Chair du jour

Chair #365

2009-12-31T06:00:00.009-05:00

CANTILEVER (CHAMPAGNE CORK) CHAIR
—Adam Weisgerber

POP! Well, it's Near Years Eve, and that that means that with this Chair du Jour post I'll have successfully completed my goal of painting 365 chairs! They rock, swivel, swing, recline, glide, or just sit there lookin' good. Hope you've enjoyed the ride as much as I have.

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I think this cork chair is the perfect one to end the year with because who doesn't love champagne, dahhling?! And a miniature chair design contest involving a bourgeoisie item like champagne is irresistible, oui, n'est pas? This year Design Within Reach (DWR) sponsored its 4th annual champagne chair contest, and one particular DWR store had a champagne fueled reception sponsored by Veuve Clicquot for this year's top contestants. Of course you know Veuve Clicquot, that's the wicked good stuff with the orange label, and my favorite, wink wink, if you're ever a guest of mine. I'll bet you a bottle that you've taken the cork, the cap, and that little wire doo-hickey thing that holds all that bubble combustion in, and created something or other with it whilst the bubbly was being consumed. But these imbibing designers put our cork and wire doodles to shame. They were brilliantly inspired, and who wouldn't be by all those delicious, golden bubbles? The rules were simple and the results extraordinary—you've gotta Google it to see all the results for yourself.

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Veuve Clicquot Champagne History

When her husband died prematurely, a young Madame Clicquot decided to take up the reins of the champagne estate he began. Veuve means widow in French, and the widow Clicquot is who we can thank for giving us such sublime bubbliciosity with her Veuve Clicquot champagne. Known as the Grande Dame de la Champagne, the widow Clicquot's spirit is in every bottle of champagne sold by Veuve Clicquot, reigning over an empire of bubbles. In July 2008 the oldest unopened bottle of Veuve Clicquot was discovered inside a sideboard in Torosay Castle, Isle of Mull, Scotland. The 1893 bottle was in mint condition, having been kept in the dark. It is now on display at the Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin visitor centre in Reims, France and is regarded as priceless. Oooh la laaa!

Chair #364

2009-12-30T05:58:00.003-05:00

ZIG ZAG CHAIR

—Designed by Michael Malmborg

We have another zig zag chair on this blog (See March 9, chair #68). From the LXE website: This unique chair has no beginning and no end. The design concept is the same as when you write a complete sentence without lifting the pen – in a circle! This serpent inspired lounge chair almost forces the spectator to examine it closely. And despite it’s abstract look, it’s quite comfortable. The strong aluminum alloy frame and a thick layer of supporting foam, it perfectly balances the weight of anyone who dares. Using a new technology (Swiss deep flocking) we spray a soft velvet surface directly on to the foam, leaving the upholstery seamless.

Chair #363

2009-12-29T05:57:00.002-05:00

CELERY CHAIR, with peppers, carrots, & sno pea

—Designed by Craig Nutt

Eat your peas and carrots! On his website Carig Nutt writes: The Celery Chairs have bent celery stalks for back legs with a sno pea as the back rest. The front legs are either peppers or carrots, and the spindles in the back are carrots on the chairs with pepper legs and peppers on the chairs with carrot legs. Eight of these chairs were produced in 1992-93. Six of the eight were painted "natural vegetables" and a pair was produced in naturally finished Swiss pear. The seats are covered in supple leather in either eggplant or squash blossom color. The chairs have been exhibited in numerous museum and gallery exhibitions and featured in publications such as American Craft.

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I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me
are the number of carats in a diamond.

—Mae West (American Actress and sex symbol, 1892-1980)

Chair #362

2009-12-28T06:05:00.002-05:00

AFRO INSPIRED CHAIR

—Designed by Yangsoo Pyo

Korean furniture and lighting designer Yangsoo Pyo has created a series of ‘Afro’ chairs. The ‘Afro’ chairs are made of notebook ‘2 ring springs attached to a steel frame. It employs the image of the unruly, curly afro hairstyle. The metal springs that are taken from 2 ring binders are used to visualize the tangled and puffed up texture of an afro. While the springs create a wonderful visual effect without proper treatment they may make the ‘Afro’ chair an uncomfortable seating option.The chairs come in silver, black and blue versions. The blue stool-like ‘Afro’ chair was inspired by the hairstyle of the Simpsons character Marge Simpson. Doh!

Chair #361

2009-12-27T05:56:00.005-05:00

HOUDINI DINNER CHAIR

—Designed by CtrlZak Design Studio

The CTRLZAK Art & Design Studio, is led by Thanos Zakopoulos & Katia Meneghini. They have a very interesting website and are based in Milan and Greece. How bad can that be?

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Harry Houdini (March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian American magician, escapologist, stunt performer, actor and film producer. He also was a famous skeptic who set out to expose frauds purporting to be supernatural phenomena. Among his stunts, such as being buried underground, or escaping form handcuffs, was one of his most popular publicity stunts... his famous escape from a suspended straitjacket!

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Houdini's suspended straitjacket escape

Houdini was to have himself strapped into a regulation straitjacket and suspended by his ankles from a tall building or crane. Houdini would then make his escape in full view of the assembled crowd. In many cases, Houdini would draw thousands of onlookers who would choke the street and bring city traffic to a halt. Houdini would sometimes ensure press coverage by performing the escape from the office building of a local newspaper. In New York City, Houdini performed the suspended straitjacket escape from a crane being used to build the New York subway. After flinging his body in the air, Houdini escaped from the straitjacket. Starting from when he was hoisted up in the air by the crane, to when the straitjacket was completely off, it took Houdini two minutes and thirty-seven seconds. There is film footage of Houdini performing the escape in The Library of Congress. After being battered against a building in high winds during one escape, Houdini performed the escape with a visible safety wire on his ankle so that he could be pulled away from the building if necessary.

— From Wikipedia

Chair #360

2009-12-26T05:55:00.001-05:00

EXPO MARK II SOUND CHAIR

—Designed by Grant & Mary Featherson

What a great chair and, ahem, conversation piece! Read on and you'll understand my lame joke.

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Expo 67 Montreal was an opportunity to showcase Australian innovation on the world stage and a highlight of the Australian pavilion were 240 original Expo Sound chairs. Robin Boyd, designer of the pavilion's interior and displays, commissioned Melbourne-based contemporary furniture designers Grant and Mary Featherston to develop a 'talking chair' to deliver information about Australia to visitors in seated comfort. The chairs were upholstered in dark green wool with either a green cushion for English audio, or an orange cushion for French audio. Speakers installed in the headrests were activated by the pressure of a person sitting in the chair. An audio system controlled from the basement played three-minute segments of well-known Australians talking about Australia and the exhibits surrounding the visitor. The system, which cost $1 million to produce, was designed so that if an occupant of the chair left in the middle of the tape, it would start again from the beginning when a new occupant sat down. A total of 2000 tapes were made to withstand the wear and tear of being used 12 hours a day, seven days a week for six months. The estimated life of a tape under these conditions was four to six weeks. The National Museum of Australia recently acquired an Expo Mark II sound chair, adapted for the domestic market from the original Expo chair design by Aristoc Industries.

—From the National Museum of Austrailia Website

Chair #359

2009-12-25T05:25:00.002-05:00

CHILD's DRUM CHAIR

—Designer unknown

Circa 1040s. England, this whimsical little drum chair is very fun indeed! And it seems like an appropriate chair for JC's birthday. Merry Christmas everyone!

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Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

Chair #358

2009-12-24T05:54:00.002-05:00

GULLHOLMEN ROCKING CHAIR

—Designer Unknown, Offered through Ikea

Those clever Swedes, this is such a simple design. This minimalist rocking chair is made of renewable banana leaves and rattan woven which has been over a steel base. It is quite comfortable to sit in and massages your pressure points. Which points are those, I wonder? And it's affordable.

Chair #357

2009-12-23T05:53:00.003-05:00

LADY CHAIR

—Designed by Marco Zanuso

This delightful little chair has pink wool upholstery with brass legs. Reminds of that famous cocktail of the 30's, the Pink Lady. It's a fun "girly drink" for sure!

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Pink Lady Cocktail

A pink lady is the classic gin-based cocktail. Egg-whites and cream are mixed together to create a foam that floats on top of the drink to give it a unique texture. The Pink Lady is a classic cocktail that has a light blush color given by the dashes of grenadine—which is a pomegranate syrup. It was one of the first "girly drinks" and a favorite of the high society ladies of the 30's. The key to this drink (and any shaken with egg) is to shake it longer than you would with most cocktails to ensure that everything is mixed well. The egg also makes a great foamy top of the pink liquid, creating an intimate looking finished cocktail.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz gin

3/4 oz applejack (what is that stuff anyhow?)

1/4 oz lemon juice

1-2 dashes grenadine

1 egg white

maraschino cherry for garnish

Preparation: Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the maraschino cherry.

Chair #356

2009-12-22T06:00:00.003-05:00

VENETIAN GONDOLIER'S CHAIR

—Designer unknown

No doubt that some cool Italian in a striped shirt designed this. Imagine this chair perched in a hand carved gondola—shiny and black as the night—and gliding through the secret canals of Venice? This beautifully painted and parcel gilt Venetian Gondolier’s Chair sold for a mere $1,500 at a Christie’s NYC auction on September of 2009. That's amore!

Chair #355

2009-12-21T06:02:00.002-05:00

VALET CHAIR

—Designed by Hans Wegner

The perfect chair for the uncommon man, the valet chair has style. Hans Wegner, a Danish designer, created this chair in an effort to solve the problem of how to properly hold every article of a gentleman's clothing set at the end of the day to preserve their form without wrinkles. The seat flips up so a gentleman can stash away his wallet, keys, cufflinks, watch, i-pod, or whatever. Wegner initially conceived of this chair with four legs but was unsatisfied with the heavy-looking form. The final model with a tripod base is sculptural as well as utilitarian. Very James Bond.

Chair #354

2009-12-20T05:50:00.002-05:00

SNAKE CHAIR

—Designed by Eileen Gray

From the Cobra chair to the Snake chair! Eileen Gray, who died in 1976, was an Irish furniture designer and architect and a pioneer of the Modern Movement in architecture. In February of 2009, Gray's Snake Arm Chair was sold for an astounding $28,238,277 at Christie’s auction of Yves Saint Laurent et Pierre Bergé ’s collection of artifacts. What a snake charmer.

Chair #353

2009-12-19T06:29:00.001-05:00

COBRA CHAIR

—Designed by Carlo Bugatti

Hard not to miss where the name came from. It looks like a cross between a cobra and one of those old fashioned doctor scales. Created in 1902, Bugatti was way ahead of his time, wasn't he?

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Cobra clearly illustrates Bugatti love for smooth, flowing lines and uncomplicated architecture. Even though his design is simplistic and delicate, it reveals Bugatti's imagination. Designed to furnish Carlo's 'Snail Room' at the Turin exposition of 1902, the seat and back of this chair are joined into a single continuous curved form, giving it a futuristic look. The innovative use of a cantilevered seat in this design anticipates an important feature of many chairs made later in the 20th century, especially some employing bent wood or tubular steel frames. This piece also shows how Carlo had begun completely covering his furniture in parchment, a technique which hid all joints. Decorations are made of hammered copper, pencil and paint. Cobra chair is covered with parchement and leather.

Bugatti's painted wood side chair with a copper medallion, made for a room used for games and conversation. Shaped like a cobra, its sweeping curved support and circular back and seat are covered in parchment and inscribed with floral and geometric motifs reminiscent of Islamic art. The chair's open design served a practical purpose, allowing men's coattails and women's trains to hang down behind the seat.

— from DesignMatcher.com

Chair #352

2009-12-18T06:39:00.002-05:00

0.8 CHAIR

—Designed by Omer Arbel

Wow, what a thin profile! Apparently this design would not be structurally sound with just any traditional material. The 8.0 chair uses a structural concrete called Ductal, which is close to steel strength at an impressive ten times stronger than good old concrete. As the name suggests, Ductal is also ductile, so it will flex rather than crack. One question though anyone see a starfish with a missing arm?

Chair #351

2009-12-17T05:48:00.001-05:00

HABIT CHAIR

—Designed by Takeshi Iue

Killer minimalism. Born in Osaka, Japan and now based in Adelaide, Australia, Takeshi Iue is an up and coming designer who is clearly influenced by both traditional and contemporary Japanese design. He runs his own studio producing furniture and lighting with subtle and minimal forms, such as this Habit chair. Nice clean lines.

Chair #350

2009-12-16T05:52:00.002-05:00

ROCKING OIL DRUM CHAIR

—Designed by François Royer

François Royer has given us a fresh take on the familiar oil-drum-chair concept. This one looks quite cozy, doesn't it? The seat inside is made of waxen smoked bamboo, while the outer oil drum is painted in a vibrant, shiny orange color.

Chair #349

2009-12-15T05:51:00.008-05:00

MOROCCAN PIDA CHAIR

—Designer unknown

One great thing about this chair is that it's affordable. But other than that, it's cultural and cool. A pida chair is a classic low seat common in India, but iterations of it are seen throughout Indonesia as well. This particular chair is intricately carved from Indian rosewood, and has a lovely jute weave on the seat. The final result is a dark aged rustic look that would transform any room to another world, another time. Imagine that you are wrapped in a gorgeous pink sari. Your hair is pulled up with flowers in it. A pink and orange colored batik tapestry hangs behind you on the wall, a Ganesha sculpture is sitting nearby sending out success vibes. Candles are lit all around, and you are sipping black Assam tea. Absolute serenity.

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GANESHA

Ganesha—the elephant deity—is one of the most commons icons for anything associated with Indian religion and culture. The son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha is believed to be the remover of all obstacles and is prayed to before the beginning of any significant occasion. Thus Ganesha is known as the deity of SUCCESS! He is the destroyer of evils and obstacles, and is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. I know, good guy to have on your side, right? Ganesha sculptures are extremely popular in India and abroad. He is a deity with the body of a man and the head of an elephant, a big belly, a broken tusk and a jovial nature. Ganesha is usually depicted with more than two arms, a mouse and a serpent.

Chair #348

2009-12-14T05:24:00.003-05:00

PALTRONA CONOLOUNGE CHAIR

—Designed by Ricardo Vargas & Abi Jarkowiec

This is so darn clever. These two hip Chilean designers have recycled beefy cardboard tubes from periodical printer rolls into this fun chair. They connected them using a sturdy, green steel bar.

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From the Ricardo Vargas & Abi Jarkowiec website:

Mais uma dessas idéias simples porém com impacto é a poltrona Conolounge, criada pelo estúdio de design chileno Onceneto, dos designers Ricardo Vargas and Abi Jarkowiec, é feita com tubos de papelão e aço. Com certeza é um bom exemplo do design ecológico.

Chair #347

2009-12-13T05:43:00.002-05:00

SMARTIES GEOMETRICS CHAIR

—Designed by Mattia Bonetti

Does anyone out there remember the penny candy that looked like this? It was a strip of paper like a registry strip with candy dots all lined up on them, and upon it were rows of pastel rainbow colored dots that we kids would pull off and eat with zeal.

Chair #346

2009-12-12T05:38:00.002-05:00

THRONE CHAIR

—Designed by Carlo Bugatti

Carlo is from the same designing family of Italy who gave is the stunning Bugatti automobile.

From the Bugatti Trust website: Carlo Bugatti (1856 - 1940) was born in Milan and became an artist and designer of international renown. He trained at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts and was greatly influenced by the early exponents of the ‘New Art’ in their reaction against the heavy, ornate, classical, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo styles fashionable in the mid 19th Century. Carlo married Therèse Lorioli and they had three children – Ettore, Deanice and Rembrandt. Some of Carlo’s talents, his individuality and his approach to his art, whether by nature or nurture, seemed to resurface in the following generations of his family.

Chair #345

2009-12-11T05:38:00.002-05:00

SUGAR CONE BAR STOOL

—Designer unknown

How fun, and delicious in lime green.

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There are all sorts of ice cream cones....Sugar cones, waffle cones, and even kiddie cups. It's a cornet or cone-shaped pastry, made of a wafer, usually with a decorative with criss-crossed ridges on it, similar in texture to a waffle. Ice cream is served in these clever cones, allowing it to be eaten without a bowl or spoon. To me there is something sort of gross about frantically liking ice cream before it melts on a warm summer day. It feels a little barnyard to me, and so I generally go for the cup and spoon method of attack, with the cone on the side. Much more civilized. The sugar cone has a pointed bottom, and the waffle cone has a flat bottom that can be set upon a table. Sugar cones are much better tasting, in my humble opinion.

French cook books going back to 1825 mention the edible cone, except they called it a coronet, and most likely stuffed it with a gorgeous pastry cream and/or fruit. Julien Archambault describes a cone where one can roll "little waffles." The first cones were lovingly rolled by hand, forming the cone shape immediately after the biscuit came out of the oven and was therefore still warm and pliable. Lotta love there, making cones by hand. Thankfully in 1912, an inventor from Portland, Oregon named Frederick Bruckman patented a machine for rolling the conical confections. He sold his company to Nabisco in 1928, who are still producing ice-cream cones today. Something to note, Ben & Jerry's make their own ice-cream cones.

Chair #344

2009-12-10T05:37:00.003-05:00

ART DECO EXPO CHAIR

—Designer unknown

This is a darling little miniature sized chair, and although I don't know much about it I think it would look great in a little dollhouse, wouldn't it?

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A dollhouse is a toy home, made in miniature. For the last century, dollhouses have primarily been the domain of children but their collection and crafting is also a hobby for many adults. Today's dollhouses trace their history back about four hundred years to the baby house display cases of Europe, which showed idealized interiors. Smaller doll houses with more realistic exteriors appeared in Europe in the 1700s. Early dollhouses were all handmade, but following the Industrial Revolution and World War II, they were increasingly mass produced and became more standardized and affordable.

—From Wikipedia

Chair #343

2009-12-09T05:37:00.003-05:00

CROSSED LEG 'LIVING' CHAIR

—Designed by Vladimir Tsesler & Sergei Voichenko

Ooh la laaa. Zee legs... zay are magnifique!

Russian designers Vladimir Tsesler and Sergei Voichenko came up with this ingenious seating design called the Living Chair. The design of the Living Chair was inspired by the human form (predominantly the female form) and legs. A pair of skinny, sexy legs sit crossed legged at the front to form a stable tri-pod. It comes in a feminine electric pink or red. Interesting that the chair is a tripod shape, because it would seem that the person using it would have to straddle it with their legs open, or else sit side saddle with their legs crossed. Having said that, I'd like to see someone sitting upon it.

Chair #342

2009-12-08T05:36:00.003-05:00

DENTAL CHAIR

—Designed by Chengli Hung

This is not your average dental chair, is it? Chengli Hung has designed this moon-shaped, yellow upholstered dental chair in such a way that unnecessary parts of components are finely hidden in the body shell. This is not only a much more simpler way to keep it clean, but I imagine it is also meant to reduce the stress of the patient. Open wide!

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Anti Dentite

Term coined in a Seinfeld episode defining people who hate or dislike dentists. It's deeper than that...you have to see the snippet. Go to You Tube if you don't know what I am talking about.

Chair #341

2009-12-07T05:34:00.003-05:00

BOUQUET CHAIR

—Designed by Tokujin Yoshioka

SCRUMPTIOUS! I guess I have a weakness for these flower themed chairs. And this is not just a plain old petal chair—It's a whole bouquet of loveliness! Hand-folded Alcantara fabric petals cover a simple egg-shaped shell, all atop a lacquered steel base. And the great thing is that the petals resume their original shape after it's been sat upon. This bouquet will last a lot longer than that dozen roses you just bought at the market. Tokujin came up with this idea on a simple realization — bouquets make people happy.

Chair #340

2009-12-06T05:14:00.002-05:00

ARMADILLO CHAIR

—Designed by Aodh O'Donnell

This emerging young designer created this chair from pieces of laminated wood. Lots of em.

Remember the stuffed armadillo in John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany? One of my favorite books of all time, and I am not embarrassed to confess that I cried my heart out at the end. Needless to say, the film didn't do it's justice at all.

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Chapter 2, The Armadillo

Where most of those men are awkward and diffident around John, Dan Needham gives him a mysterious paper bag. He tells John not to open it, but to alert him if it moves. As the adults talk in the living room, John is unable to resist the temptation, and opens the bag. He sees a horrible monster, and screams. Dan laughingly tells John's mother, "I told you he'd open the bag! "The monster, it turns out, is merely a stuffed armadillo, a prop Dan was using in his lecture at Gravesend Academy. He has just been hired as a history professor, focusing on the way drama and performance distinguish different historical epochs. He gives the armadillo to John to keep, and John cherishes it. Owen also loves it, and the two of them create a game in which one of them hides it in the John's grandmother's attic, and the other has to find it.

—Excerpt from John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany

Chair #339

2009-12-05T05:43:00.002-05:00

VASA INTESTINA CHAIR

—Designed by Lisa Jones

This unusual chair is from the designer's Symbiosis chair series. It's intricately cut wood on a delicate steel frame. This is both beautiful an ugly to me. The beautiful part of it reminds me of those delicate sea coral fans, and the ugliness of it reminds me of a skeleton. A med student might appreciate this more than me. Still, it's unique, and we like that here at Chair Du Jour.

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Symbiosis basically means ‘living together’ and in the context of marine biology refers to a close relationship between two species. As an example, think of the Clown fish and the anemone in Finding Nemo.

Chair #338

2009-12-04T05:32:00.003-05:00

DRUNKEN EGYPTIAN CHAIR

—Designed by John Knott

How did this chair get its name? Look at the chair upside down... it's what a drunk Egyptian might make.

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Ancient Egyptians Drank Medicinal Wines

“Doctor’s orders,” the pharaohs may have said with a wink as they took swigs of wine. At least 5,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians had begun a long-standing tradition of infusing their libations with medicinal herbs, according to a new chemical analysis of residues on wine jugs. The earliest written evidence for the practice comes from Egyptian papyri that date to 1850 B.C. The new find pushes archaeological evidence for medicinal wines back to 3150 B.C., the beginning of Egyptian history. The wine jar was found in the tomb of Scorpion I, one of the first pharaohs.

—John Roach, author of Uncorking the Past

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We think of Egypt when we think of pyramids, but did you know?... The Mesopotamians built the earliest pyramidal structures, called ziggurats. In ancient times these were brightly painted. Since they were constructed of mud-brick, little remains of them.

Chair #337

2009-12-03T06:01:00.003-05:00

BLOOM CHAIR

—Designed by Kenneth Cobonpue

Flower power, baby. We've seen several petal chairs on this blog this year, but this is the loveliest to me. It is created from microfiber stitched overtop resin with a steel base. I would love several of these magnificent chairs scattered about in my garden. They'd surely make a big impact on any sized garden, or even on a sunporch. The only hard decision would be what color to get.

Chair #336

2009-12-02T05:30:00.003-05:00

EGYPTIAN THRONE CHAIR

—Designer unknown

In ancient Egypt the chair was a symbol of authority and prestige. In modern days to own a replica of an Egyptian chair would seem slightly eccentric, and certainly attention demanding, yet these are for sale all over the internet. This replica throne chair is similar to King Tutankhamen’s Egyptian Throne Chair, from the tomb of the boy king. The original King Tut chair is 3,500-year old, and in a museum in Cairo. This chair is painted in the rich palette of Egypt, with blues and reds, and hand-finished with authentic gold leaf. Each 84 lb. chair requires a full two weeks to craft. A lot shorter than those pyramids took to craft, even with the slave labor.

Chair #335

2009-12-01T05:30:00.004-05:00

CROWN CHAIR

—Designed by Tom Dixon

Tom Dixon is a Brit, of course. After all, who else but a loyal servant to HRH Queen Liz would come up with this Crown Chair? He's had an interesting life. He was born in Tunisia, and moved to London as a young lad just out of diapers. He fell into design quite by accident when he found himself with, in his own words, “time on his hands” while recovering from a motorcycle accident around 1983. He was an art school drop-out with no technical training, but he taught himself how to become a designer-maker in while repairing his motorbike... no doubt after the aforementioned motorcycle accident! His first proper job was as head of design at the Habitat retail chain, and now he is with Artek, the Finnish furniture manufacturer. He has successfully combined the creative with the commercial throughout his career. Tom Dixon is also the genus who gave us the gorgeous svelte S Chair. See Chair #87 on March 28th of this blog.

Chair #334

2009-11-30T05:49:00.003-05:00

CUPIDON CHAFFEUSE CHAIR

—Designed by Pierre par John Hutton

Cupidon is French for cupid, so with fluted legs, and a nice plump cushion, I can absolutely see a little winged creature sitting upon it. The chair has an aristocratic, 18th-century feel to it, and would spirit away any room. Of course, a classic bust of the winged victory would look fab perched in a nearby corner. And pink, I see pink.

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Chaffeuse

chauf⋅feuse [shoh-fœz] noun, plural -feuses [-fœz]

French Furniture.

a fireside chair having a low seat and a high back.

Chair #333

2009-11-29T05:29:00.004-05:00

ROCKING HORSE CHAIR

—Designer unknown

Well we just had to include a rocking horse chair on this blog, didn't we? This four legged chair is carved form oak, and has a nice soft mane and tale. Giddy-UP!

Chair #332

2009-11-28T05:57:00.002-05:00

LOUIS XV VANITY CHAIR

—Designed by Louis J. Solomon

Sweet chair. Curvy and inviting. Bonfire of the vanities.

Chair #331

2009-11-27T05:27:00.002-05:00

MR. WING CHAIR

—Designer unknown, Offered through Brunschwig and Fils

This is half of a pair of Mr. and Mrs. Wing chairs Offered through Brunschwig and Fils. This is the Mr. half, with the square cut top of the curve of the wing. The Mrs. chair has a rounded top wing. Love the big nail head trim on both halves.

Chair #330

2009-11-26T05:15:00.002-05:00

AMORPHIC CHAIR

—Designed by Finn Stone

Reminds me of a wishbone. You know, make a wish at Thanksgiving, and pull each side with your pinkies? Well this is a three-way wishbone.

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Finn Stone has developed a range of amorphic chairs such as this one made from fibreglass and polyethylene. He is currently one of the UK's leading furniture makers, and he is extending his creative design flair into jewelry, ceramics and even clothing. His furniture has been compared to the styles of Eero Aarnio and Vernon Patton.

Chair #329

2009-11-25T05:24:00.002-05:00

DIVINE CHAIR

—Designed by Vincent Cadena

And it IS divine, dahhling. Vincent Cadena's philosophy is simple: "Design should pay homage to the past, while embracing the future." I think he got that retro glam thing down.

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Here's the dish by Mr. Cadena himself... follow the numbers...

A couture furniture, on average, comprises 60 different sections of materials and metal that require 12 separate production stages. Every procedure is invariably carried out by hand during a production process that demands approximately 19 hours of work for each single furniture and the involvement of at least 5 specialist craftsmen.

Chair #328

2009-11-24T05:24:00.002-05:00

PADAUK & MAPLE BENCH CHAIR

—Designed by Yokhai Givon

This would be a lovely addition to any Japanese garden, perhaps under an acer palmatum, beni schichihenge? Or maybe under an acer palmatum, shishigashira?

Chair #327

2009-11-23T06:05:00.003-05:00

AOMSCO CHAIR

—Designed by Marijn van der Poll

I couldn't find any info on this chair—even on the designer's website. But here is some info dug up on the designer:

Marijn van der Poll design studio is a multidisciplinary design studio. Working for clients or independently we create exclusive designs such as one-off automobiles and unique furniture pieces which have been displayed around the world in renowned galleries and museums such as the Victoria&Albert Museum and the Louvre. Over the past nine years we have also built up a portfolio consisting of design research, product design and development, product introductions and creative engineering for companies like office furniture manufacturer Ahrend and Marcel Wanders.

Born in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, 1973

Grew up in Asia

lived in Saudi-Arabia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Graduated from Singapore American School 1992.
Studied fine arts at the Royal Art Academy in Den Bosch 1993-1995, at the Academy St. Joost in Breda at the department for architecture and interior design 1995-1997.
1998 continued studies at The Design Academy Eindhoven studying under Gijs Bakker.
2000 Marijn van der Poll design studio is set up in Eindhoven
2002 graduated from the Design Academy

Chair #326

2009-11-22T06:11:00.002-05:00

STINGRAY ROCKING CHAIR

—Designed by Thomas Pederson

Young Danish designer Thomas Pederson really captured the look of a stingray gliding through the ocean with his Stingray chair. Doesn't it look relaxing? I have swam with them in the Cayman Islands, and it's very relaxing to watch. I even held a stingray. For the record, they are soft—like picking up a big piece of slippery Jello. The shape of the rocking chair was partially inspired by a shell. This gives it a beautiful organic design which is raw on the outside but smooth and refined on the inside. The chair provides a unique experience of inner tranquillity. The steel frame has been constructed without any transverse lines therefore accentuating the floating appearance of the chair.

Chair #325

2009-11-21T05:55:00.002-05:00

MONTE TAVO HIGH CHAIR

—Designed by Monte Tavo Design Group

Made in Canada, this high chair made its debut at Kids Expo in las Vegas in 2009. With a solid maplewood base and easy-to-wipe recycled-leather upholstery (is that like pleather?) that comes in either black or brown. Because it pulls right up to most standard table heights and doesn’t require a tray, so your darling little child is able to get closer to the action at the dinner table and feel more included in family meals. Designed for independent sitters up to 4 years, the Tavo includes a permanent T-bar and an adjustable seatbelt to rein in restless diners.

Chair #324

2009-11-20T05:59:00.002-05:00

AMOEBA HIGH BACK CHAIR

—Designed by Verner Panton

Amoebe was created by Verner Panton in 1970 for the famous Visiona installation, which included several versions of this lounge piece. It is a great example of close-to-the-floor lounge furniture and captures the spirit of the early 1970s. Amoebe Highback has a flexible backrest that curves over the head of the sitter, forming a sculptural canopy. In this way, Amoebe Highback creates a sense of shelter and seclusion - especially in large, open spaces. Reminds me of the car the Flintstones drove away in. Yabba Dabba Doo!

Chair #323

2009-11-19T06:11:00.002-05:00

BIG EASY VOLUME 2 CHAIR

—Designed by Ron Arad

Though Arad did make a New Orleans Big Easy chair in 1999, I don't think this chair has anything to do with New Orleans and its nickname. But it's still a fab chair! It sort of reminds me of a big fat puzzle piece. Ron Arad's Big Easy 2 Chair is part of an evolving series. The first was designed 20 years ago and has been continually modified through colors, surfaces, and materials over time. It was a polished and patinated steel version in 1988. It was hollow welded in patinated black or stainless steel with polished off welds and was available in a 2-seater version as well. And early Big Easy Volume 2 for 2 Sofa 1989 sold for $159,000. Yikes! Nothing easy about that price tag.

Chair #322

2009-11-18T05:56:00.003-05:00

WALK, DON'T WALK CHAIR

—Designed by John Carter

WALK. Don't WALK. Is this hip and urban or what?

There's nothing pedestrian about this chair. Artisan John Carter combines fine art, interior design and social commentary for a truly one-of-a-kind creation. The New York City "Walk/Don't Walk" signs actually work - and a remote control is included to turn them on and off. The legs are made from reconfigured, customized steel street sign brackets, with galvanized, heavy duty self-leveling feet.The chair can come complete with all the genuine scuffs and stains of its New York City roots or can come "squeaky clean" with a fresh coat of paint.The seating surfaces have been reglazed with one inch-thick polished resin, cushioned with felt suspension. The chair plugs into a standard 115V AC outlet, and the standard bulbs (included) are replaceable. Handmade in New York City.

—From Uncommon goods.com

Chair #321

2009-11-17T06:00:00.003-05:00

FENELLA CHAIR

—Designed by David Savage

Part of a pair of chairs named the Fenella and John chairs, this whimsical chair has a cute story. Designer David Savage was commissioned by a nice couple in Devon (UK) who wanted a pair of fireside chairs. The client John said that he wanted a chair for his wife Fenella that protected her from the drafts of the door behind where the chair would sit, and would wrap around her. And he also requested "...a twiddly bit, just one, something frivolous." Too darling, isn't it? So that curlicue on the left must be the twiddly bit he asked for. I love the inward curves of the chair arms, and the asymmetry of the right slanting swoosh of the chair back. John's chair is totally different. It is a "man's chair", all bare bones and no sissy girl cushions or padding.

Chair #320

2009-11-16T05:32:00.005-05:00

MAMMA ROCKING CHAIR

—Designed by Patrick Messier

Okay, how sweet is this? This designer created this chair for his pregnant wife! Do you love?! After looking in vain for a rocking chair that met all their criteria for good looks and comfort, Patrick decided to create one for Sophie. So he used the Fibonacci sequence to create curves on a grid. Made from one piece of moulded fiberglass, his method not only gave the chair strength in it's function, but also a sense of suspension. Rock-a bye-baby!

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Fibonacci Sequence & the Golden Ratio

The Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio are related, and have been around forever in mathematics and the arts—even music. Really... forever... because it occurs in nature! It starts with the number 1. Each additional number is the sum of the two numbers preceding it. For example 1+0=1, 1+1=2, 2+1=3, 3+2=5, 5+3=8 and on and on. Picture the cross section of a nautilus shell, or the petals of a flower. It's too "Mathy" for me to get into in depth here. Google it!

Chair #319

2009-11-15T06:01:00.003-05:00

CLUB CHAIR

—Designed by Tim Philbrick

Tim Philbrick made one of his club chairs for the show. He is one of the few makers to take on the upholstered form, and his club chair was received like no other easy chair since John Dunnigan’s upholstered work in the 1980s. Philbrick had worked on the easy chair form since his PIA training in the 1970s. In the early 1980s, he was commissioned to do a series of upholstered seating pieces for the Edward Steichen house in Connecticut. His chairs stand out today as contemporary forms in complete control of their many curving lines. In these chairs, the visible flow of the wood continues up the front leg, through the arm, up the side of the back, and into the crown rail. The curving front edge of the upholstered seat forms the front of the chair, without resorting to a separate cushion.

Chair #318

2009-11-14T05:21:00.003-05:00

THE VICTORY CHAIR

—Designer unknown

Nothing says relaxation like coming home to a chair with cannons on it. Maybe if you're Horatio Nelson. The chair is from the collection of Mallet, in London, and is a unique Regency commemorative armchair. It's carved from the oak planks from the HMS Victory, Lord Nelson's flagship that was battered during the Battle of Trafalgar (October 21, 1805). Talk about provenance! The seat back is carved with the royal coat of arms, and also carved on it are words Victory and Trafalgar, along with serpents and scrolls and various decorative carvings. Lord Nelson was mortally wounded during the battle, and he died on the deck of the Victory, becoming Britain's greatest war hero. So if he's sitting on this chair it's as a ghost. I am not making this up people!

Chair #317

2009-11-13T05:20:00.002-05:00

DOVE BENCH CHAIR

—Designed by Judy Kensley McKie

Judy, Judy, Judy!

Love your style. Search for more of her creations on this blog. Clearly a dove with wings, but I also see a royal crown in this design, don't you?

Chair #316

2009-11-12T05:19:00.003-05:00

AFTER SPRING CHAIR

—Designed by Ron Arad

This is not to be confused with Ron's Before Spring chair, which is positioned slightly different. Ron Arad is everywhere on this blog. He's a contemporary designer who is always thinking, always full of fresh innovation. Combining playful forms and experiments with advanced technologies, Ron Arad (1951-) has emerged as one of the most influential designers of our time. Born in Tel Aviv, he moved to London in 1973 to study architecture and made his name in the early 1980s as a self-taught designer and creator of sculptural furniture.

Chair #315

2009-11-11T05:28:00.003-05:00

GENOESE ARMCHAIR

—Designer unknown

This Late fifteenth-century Genoese armchair has some gorgeous detail work. It's from L'Antiquaire & the Connoisseur, New York. The folding "X" chair design is a riff on the classic Savonarola chair. See Chair #28, January 28 of this blog for more details.

Chair #314

2009-11-10T05:48:00.004-05:00

VENETIAN GROTTO CRAB CHAIR

—Designer unknown

This is a nineteenth-century grotto chair crafted in the shape of the crab, and it's from the collection of Ariane Dandois in Paris. Man made grottos were all the rage back in the romantic era. Think of Mad King Ludwig and the grotto he had built at Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria—all part of his grand homage to Richard Wagner. The grotto was an artificial stalactite cavern, complete with a waterfall. He'd float around in a boat and crank the Wagner up to 11. This crab chair would be absolutely perfect in Ludwig's grotto. Ahh, lifestyles of those crazy rich an famous, eh?

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She Crab Soup

2 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups half & half cream
4 teaspoons finely grated onion
3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt and white pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
1/4 teaspoon red (cayenne) pepper
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest (rind)
1 1/2 pounds flaked blue crab (or dungeness crab) meat
1/4 cup crab roe or 2 crumbled hard cooked egg yolks
3 tablespoons dry sherry
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

In a large, heavy pot over low heat, melt butter; add flour and blend until smooth. Slowly add milk and half & half cream, stirring constantly with a whisk; cook until thickened. Add onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, white pepper, mace, cayenne pepper, and lemon zest. Bring just to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low, add crabmeat and crab roe or crumbled hard-cooked egg yolks; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add sherry, stirring to mix. Let sit for 3 to 4 minutes before serving.To serve, pour the soup into individual heated soup bowls, dividing the crabmeat and roe equally into each bowl. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.

Chair #313

2009-11-09T05:18:00.002-05:00

SWALLOWTAIL CHAIR

—Designed by Brian Fireman

Brian Fireman is a furniture designer specializing in hand-crafted contemporary furniture. He has a formal education in both geology and architecture, plus a fascination with wood as an organic material, along with a killer passion for the creative process of designing and building. He is inspired by mid-20th century Danish masters such as Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, and Sigurd Ressell.

Chair #312

2009-11-08T05:16:00.003-05:00

PEACOCK CHAIR

—Designed by Dror Benshetrit

This chair sits proud as a peacock! New York based designer Dror Benshetrit has created the Peacock chair for Cappellini. It's created out of three sheets of felt and a minimal metal frame. The folds of the felt are woven tightly to form a structured yet incredibly comfortable lounge chair, with no weaving, sewing, or upholstery involved.

Chair #311

2009-11-07T05:07:00.002-05:00

TALL CHERRY CHAIR

—Designed by James Schriber

Chair #310

2009-11-06T05:06:00.003-05:00

DOWL CHAIR

—Designed by Paul Julius Martus

American designer Paul Martus creates furniture and products, but is probably best known for his unique metal works, such as the hand hammer and wrench.

Chair #309

2009-11-05T05:26:00.003-05:00

BRONZE SEA GULL CHAIR

—Designed by Judy Kenskey McKie

Here is yet another brilliant chair by Judy Kenskey McKie. See Chair #298/October 25 and Chair #278/October 5 of this blog for more of her witty animal chair designs. This bronze sea gull is her largest bronze chair to date. It's instantly calming—as if those huge, upturned wings will wrap you up in comfort once you have a seat upon its back.

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When Judy Kensley Mckie sees a duck on a pond, she does not think, “Oh, how cute,” or “Look at it swim,” or even “That would taste delicious in an orange sauce.” Instead, the Cambridge, Mass., artist wonders whether it could support a glass tabletop. “Birds are good because they have a lot of parts. I used birds a lot in my earlier pieces,” she says, explaining that wings, beaks, and feathered tails adapt well to her furniture designs.

—From Robb Report.com

Chair #308

2009-11-04T06:05:00.003-05:00

TENNIS BALL CHAIR

—Designed by Hugh Hayden

Tennis anyone? How to repurpose all those fuzzy lime green spheres after Wimbleton? Tennis balls have a high turnover during matches, and so a huge number of them get discarded in spite of the fact that they're practically brand new. When we were kids we played with them until they were almost bald, right? Hugh Hayden, an architect, furniture designer, and Dallas transplant now residing in Brooklyn, has only one desire: to put the ‘fun’ back in functional with his FUNature collection of chairs and tables. Hayden used 297 tennis balls to craft this enormously playful chair. It's heavenly soft and surprisingly massaging to sit on. LOVE! It's a match(point) made in heaven.

Chair #307

2009-11-03T05:34:00.003-05:00

NATURAL CRYSTAL CHAIR

—Designed by Tokujin Yoshioka

No really, it's a real crystal chair! Designer Tokujin Yoshioka grew this chair using a production process that utterly unique. Not that it would be comfortable to sit in. Ouch. A fiber form made of polyester elastomer (which looks like strands of cooked spaghetti or a nest of ramen noodles) forms the skeleton which is then submerged into a tank. There the crystals slowly grow onto the fiber form. At his at ‘Second Nature’ exhibit, Yoshioka installed a large water tank to hold this submerged fiber form in water. So visitors actually saw the process of the structure growing. Well, slowly, of course. The process takes months. Reminds me of rock candy.

Chair #306

2009-11-02T06:00:00.004-05:00

KASHIWADO CHAIR

—Designed by Isamu Kenmochi

Actually, the full name of the chair is "Sculptural Japanese Chair for Sumo Wrestler." Wacky, I know. Kenmochi designed this chair as an homage to a big and beefy famous Japanese Sumo wrestler named Kashiwado Tsuyosh (1938–1996). The designer took weeks to produce this sculptural chair. The wood he chose was just as important as the design of the chair. He started by cutting numerous blocks of the bottom roots from a Japanese cedar, then he carefully selected the pieces of wood with the most tree-rings. The blocks were stacked onto each-other forming layers. Suddenly I am craving sake and sushi.

Chair #305

2009-11-01T05:13:00.003-05:00

VEGETAL CHAIR

—Designed by Ronan & Rrwan Bouroullec for Vitra

There's a trend on getting back to nature. Shapes from the world of vegetation serve as inspiration for brothers Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec’s new vegetal chair. Its plant like structure, like crissing and crossing vegetation, is modeled after trees in 19th-century gardens that were pruned into functional furniture. It's available in six delicious, veggie inspired colors (such as eggplant), and the Vegetal stacks away neatly.

Chair #304

2009-10-31T06:03:00.004-04:00

DEVIL CHAIR

—Designed by Anthony Redmile

Behold... the Devil's armchair. This creepy bone, horn, malachite, and wood chair seems fitting for Hallowen. I do like the design of the symmetrical top horns, but I ask you, who would own this evil, scary chair, besides Satan? Seems more like an Ozzy Osbourne stage prop than something one would have in one's living room. The chair was originally made in England in the 1960s and is a one of a kind creation. Thankfully.

Chair #303

2009-10-30T05:55:00.003-04:00

PYRAMID CHAIR

—Designed by Karim Rashid

His newest lounge chair for Nienkämper, Karim Rashid borrows the monumental pyramid form from ancient Egypt and stands it on its head. By thinking outside the box and inverting the shape associated with ancient history, he has has created an exciting new chair. And fitting, since Rashid describes himself as “an upside-down multicultural being” – someone who is “Canadian-Irish-English-Algerian-Egyptian-American, with some Italian education thrown in the mix.”

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“Fortunately, an upside-down pyramid makes for a perfect lounge chair.”

— Karim Rashid

Chair #302

2009-10-29T05:11:00.003-04:00

TULIP ARM CHAIR

—Designed by Jeffrey Bernett

A simple and clean design with careful proportions of both straight lines and curvy contours, the Tulip chair is a beautiful flower indeed. The U curve of the seat rests upon a a singular pole and a brushed aluminum disc. Soft cushion seating and high armrests make it comfortable and welcoming. Did I mention that it swivels?! 360° of swivelichousness and swivelocity. Oh yeah.

Chair #301

2009-10-28T05:41:00.005-04:00

PRETZEL CHAIR

—Designed by George Nelson

Another round of pretzels and beer! This is the pretzel chair that gets all the attention—perhaps because George Nelson already had a name for himself when he designed this. He is the creator of the Nelson Coconut Chair. (chair #107, April 17 of this blog). Interesting how the arms of this chair curve around and under the seat.

Chair #300

2009-10-27T05:00:00.004-04:00

PRETZEL CHAIR

—Designed by Norman Cherner

This classic mid-century molded plywood chair must have seemed way ahead of its time. Do you see those sexy curves on this chair? Incredible. Delicate yet sturdy. Love the shapely hourglass chair back. This chair is not to be confused with the George Nelson Pretzel chair, which has a totally different back. See next posting (chair #301). Which Pretzel chair came first, Nelson's or Cherner's? Does anyone out there know?

Chair #299

2009-10-26T05:19:00.004-04:00

RABBIT CHAIR

—Designed by Stanislav Katz

Bunny-lichious.

Honey bunny.

Bunny love.

Pink and black and adorable... all at once.

Chair #298

2009-10-25T05:23:00.003-04:00

MONKEY CHAIR

—Designed by Judy Kensley McKie

I adore this furniture maker. Her chairs are often made of rare wood, and they evoke an certain mystery. This whimsical monkey chair could jump right out of a Henry Rousseau's jungle painting such as The Dream, The Snake Charmer, or Tiger in a Tropical Storm. The chair is made of cast bronze and walnut.

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In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight....

Chair #297

2009-10-24T05:18:00.002-04:00

WHEELCHAIR

—Designer unknown

One of the greatest chairs ever created (and count your blessing if you do not need one to get around) the wheelchair is a wheeled mobility device in which the user sits.

Records of wheelchairs date back to the 6th century, but it was Harry Jennings, a mechanical engineer, who invented the first lightweight, steel, collapsible wheelchair circa 1933. His coworker and friend Herbert Everest had broken his back in a mining accident and could not walk. The two men saw the enormous business potential of the invention, and went on to become the first mass-manufacturers of wheelchairs: Everest and Jennings. Their signature "x-brace" design is still in common use today.

Chair #296

2009-10-23T05:57:00.002-04:00

HAIR CHAIR

—Designed by Baron & Baron

The back of this chair sports a braid on each side that connects in the center back. Part 20s flapper dress, part hairy dog. Seriously, I've seen a Afghan dog just like this on the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. I think it was a bleach blonde. This had to have been the inspiration for this chair. Anyone out there remember Cousin It from the Addams Family TV series?

Chair #295

2009-10-22T05:26:00.003-04:00

BISCUIT-TUFTED LOUNGE CHAIR

—Designer unknown

Biscuit-tufted? Where do these names come from?

Chair #294

2009-10-21T04:55:00.003-04:00

LEATHER ARMCHAIR

—Designer unknown

This handsome French oak and leather armchair is offered through Sentimento Antiques, and looks incredibly comfortable.

Chair #293

2009-10-20T05:17:00.002-04:00

WIP CHAIR

—Designed by Khodi Feiz

Khodi Feiz designed this chair in polystyrene foam using a computer driven cutting system based on the hot wire. The seating elements adorn the outdoor and indoor spaces of the Dutch embassy in Berlin in June 2006.After an extensive research into the base material, prototypes were developed to test the structural and formal qualities of the material. Also investigations into the possibilities of wire cutting to achieve a very 3D form with only two 2d cuts in different directions. —from www.designws.com

Chair #292

2009-10-19T05:36:00.002-04:00

ARM CHAIR

—Designer unknown

This chair was in a huge Parisian apartment located directly across from the Élysée Palace on the Champs-Élysées. I saw it in a magazine, and I know nothing more about the chair, but it looks handsomely masculine and sturdy. Trés bon.

Chair #291

2009-10-18T05:36:00.004-04:00

CASTLE CORNER CHAIR

—Designed by Thomas Pheasant for Baker

One interesting note, this chair comes in both left facing and right facing. Imagine one of each flanking an huge window or a dressing room? It would almost look like a long couch, interrupted. The elegant scroll back contrasts nicely with the woodwork around the seat.

Chair #290

2009-10-17T05:54:00.002-04:00

BOULOUM LOUNGE CHAIR

—Designed by Olivier Mourgue

Olivier Mourgue named the Bouloum chair after a childhood friend. Mourgue took this charismatic seat with him when he travelled, and even photographed it in various situations. I'd like to see some of those photos! It sounds like a good idea for a book, like the Red Couch. Both playful and practical, the anthropomorphic form is apparently quite comfortable too, though one would have to crouch down on the ground to get in and out of it. But once you're in it, I suppose it could work. The chair is made from upholstered tubular steel frame and is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Chair #289

2009-10-16T05:33:00.002-04:00

GILDED ROPE CHAIR

—Designer unknown

This nineteenth century rop chair is from the collection of Madeline Casteing in Paris. That it's gilded makes it so French. Were it not, it might just look like your average sea captain's chair.

Chair #288

2009-10-15T05:31:00.003-04:00

DIRECTOR's CHAIR

—Designer unknown

ACTION!! The design of the Director's chair goes back to coffer-makers' chairs of the 15th century and even as far back to the Roman curule chair. The lightweight chair that folds side-to-side with a scissors action. The seat and back are made of canvas or leather, and usually has armrests. The stereotypical image of a movie director on location includes one of these chairs, hence the name. Think Cecil B. DeMille. CUT!

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Classic lines from Sunset Boulevard

Joe Gillis: You're Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big.

Norma Desmond: I AM big. It's the pictures that got small.

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Norma Desmond: We didn't need dialogue. We had faces!

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Norma Desmond: All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up.

Chair #287

2009-10-14T05:11:00.004-04:00

HANG CHAIR

—Designed by Studio Niels & Sven

This cheeky chair is a nifty combo of a chair and a clothes hanger, and it's perfect to hang your jacket on. I call this the poor man's valet chair. You could even hang your watch over the hanger hook. Mr. 007 himself, James Bond, would definitely NOT own this chair.

Chair #286

2009-10-13T05:30:00.003-04:00

LOUIS XVI THEATER CHAIR

—Designer unknown

Oh la laa. These fancy armchairs were signed Bauve and made for the theater at Versaille, France. Ce' Magnifique!

Chair #285

2009-10-12T05:30:00.005-04:00

SPANISH LEATHER CHAIR

—Designer unknown

Spain, 1940s. Empire style chair with polished nickel and brass hardware. It has a curved back with leather seat and back. Amazing details, check out those webbed feet! Someone has a sense of humor.

Chair #284

2009-10-11T05:29:00.006-04:00

CROCHET CHAIR

—Designed by Marcel Wanders

The Crochet chair is unlike anything ever produced. It is a brand new application for the old craft of crocheting. The open structure lends an airy lightness, yet the resin and fiber construction allows elegance as well as a durability.

Chair #283

2009-10-10T05:29:00.006-04:00

WOOD SLICE CHAIR

—Designed by Mathias Bengtsson

London-based designer Mathias Bengtsson made just 2o of these beauties. He modeled this organic chair in 3D on a computer, then used precision lasers to automatically cut individual plywood slices which were assembled to give this chair the appearance of sculpted sandstone. Like Arches National Park or Bryce Canyon, it looks similar to a slice of years of sedimentary rock.

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How Sedimentary Rock Is Formed

For thousands, even millions of years, little pieces of our earth have been eroded-broken down and worn away by wind and water. These little bits of our earth are washed downstream where they settle to the bottom of the rivers, lakes, and oceans. Layer after layer of eroded earth is deposited on top of each. These layers are pressed down more and more through time, until the bottom layers slowly turn into rock.

Chair #282

2009-10-09T05:28:00.003-04:00

LADDERBACK CHAIR

—Designed by Jon Brooks

Totally Tim Burton, isn't it? Brooks’ ladderback chairs are fine examples of his work. The beautifully shaped solid wood seats, arm rests, and back slats are combined with organically shaped branch material for the legs and rungs. The branch material was finished in black lacquer, and overlaid with colored scribble-like figure.

Chair #281

2009-10-08T05:28:00.003-04:00

BUTTERFLY STOOL CHAIR

—Designed by Sori Yanagi

Long admired for it's sculptural silhouette, Sori Yanagi's 1954 Butterfly Stool has been an elusive beauty to net. Vintage examples often command upwards of a few thousand dollars at auction. Originally produced and distributed only in Japan, Vitra has secured the authorization and license to produce and distribute this classic.

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True beauty is not made—it is born naturally.
—Sori Yanagi

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Butterfly in Italian—farfalle

Butterfly in Spanish—mariposa

Butterfly in French—papillion

Chair #280

2009-10-07T05:27:00.002-04:00

THE W.W STOOL

—Designed by Philippe Starck

Starck originally designed this piece for film director Wim Wenders where he required a fantasy office environment as a set piece. There were a few different pieces of furniture that Starck designed for this project, this one being called the WW Stool. The is no doubt that it looks great, and it fitted it’s primary purpose - but if you are thinking about using the WW Stool in a commercial application be aware that it is more of a visual trophy than a comfy, relaxing place to sit.

Chair #279

2009-10-06T05:27:00.004-04:00

BARCA LOUNGE CHAIR

—Designed by Jakob Joergensen

This chair reminds me of a little boat. Can't you just see the gang from Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows floating down the river in this? Rat said, "There is nothing—absolutely nothing —half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Indeed! The Mole has just seen the River for the first time, has just been befriended by the Rat, has just gotten into a boat for the first time, and is about to embark on his first ever River excursion with the Rat. During a quick stop-off at Ratty’s home on the river bank, Rat reappears “staggering under a fat, wicker luncheon-basket.” Here's how Grahame tell it.

'Shove that under your feet,’ he observed to the Mole,
as he passed it down into the boat. Then he untied
the painter and took the sculls again.
‘What’s inside it?’ asked the Mole, wriggling with curiosity.
‘There’s cold chicken inside it,’ replied the Rat briefly;
coldtonguecoldhamcoldbeefpickledgherkinssaladfrenchrolls
cresssandwidgespottedmeatgingerbeerlemonadesodawater...’
‘O stop, stop,’ cried Mole in ecstasies: ‘This is too much!’
‘Do you really think so?’ inquired the Rat seriously ‘It’s only
what I always take on these little excursions; and the other
animals are always telling me that I’m a mean beast and
cut in very fine!’

Delicious dialogue, isn't it?

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The Barca lounge chair was created by molding the identical ash boards around to form the semi-spherical lovely shape we see. This is probably one of those very difficult processes that craftsman like Jakob Joergensen make look easy.

Chair #278

2009-10-05T05:26:00.003-04:00

BIRD CHAIR

—Designed by Judy Kensley McKie

American master Judy McKie's Bird Chair is simply soaring—a masterpiece throne fit for royalty. The Massachusetts furniture maker's witty pieces incorporating stylized animals have won her legions of fans and more than a few impressive accolades.

Chair #277

2009-10-04T05:22:00.007-04:00

ODE CHAIR

—Designed by Jolyon Yates

In the ongoing quest to be green with renewable materials, it is refreshing when a designer makes it easy to fall in love with and feel good about soulful green design. Add to this the lyrical lines and soft contours that envelope and rock your world, and you have the perfect piece of furniture. Northumberland, England designer Jolyon Yates has mastered the art of design poetics and visual lullabyes with his latest Series 3 ODE Chair and Stingray Stools. Exquisitely handcrafted from renewable wood that the artist lovingly selects, these are elegant design pieces meant to last for generations, and his ode to form and function. Yates uses renewable birch (sourced from Scandinavia) for his creations as well as tulipwood and ash. Smooth in finish, these are very durable, one-of-a-kind artisanal designs meant to last for generations... a message that Yates, as a craftsman, feels rather passionately about. See also Chair 272 on September 29 of this blog for another of Yates' ODE chairs.

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The biggest contribution I can make to being environmentally-friendly is in carefully thought out design. I truly hope my chairs will be around longer than others, as longevity is surely good for the environment.

—Jolyon Yates

Chair #276

2009-10-03T05:21:00.005-04:00

THE THINK CHAIR

—Designed by Finn Stone

The Think Chair is a custom built sculptural fibre glass throne chair. A designer production piece, this unique chair is formed from the wild imagination of Finn Stone; a sculptural artist with an eye for the practical. This exotic chair has to be seen to be believed... It’s organic curves are perfectly formed and its physical comfort takes everyone by surprise.

Chair #275

2009-10-02T05:21:00.004-04:00

ANTIQUE AMERICAN BOARDWALK CHAIR

—Designer unknown

Imaging getting all sugared up on salt-water taffy and pushing yourself around in a chair like this? Antique wicker rolling chairs like these were commonly rented to Atlantic City, New Jersey Boardwalk visitors. On June 26, 1870, the first section of the Atlantic City Boardwalk opened along the New Jersey beach. Beautiful beaches, fresh sea air, luxurious hotels, fine restaurants, alluring shops, and a connecting railroad line from Camden, New Jersey drew visitors from all over the world. Atlantic City soon became a popular summer resort and winter health spa. Alexander Boardman, a railroad conductor, conceived the idea of constructing a boardwalk as a means of keeping sand out of the railroad cars and hotels. The city used its tax revenues to build an eight-foot-wide temporary wooden walkway from the beach into town which could be dismantled during the winter. The rolling chair, introduced in 1884, was the only vehicle allowed on the Boardwalk.

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Oooooh, under the boardwalk, down by the sea,

On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be.

Chair #274

2009-10-01T05:09:00.007-04:00

CACTUS CHAIR

—Designed by Valentina Glez Wohlers

Love pink and green...so Lily Pulitzer. This whimsical cactus chair is appropriately named the prickly pair chair, and the button tufts on the seat actually have fabric hairs that mimic the prickly bits of the cactus. Valentina Glez Wohlers is a Mexican born and London based designer. Her cactus chairs made their grand entrance to the world during Milan Design Week, '09.

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Valentina Glez Wohlers, diseñadora nacida en méxico y situada en londres, ha creado estas sillas como una yuxtaposición entre la estética mexicana y europea, incorporando elementos de diseño formales al igual que humor para crear esta mezcla cultural. estas sillas se exhibirán en Milán design week 2009.

Chair #273

2009-09-30T05:29:00.002-04:00

LOUIS DINING CHAIR

—Designed by Thomas Pheasant

Designed for Baker Furniture, the Louis Dining Side and Arm Chair is crafted from mahogany solids and finished in mahogany veneers. The graphic design was inspired by 18th century, Italian Neo-Classic design. Its graphic circle-within-square framed back has a slightly padded, upholstered front and a tight upholstered back that is slightly inset from its frame and secured at each point with a square of hand-forged metal finished in Antique Brass. Curved wood supports join the back to its tightly upholstered seat. The seat rests above a wood base before terminating to four tapered legs. The arm chair features exposed wood arms that sweep down then cut away before joining the seat base.

Chair #272

2009-09-29T05:19:00.004-04:00

ODE LEAF STOOL III

—Designed by Jolyon Yates

An ODE to the Spring - the Leaf Stool is sumptuously sculpted in Birch. Enjoy the practical and luxurious form of this charming and very practical wooden interior sculpture. Bent wood lamination is a difficult process that Yates makes look easy. It involves cutting wood into very thin strips so it will take a bend, then gluing it up and wrapping it around a specially made form while the glue dries. All of the furniture he has made is bent wood lamination, but it looks as though it were sculpted from solid blocks of birch and then finished in satin lacquer. “Ode” is the name he chose for his birch chairs, and he goes on to define that term as “a lyrical poem that pays respect to that which inspires it.” Mr. Yates also says, “In a world of loveless volume manufacturing, ODE Chairs display soul by reflecting the care and honesty with which they have been conceived and crafted.” On his website Mr. Yates speaks "an ode to that rarest of commodities in this manufacture-everything-in-China-on-the-cheap days." His creations are an ode to honest labor.

Chair #271

2009-09-28T05:48:00.003-04:00

ARGUMENT CHAIR

—Designer unknown

This chair is a knockout! The ‘Argument’ Chair sports unique and witty design, and although it’s an extreme concept, it's actually functional and looks quite comfie. An ideal gift for a Muhammad Ali or Tyson fan, it would make a great conversation piece and bring a bright jab of color to any room. The designer has created the Argument Chair made of many boxing gloves. This chair features locking casters on rear legs for mobility and adjustable stainless leveling front feet for uneven surfaces. Exclusively hand-crafted this chair is a part of a limited edition. Don’t punch me for revealing the price tag for this ‘Argument Chair’ that is a little less then $6,000. Nickel plated hardened steel and real Everlast leather boxing gloves.

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"I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."
— Muhammad Ali

Chair #270

2009-09-27T05:17:00.003-04:00

SURREAL MINIMALISM CHAIR (part of a series)

—Designed by David Pompa

Austria-based designer David Pompa has designed a collection of office furniture called Surreal Minimalism. Office furniture. Can you even imagine? This is just so over the top and not attractive, apologies to the creator. Pompa claims that these chairs are a response to mental and physical needs of people in their office environment. The surreal minimalism collection consists of objects which can be randomly combined to a series of office chair. Hmmmm... maybe there’s something I’m missing.

Chair #269

2009-09-26T05:16:00.003-04:00

KOLO ARMCHAIR

—Designed by Jouko Järvisalo

The Finnish word KOLO refers to a small hollow, nook, hole or niche; metaphorically, it also refers to a living space. So now we know. The KOLO is an armchair made from a single wooden sheet, although this looks more like metal to me. Its armrests form a flat, planar surface, from which the seat and chair back are pressed out to create a hollow that makes the seat. The Kolo appears to float on air like a flying magic carpet, but it is supported by a minimalist tubular steel frame.

Chair #268

2009-09-25T05:16:00.004-04:00

HORN AND FUR CHAIR

—Offered through Aqua Vitae Designs

PETA pal Pamela Anderson would be all over this chair...

... with spray paint! To me this chair brings back days of adventure and grandeur in British East Africa. European aristocrats with deep pockets living even deeper out in game country where hunting safaris bagged their trophies of elephants, zebra, giraffes, lions, hippos, leopards, etc. Not that I think people should hunt now, PETA people, but what's done is done, right? This chair makes me think of Isaak Dinesen writing the opening words to her book Out of Africa—"I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills..." Pimms and cucumber sandwiches on the veranda at 4.

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The traditional cucumber sandwich is made of paper-thin slices of cucumber placed between two thin slices of crustless, lightly buttered white bread, preferably with sprigs of fresh dill. Cucumber sandwiches are most often served for a light snack or at afternoon tea, a formal light meal served at four in the afternoon or early evening before the main supper.

Chair #267

2009-09-24T05:16:00.005-04:00

PETAL CHAIR

—Designed by Erwine and Estelle Laverne

Circa 1960s. So sweet, isn't it? If Eero Saarinen Tulip Chair was the inspiration for this chair, it blossomed into a large, graceful French tulip. My favorite flower, I think. En mass of course. And white.

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Tulip mania! Most cultivars of the tulip are derived from Tulipa Gesneriana and are used as ornamental plants. The tulip even boasts a whopping 150 bulbous species. Although this familiar flower is most associtated with Holland, it actually originated in the Persian empire. How exotic, yes? I know what you're thinking and I am too... magic carpet. Mass plantings of the tulip really do evoke a magic carpet effect. It's not known who first brought the tulip to northwest Europe, but we can thank the Turks who eventually brought it to Europe, where it eventually made its way to us in the USA. The word tulip, which earlier in English appeared in such forms as tulipa or tulipant, entered the language by way of French tulipe and its obsolete form tulipan or by way of Modern Latin tulīpa, from Ottoman Turkish tülbend. In the early 1600s enthusiasm for the new flowers triggered a speculative frenzy now known as the tulip mania. Tulip bulbs were then considered a form of currency. Cool cash.

Chair #266

2009-09-23T05:42:00.010-04:00

EASY CHAIR

—Designed by Gerrit Rietveld for Metz

Gerrit Rietveld is the same designer who created the Zig Zag chair (March 9, chair # 68 of this blog). Some of his chairs don't look comfortable, but this one actually does. In 1930 Rietveld created his famous cupola on the roof of the Metz-building and created a furniture collections still to be found in museums over the world and in the present collection of the company. In that period Metz became famous for its designs by Gerrit Rietveld, Bart van der Leck, Sonia Delauny and Alvar Aalto.