The story behind Eero Saarinen's classic 1948 Model 70 Womb design is simple: Florence Knoll wanted a chair that felt like "basket full of pillows." While most might immediately think of fluffiness and volume, the Finnish-American furniture designer (and architect behind the architectural marvel that is the TWA Flight Terminal at JFK Airport) had a sleek and suggestive style. Saarinen created a shell shape that allowed for multiple, relaxed sitting positions, and meant that curled up comfort could be achieved without tons of cushioning--making overstuffed armchairs look clumsy and bulky in comparison.
Eero Saarinen's Two-Seater: the Womb Settee