hairpin turns.

hairpin turns.

the first time hairpin legs were used on furniture was in 1941 as part of a Russel Wright American-Way collection. invented by Henry P. Glass, Hairpin legs were a war-time invention — their design limited the amount of material needed while keeping the strength of traditional legs — truly a form meets function story. almost 75 years later, i’m still a big fan of the hairpin leg. there’s something sort of whimsical about them, while still remaining sleek and modern looking — like something we might find in the jetson’s home. these days you can even order hairpin legs individually in online shops and even etsy, and swap out boring legs on your furniture, or DIY something of your very own — add hairpin legs to a pretty slab of wood, and boom! a table is born.

mid-century inspired hairpin tables from

wirely home.

hairpin dining table, via milk magazine.

one big hairpin leg max wood bookshelf from urban outfitters.

carroll garden’s handmade DIY coffee table, via design*sponge.

courtney klein’s DIY dining table with a modern hairpin, via ann street studio.

hairpin side table, via kimberly rhodes roberts.

woven chatra chair with hairpin legs from urban outfitters.

small hairpin side table, via

voxt.

hairpin stool, via kimberly rhodes roberts.

you can find all kinds of makers on etsy who are creating reproduction vintage furniture with hairpin legs, like this tv stand from

biggs and quail.

urban outfitter’s reproduction hairpin coffee table with ‘gallery’ top.

Original article and pictures take www.sfgirlbybay.com site