CasaSugar

Love It or Hate It? Fin Armchair

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:00:14 -0700

The Fin Armchair ($7,000) by Tshuka is upholstered and tufted in velvet and adorned with aqua and green feathers on a walnut frame. Meticulously made by hand, it's available in a range of colors. While I appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into an extravagant piece like this, I think it's too eccentric and frou-frou for my home. What do you think?

Found It! Boldly Patterned Chair

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:02 -0700

Cruising through the portfolio of French photographer Pierre-Jean Verger, I stopped dead in my tracks at the sight of this living room. Stunning architectural details (mantel, moldings) such as these are a perk of many French homes and add instant elegance. But sometimes these features will make a room look more formal than it's meant to be. So, I was impressed with how this room looks simultaneously luxurious and casual. The large, clean-lined, contemporary sofa helps combat the chichi of pricey accessories and art, and the low coffee table, albeit a work of art, makes the room all the more relaxed.
Beyond that, I was drawn to the boldly patterned, chrome frame armchair in the corner, whose palette cues perfectly to that of the massive painting over the mantel. I'd actually come across it before. Where had I seen it? Find out when you read more.

It's the Paulistano Chair ($1,500) by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, upholstered in irresistible Missoni fabric, and I've featured it before as a Crave Worthy.

Love It or Hate It? Cane Chair Screenprinting

CasaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:00:21 -0700

I recently caught up with Danny Seo for breakfast at the Philippe Starck-designed Clift Hotel in San Francisco, and couldn't help but stop to take a gander at all of its surrealist furnishings while I was there. This cantaloupe-colored armchair, which is screenprinted with an image of cane chair, struck me as something that'd be easy to replicate - if you've got drawing and printing skills up your sleeve. It has a tongue-in-cheek trompe-l'œil effect, elevating a simple seat to something out of the ordinary. The Ikea Ektorp Jennylund Chair ($199) would be ideal for this DIY. What do you think?

5 Unexpected Armchair and Ottoman Pairs

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:00:44 -0800

Anyone with cash to spend can walk into Design Within Reach, Room and Board, or some other fabulous store and buy a matching armchair and ottoman. But where's the fun in that? Like mix-and-match fashion, you can create far more surprises when you pair unlikely pieces. Even more daring: matching modern design with traditional styles.

For instance, rather than buy the footstool that goes with this Room and Board Astoria Chair ($500), why not put your feet up on the Anthropology Noctua Ottoman ($600) instead? Or, pair a Crate and Barrel lounger with a flea market ottoman. I've got plenty of modern/traditional chair and ottoman pairings, so to see them, read more.

How-To: Take Advantage of a Corner Space

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:45:59 -0700

Currently, this is my favorite spot in my house. However, before I moved this chair into the corner, our giant television, which sat on an equally imposing Tansu chest, took up this entire area, and basically obscured the window. These tall, thin windows, which flank either side of our fireplace, are a lovely architectural feature, and I was, frankly, horrified that they'd been covered up by a television.

However, my husband was adamant that the television belonged in the living room. That is, he was adamant on this point until he came home one evening to find that the television had magically moved to the study. And guess what? Now he's adamant that the study is the best home for the television. While I don't advocate secret rearrangements, I do feel that if you're convinced of the advantages of your vision for the space, sometimes it's worth a mini battle (especially if you're certain of the outcome, as I was). With that in mind, I wanted to outline some ideas for taking advantage of a room's corner space. To see some of my thoughts, read more.

Decide what you want to use the corner space for. Storage? A reading nook? A mini art gallery? After you've decided what purpose the space will serve, make a list of what items will help the corner to reach its decorating potential.
According to feng shui, the Chinese art of arranging objects, furniture, and homes to create the best flow of energy, corners are said to create "secret arrows," which can cause anxiousness. Whether or not you believe in feng shui, corners can be rather harsh points in a room, and it's best to soften them. One easy way to do so is with plants, which I've done in my reading corner.
When using plants, use plant stands to create varying heights for the foliage.
If you're interested in using your corner to display objects, such as a dish collection, small art objects, or photos, invest in a corner shelf unit. I'm definitely a fan of the Harmony Media Unit, which provides media storage as well as a place for either displaying mementos or placing your flatscreen.
Another option is to use this area for seating. The Mellow Corner Sectional from CB2 is a great, affordable option.
Further soften your corner with textiles. My modern-looking armchair looked too staid and stuffy, in my opinion. By draping a vintage patchwork quilt over the back, it encourages residents to curl up with a good book, and tuck their legs under the colorful quilt.
Give it some light. If you're displaying art, or using this corner for a reading nook, make sure that you have a lamp to cast some light on the subject.

Crave Worthy: Cherner Armchair

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:00:31 -0700

Designed in 1958 by Norman Cherner, the Cherner Armchair ($949) has a dramatic and elegant sloping shape, achieved by molding plywood, that sweeps me off my feet, literally and figuratively. Made of solid beech, it's built to last. This particular chair is a reproduction of the 1958 design, manufactured to the exact original specs by Cherner Chair, a company run by Norman Cherner's sons. Some of you purists might demand the 1958 original, if you're to shell out nearly a grand on a chair, but to me it's of no consequence . . . so long as I can share a lifetime with one of my many true loves. Everlasting love. Sigh.

Ask Casa: A Peculiar Armchair Question

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:15:38 -0700

Hey Casa,
I'm wondering if you can help me with a peculiar armchair question. I've been looking for a picture or the name of a certain French/ Parisian upholstered armchair that is quite iconic. It is quite similar in design to this chair shown here (at least, the arm rests are). I've always seen the chair upholstered in white with black detailing. It's very elegant, and I'm pretty sure it's originally French. I hope my description isn't too obscure! Thank you!
SundayGreen

To see my response, read more.

Hi SundayGreen,
Peculiar armchair questions are my favorites!

The chair (I think) you're referring to is called a "bergère," which translates to "sheperdess." It is an enclosed, upholstered French armchair with an upholstered back and sides, often sloping armrests, and a loose, but tailored, seat cushion. In its traditional form, the wood framing is exposed and has fine carving and painted detailing, and sometimes padded elbowrests. What classifies a chair as a bergère is the closed area between the arms and the seat, which make it ideal for lounging in comfort. If it has a concave back, rather than a flat back, it is known as a "bergère en cabriolet." The chair first appeared between 1715 and 1723 in Paris, and was made for Marie Antoinette in the late 1700s.

Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Casa

Source, Source, and Source

Less or More: Louis-Style Emeco Chairs

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:00:18 -0700

For the next installment of this game, take a look at each of these Louis-style Emeco chairs and see if you can answer my questions about them.

Take the quiz

Found It! Blue Velvet Armchair

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:00:56 -0700

Reading sfgirlbybay's "Unexpected Guests" column, where she offered a peek into the beautiful home of San Francisco artist Jinnie Lee, Lee's blue velvet armchair caught my eye — and not just because it's gorgeous. If you're a loyal Casa reader, it may look familiar to you, too. To hear where it's from, read more. The chair is the Room and Board Quinn Chair ($749), which I recently featured as a Crave Worthy. If possible, it looks more beautiful unstaged in a real home. My heart aches.
Source

Crave Worthy: Anthropologie Lady Chair

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:30:40 -0700

Scallops? Rivets? Anthropologie is right on for saying their Lady Chair ($1,498) reminds them of a French Madeleine cookie. All sweets aside, the chair looks très comfortable, and that's what's most important when I sit down to read Victor Hugo or watch Jean-Paul Belmondo on screen. The shell shape of the chair (and Madeleines) would be quite appropriate for the beach, perhaps along with some trendy natural curiosities, but I'd plop this natural linen chair down anywhere in the house. Do you love it?