BETTER THAN THONET?

I've been on the hunt for some casual dining chairs for a client of mine, and I keep returning to the classic Thonet bentwood style.

I love them all lacquered up and shiny, and their shape is perfection... unless of course you're worried about little squirmy kiddos slipping through the open design. Which, in fact, we are. The solution?

Well, it just might be these - the new Henri dining char at Anthropologie. I don't love the design as much, but they're still pretty darn good. And I do love the option of that deep navy blue instead of black! What do you think of them? Any other suggestions from my design friends out there?

*black and white chairs from crate&barrel, green thonet chair at dwr

HUNTING: WINGBACK DINING CHAIRS

I've been working with a client to create a lovely dining room featuring light woods and an indoor/outdoor feel - ironically it's a very on-trend moment (every showroom at High Point had their version of this 'Restoration Hardware'look') featuring some very classic pieces. Which is why I'm obsessed with bringing in a pair of wingback dining chairs...

There's something so sweet in these petite versions of the traditional wingback chairs. And, I love that you can easily pull them into the living room for extra seating too.

Here are a few options I've hunted down so far. A gorgeous piece from Aiden Gray at Layla Grayce comes in at $840 (a little on the high end!). On the opposite spectrum, a seriously affordable style at (gasp!) Sears for only $230. Not a huge fan of the legs on this one, but nothing a little 'customization' can't fix! Just below, a modern wingback at SOM is surely unique, but way above budget at $2,650 for a pair. And finally we have some pretty little lines at this chair from Hooker - on sale at $650 each. (Do we have a winner?)

Which would you go with??

*top image via creamylife

RAINBOW ROUND THE TABLE...

In the latest decision concerning my next living space... I've decided that I absolutely must have colorful dining room chairs...

For a girl who can be a little shy of commitment, I think this is just enough of a pop of color that I won't regret saying "I do." And it adds so much fun to the space! Now the question remains... what color? I did a little dream browsing at 1st dibs last night to consider my options...


I'm pretty sure the yellow are my favorite... but the style of the purple are so glam... and we all know I'm a green girl... Funny how I could design so many types of rooms around these chairs, and yet I'm drawn to each of them for different reasons. What are your faves?? What color would you go with?

*rooms via (clockwise from left): william waldron, mwm, mikkel vang for aussie vogue living, jamie drake, kristin ewart for domino, and elle decor  chairs all via 1st dibs: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple

HAVE A (SWEET LITTLE) SEAT

I finally had some time to do some bloghopping over the holiday and came across these two office spaces...


Both featuring this fabulous little chair!! While I'm sure it costs an arm and a leg (and doesn't look all to comfy either) I'm scheming of DIY versions in my head using a more semi-affordable version that would likely live at my vanity. I think I have my first New Year's project start the list!

*images via french by design (a new favorite!) and the city sage

LITTLE RED CHAIRS

Love...

And adore...


*limited edition print by cartlolese letterpress (sold out) and image via decorpad

GLOBAL STYLE: LE DOME CHAIR

Love it or hate it there's no ignoring the dome chair's presence, both in a room and on the design scene. Cristina from Fuji Files here with some Global Style dating back to 18th century France. This chair is a reproduction of a French regency period chair and its dramatic dome and deep wings exude major drama and intrigue.

Chairs like this were stationed at the entrance of grand French chateaus for the porter to be seated in when admitting visitors. The canopy and deep wings were intended to block drafts. Now I don't know about you but that short history alone has my imagination running wild envisioning my own French chateau, complete with porters and such.

Even if this look is not your cup of tea (I admit they are not suited to most families' living rooms), I think we can all appreciate a piece of furniture that commands such a glamorous statement.

Design greats such as Kelly Wearstler and Ryan Korban have used them to great effect in rich hues, but the linen version below (for sale at Restoration Hardware) could be an understated option for the home that evokes its original classic lineage.

What do you think? Would you? Could you? Have you?

*images via kwid, ryankorban, restoration hardware

HELLO GORGEOUS...

I thought we should start this week off with something beautiful...

I'm in love with this chair. LOVE. I have absolutely no place in my home (or budget) for it, but that's never stopped me before... If one of you don't beat me to it first!

*chair recovered on etsy

Every Queen Needs Her Throne...

I promised more highlights from High Point, so I finally pulled my photos together to separate them out an discovered that I am apparently addicted to chairs at the moment (yes, you can add these all to the birthday wishlist)...
My living room could use a lovely little side chair. Something a bit more petite, but that still makes a statement. This gorgeous classic piece by Alexa Hampton for Hickory Chair would be an amazing option... I especially loved the detail in the back. And, because they'll do just about any fabric and any finish at HC, I'd get it done in a rich velvety signature green. YUM.
Of course, since many queens also have to think about their kings, perhaps I'd go with something to appease both of us. The chair on the left from Pearson is a perfect example - the tweed fabric and dark finish appeal to the other sex while the beautiful lines and smaller size appeal to moi. I also adored the lines of the chair on the right (also part of Alexa Hampton's collection for Hickory Chair). The way the wood curves through the side and back is nothing short of amazing. As Alexa informed us, it took many trials to get it just right - I'd say they aced it! (PS - I'll also take the bench just as it is, please!)
However, out of all the chairs in the showrooms, this little slipper chair by the adorable and gracious Suzanne Kasler (again for Hickory Chair) stole all of our hearts. And, since I've just added a bit of orange to my living room, this would be perfection. In a warm orange leather, it's the ideal throne for any lady to perch on. As we like to say around here - yes, please and thank you!

Which one would you take?

Style (E)scapes: Take A Seat

Aside from landscaping (at which I'm no expert) selecting the right furniture is probably the biggest decision when designing your outdoor space. You want it to be functional, comfortable, stylish and able to stand up to whatever weather it may encounter. With so many possible directions to go in (bohemian, modern, retro, classic....) the task can be quite overwhelming, as I've discovered! So, here are just a few of my current favorites and sources that I hope will help you on your way...
No matter what your space looks like on the inside, the outdoors is a chance to mix things up a bit! Choose some more funky pieces that pop like this pod stool, or cutout bench. Even without color, unique textures like this modern take on a woven chair can inject a dose of originality.

There's no better place to go natural than the outdoors, and these pieces offer alternatives to traditional wicker or wood chairs. The wood chair's open weave and rounded corners soften a modern shape, while the egg chair lends a whimsical retro style. Prefer your natural textures in small doses? A rattan pouf will do the trick nicely and can double as an ottoman or side table!
Forget red-hot. Orange is the color of the season this year! Whether it's in a simple frame like the Missoni lounger, a classic Marais, or a simple modern chair it's the perfect pop to add to your garden setting - especially in these metal options!
If your in it for the long haul with your patio, then it's never a bad idea to invest in more traditional pieces. The Hampstead Hill collection at Smith & Hawken (a fabulous outdoor resource!) offers this preppy take on a lattice design - a pattern that has been making quite the comeback recently. Teak is always a fabulous choice for the outdoors, and searching online can help you find more affordable alternatives like the St. Tropez chair. For modern lines, West Elm always provides an excellent selection of options for outdoor pieces as well!

A few other sites to browse? Try Curran for one of the most comprehensive selections out there, as well as Brown Jordan. Don't forget about places like Pier 1 and Cost Plus as well! Happy patioscaping!

Finding A New Purpose: The Chair

One of the hardest parts of moving is finding a new place for all your little things that already had a place and a purpose. For me, it will be finding a new use for my current desk chair (being replaced by a much more practical and comfy one!)
Perhaps I will use it to stash magazines and my purse near the entryway? Or to lay out my dresses in the bedroom?
Piled high with books in the living room? Or maybe holding my abundance of throw pillows?
Better still, maybe it will hold my many piles of fabrics and trims for my current interior projects... or serve as a the perfect place for a serving tray? I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

*images via richard powers, lisa cohen, jane roarty, antony todd, and amanda nisbet

Feel The Love

This might be the cutest chair ever.

How fun would it be to have heart button tufting in more pieces? I would love to some red hearts on an all-white headboard... oh, this has me dreaming!

*by deadgood, via design*sponge

I Love...

This pair of reupholstered vintage chairs from Spruce Home...

I've been stalking them on Etsy for months now, and I can't believe they're still there... maybe it's a sign that it's about time I added a little purple to my decor?

I'm also lusting for this bench...

So many pretties. So little space. What's a girl to do?!

Corner Of My Heart

In the corner of my heart is a place for corner chairs. Totally nonfunctional, uncomfortable, fabulous corner chairs. So I give you these...

Because if you're going to be a corner chair, you should be beautiful. You should be made from vintage boucle fabric and Brazilian hardwood. And you should be at once solid and light as a feather and remind me of California living and mid-century modernism.

Most of all, you should be mine, all mine, so I can fill that empty little corner of my bedroom and pile all my beautiful clothes on you when I have one of those days where my very full closet feels incredibly empty because I have 'nothing' to wear. Pretty please?