. The design has become one of Moooi's iconic pieces because it solves the problem of wanting seating that feels special and experiential rather than just practical.