1st class, first office chair: Zoe tests the Open Art Junior from Topstar
3.10.2025
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Patrick Vogt
The Open Art Junior from Topstar is our daughter's first desk chair. She has recently started doing her homework on it. It only just missed out on top marks in the test.
Zack, and she's already a first-grader! And yet I've only just given my daughter her bottle ... How quickly time flies. Zoe grows and grows, both physically and in terms of her character, and her needs change. On the other hand, external demands on her are slowly but surely increasing. And so, after two years of kindergarten, she is now at school.
From Tripp Trapp to the office chair
The new stage of life is also reflected in the children's room. During the summer holidays, one or two toy boxes had to make way for a «» workstation. Zoe doesn't just do her homework at her new desk, it's also her creative zone for painting and crafting. Of course, this also requires the right chair, which we found in the Open Art Junior from Topstar. It's available in a wide range of colours, wir haben uns Zoe chose pink.
The (child's play) assembly
I and my two left hands would prefer the office chair to be delivered to us ready to use. Of course that's not the case, it would be too nice. I fear the worst when I open the parcel. And am immediately relieved. The contents look pretty neat and easy to assemble: Seat, backrest and connecting piece, screws and the appropriate Allen key, base cross and floor castors - everything I need is included.
The impression is not misleading, the assembly is really a piece of cake. I almost have some fun with it. What needs to be done is actually self-explanatory. Nevertheless, I take the easy-to-understand instructions to hand, I don't want to do anything wrong. And so after just under a quarter of an hour, Zoe's office chair is ready for use. Bob the Builder would probably have done the whole thing in five minutes. I'm real for that.
The fine tuning
Now Zoe can try out the Open Art Junior. We adjust it so that it's right for her, she can work well at her desk and sits as back-friendly as possible. We have various adjustment options available for this purpose.
The backrest is height and depth adjustable. If I want to change the depth, I have to reach for the Allen key. I simply adjust the height of the backrest using the quick-release fastener on the back. Zoe changes the seat height herself using the tried-and-tested lever under the seat.
Sounds like an office chair standard and it is - in the best sense of the word. Zoe sits well and is happy; we have nothing to complain about.
They see me rollin' - not!
With all my satisfaction and happiness, I still have one criticism. Topstar supplies the Open Art Junior with carpet castors as standard. This means that Zoe doesn't stand a chance on the laminate floor in her room: as much as she wants to, the castors don't roll. Perhaps more weight would help, because it works for me. According to the manufacturer, Zoe's office chair is tested for up to 60 kilograms, which is why I sat on it very carefully and not with my full weight.
I could also fit hard floor castors, which I would have to buy separately. Which - as you can see from the subjunctive mood - hasn't happened yet. Because maybe it's not a bad thing at the moment that Zoe can't roll around in her office chair.
Nevertheless, somehow I have the feeling that the carpet castors as standard are a bit out of date. If I were Topstar, I would consider switching to hard floor castors. Just sayin'.
In a nutshell
Simple, solid, practical, good
The Open Art Junior from Topstar has proved its worth in the first few weeks of Zoe's school day and there is no sign of this changing any time soon. It does absolutely what it is supposed to do and fulfils its purpose completely. And it may continue to do so for a few more years, as the office chair grows with the child thanks to its adjustment options. According to the product data sheet, it is suitable up to a height of 1.59 metres and a weight of 60 kilograms. The material used also promises durability: with a Martindale value of 90 000, it is extremely abrasion-resistant and has above-average resilience. For frequent private use, 25 000 to 30 000 Martindale is generally recommended.
Zoe likes the fact that the Open Art Junior is available in pink, I like the wide range of colours; there's something for everyone. As someone who is affected, I would also like to emphasise once again that it should be easy even for parents with no manual skills to assemble the office chair. It's practically child's play. If it weren't for the cumbersome standard castors, I would give it five stars. There's still a bit of room for improvement. I'm winking at you right now, Topstar, can you see that?
Pro
- Very quick and easy installation
- comes in many colours
- Ensures an ergonomic fit
- Various adjustment options
- Comfortable seat
- Resilient and durable
Contra
- Carpet castors supplied roll poorly on hard floors (especially with children's weight)
- Hard floor castors must be ordered separately (should be standard in my opinion)
Header image: Patrick Vogt
I'm a full-blooded dad and husband, part-time nerd and chicken farmer, cat tamer and animal lover. I would like to know everything and yet I know nothing. I know even less, but I learn something new every day. What I am good at is dealing with words, spoken and written. And I get to prove that here.
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