Jane Fonda Perfected a 19th-Century Austrian Design Innovation to Make Her Historic Living Room Feel Artfully Sculptural
Jane relied on Michael Thonet’s iconic steam-bent woodwork to bring fluid movement and dramatic silhouettes to her space
Midcentury-modern design may today be shorthand for elevated taste, but Jane Fonda proved in 1960 that looking even further back yields the ultimate timeless statement.
In a portrait taken around 1960 inside her New York City apartment, Jane was photographed studying scripts for her Broadway debut. Crucially, she was framed by the silhouette of an iconic Thonet Model No. 1 bentwood rocking chair, which is currently listed for sale at 1stDibs.
Originally designed by Michael Thonet in Austria during the 1860s, the chair was a triumph of 19th-century manufacturing. It's defined by its fluid steam-bent beechwood frame and airy hand-woven cane backrest.
In Jane's Manhattan living room, the piece introduced a particular rhythm to her reading nook, proving how a kinetic furniture design can elevate a space without overwhelming it.
It is precisely this sense of dynamism that gives the silhouette its enduring appeal in modern homes, as designers explain below.
Shop the Jane Fonda-Inspired Look
Steeped in Viennese design history, this chair is the ultimate study in fluid, architectural curves. Originally introduced by Michael Thonet in the late 19th century, the design graced Jane Fonda's living room – serving (as we see) as her script-reading seat.
While Jane's classic Thonet rocker relied on woven cane, this modern iteration swaps it for thick, ergonomic cushions upholstered in a brown cotton-linen blend. However, it perfectly preserves that crucial 'artfully sculptural' silhouette that makes her piece so beautiful.
Floral curtains frame the background of Jane's space, adding a layer of vintage pattern and texture to her room. It’s a classic mid-century decorating touch: Pairing structured furniture with softer textiles to prevent everything from feeling too rigid.
To translate Jane's cozy reading setup to a patio, woven wicker offers a natural alternative. The rocking chair's popularity in 18th-century America was tied to porch culture, making all-weather wicker a seamless evolution for bringing that silhouette outdoors.
Just as Jane's chair relied on fluid wooden lines and open texture to keep a room feeling airy rather than cluttered, this chair uses a solid eucalyptus frame paired with reinforced nautical-grade rope across the seat and back. It's a beautiful alternative.
For an accessible way to capture the look, this white wooden rocking chair translates iconic rocking-chair heritage into a durable centerpiece that will look just as lovely outdoors. With this piece, it's hard to go wrong.
'Rocking chairs introduce movement into a room in an interesting way that I don't think any other piece of furniture can achieve,' says Blanca Sanchez, Director at Halo Design Interiors. 'They have a natural sense of motion and make your space feel immediately calmer and more inviting.'
Rather than falling victim to passing design fads, the form continues to adapt across drastically different interior styles. 'That novelty is why rocking chairs haven't ever really completely disappeared from interiors despite all the changing trends,' Blanca notes.
'They've adapted to different styles rather than being tied to one particular era, and you'll find traditional wooden designs in country homes, streamlined versions in contemporary spaces and upholstered styles in everything from reading nooks to bedrooms. They aren't defined by a single trend because they're valued for how they make a room feel as much as how they look.'
When incorporating a rocking chair into a modern living room, thoughtful spatial placement allows the piece to function as an intentional design feature. 'Instead of pushing it into a corner where it becomes an afterthought, give it enough space to stand out and make it feel intentional,' Blanca advises.
'My favorite place for a rocking chair is beside a window where it can become a nice spot to read or have a coffee. Then keep the styling simple so the chair can stay as the focal point. A soft throw draped over the back and a single cushion are usually all that's needed to make it feel warm and welcoming without adding clutter.'
If you're looking for an accent chair idea that will look just as beautiful in another 60 years, this is the piece for you.
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