The Sederica D244 high back PU plywood swivel office chair in black pairs a dark, easy-wipe PU leather cushion with a moulded walnut veneer shell that wraps the back and sides. From the front it reads as a calm black executive chair. Walk round it and the walnut takes over, curving from the headrest down beneath the seat.
We made this version for desks where the chair is seen as much as it is used. That means home studies, open-plan living rooms and small client-facing offices.
PU Leather and Walnut Plywood: How Our D244 Is Made
Our shell is moulded plywood faced with walnut veneer. It is pressed into one continuous curve rather than assembled from flat panels. That curve gives the chair its sculpted side profile and keeps the back stiff without a bulky frame.
The walnut grain is figured, so no two shells show quite the same pattern. Inside the shell sits a black PU leather cushion over fire-retardant high-resilience foam. This type of foam springs back quickly when you stand up, which helps the seat hold its shape through daily use.
The upholstery is split into stitched panels. There is a separate headrest section at the top, a lumbar zone at the base of the back, and a seat that flows forward in one piece. Underneath, a five-star chrome aluminium base on castors carries the gas lift and recline mechanism. The chair is rated to 150 kg.
Where the D244 Plywood Shell Comes From
The D244 is not a reissue of a named Eames model. It is our own executive chair, drawn from the moulded plywood language Charles and Ray Eames developed in the 1940s. In 1942 they took on a US Navy contract for lightweight plywood leg splints, pressing thin veneers in a homemade rig they called the Kazam! machine.
One of those splints is held in the V&A collection. That wartime work showed them how far layered wood could bend to follow the body, and it fed straight into their later chairs.
Our shell applies the same principle at executive-chair scale: layered veneer pressed into a body-following curve. You can read more about the designers on our Charles and Ray Eames page.
Why Choose the Black and Walnut D244
We think black is the most practical colour for a chair you work in every day. It hides the faint dye transfer that dark jeans leave on lighter upholstery. Small scuffs from bags and belts are also much harder to spot.
Against the walnut, black gives the sharpest contrast in the range. The shell looks warmer, and the chair’s outline stands out clearly against a pale wall. It sits well with dark or oak-toned desks, black monitor setups and rooms painted charcoal, white or deep green.
If your room already leans warm, with rust, terracotta or cognac pieces, the tan brown D244 will blend in more quietly. One honest trade-off: black shows dust and pet hair sooner, so a quick wipe becomes part of the routine.
Comfort and Adjustment on a High Back Plywood Executive Chair
At 112 cm tall, the back supports your shoulders and head when you lean back between tasks. The built-in lumbar zone sits where your lower spine meets the seat, so you get support without adjusting anything.
The gas lift raises and lowers the seat to match your desk. The recline locks at three levels: upright for typing, a middle setting for calls and reading, and a deeper angle for a proper pause. The 360-degree swivel lets you turn to a shelf or a second screen without getting up.
Who Our D244 Suits, and When to Choose Another Chair
The D244 suits you if you work from a home study or a living-room desk and want a chair that looks like furniture rather than office equipment. It also works well in a meeting room or at a reception desk, where visitors see the walnut back first.
It is an armless chair. That lets it slide fully under a desk and keeps the side view clean. However, you may prefer a different chair if you rest your forearms while typing. The same applies if you sit for very long stretches and want adjustable lumbar, armrests and seat depth. In either case, a model from our Eames-style office chair collection with armrests is the better fit.
PU leather also breathes less than hide leather, so it can feel warmer in a hot room during summer.
Fitting the D244 to Your Desk
Check two things before ordering. The chair is 68.5 cm at its widest, so measure the gap between your desk legs or drawer pedestals if you want to push it fully under.
The 44 cm seat height pairs well with standard desks of around 72–75 cm, and the gas lift lets you fine-tune from there. On softer wooden floors such as pine or oiled oak, a clear chair mat protects the boards from rolling wear.
| FEATURE | CHAIR |
|---|---|
| Chair width | 68.5 cm |
| Chair depth | 55 cm |
| Chair height (adjustable) | 112 cm |
| Seat height (adjustable) | 44 cm |
Caring for Black PU Leather and Walnut Veneer
Wipe the PU with a soft cloth dampened in water and a drop of mild soap, then dry it straight away. Avoid alcohol wipes and solvent cleaners, which can dull the surface. PU needs no conditioner, and oil-based leather products can leave a sticky film.
Dust the walnut shell with a dry microfibre cloth. Keep the chair out of long periods of direct sun, which slowly lightens walnut. A few times a year, pull hair and fluff from the castors so they keep rolling smoothly.
Sederica furniture is an independent reproduction of mid-century design. See our Legal Disclaimer for terms.
D244 Plywood Swivel Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
Does the D244 office chair have armrests?
No, the D244 is an armless chair. Without arms it slides fully under most desks, sits closer to the desktop and keeps the walnut side profile uninterrupted. If you like to rest your forearms while typing or reading, choose one of the armed models in our Eames-style office chair collection instead.
Is the D244 upholstered in real leather?
No, the cushion is black PU leather, a polyurethane-coated fabric. We chose PU because it holds an even black colour, wipes clean with a damp cloth and needs no conditioning. The shell is real walnut veneer over moulded plywood, so the wood you see and touch is genuine timber.
Is the D244 an Eames chair?
No. The D244 is our own design, a modern executive chair that borrows the moulded plywood shell Charles and Ray Eames pioneered in the 1940s. It is sold as an independent reproduction inspired by that mid-century approach. It is not connected to any licensed manufacturer of Eames furniture.
Is the D244 comfortable for long working days?
For a standard working day with regular breaks, yes. The high-resilience foam, built-in lumbar zone and three recline positions keep you supported between focused work and calls. The lumbar is fixed rather than adjustable, though. For very long daily sessions, a fully adjustable task chair gives more fine control.
Should I choose the black or the tan brown D244?
Choose black if you want strong contrast against the walnut, a chair that hides denim marks and scuffs, and a fit with dark desks or black tech. The tan brown version suits warmer rooms full of natural wood and earthy colours. Both share the same shell, base and adjustments.
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