Wednesday, January 7, 2009

SEATS OF POWER

I don’t know about you, but for me, 2009 got a slow start.

The cold winter days convinced me that curling up in our new over-sized chair with a cup of vanilla tea (from Vintage Weave) and a pile of decorating magazines was that the perfect way to spend New Years Weekend.

Flipping through the magazines stacked on the floor next to me, I found myself focusing on the chairs in the photos.

I’ve always been attracted by upholstered chairs, and there’s something particularly sexy about tufted ones. These Casama slipper chairs by C.R. Lane are hand-crafted in a small village in India using an exotic patchwork of one-of-a-kind fabrics. Great tufts!
Totally different but equally intriguing, is Habersham Feathers’ new Marie chaise lounge. Inspired by furnishings in the historic Biltmore Renaissance-style chateau in Ashville, North Carolina, the glamorous chaise has flirty tassle trims.

When it comes to classic chair shapes, you can’t go wrong with a wing chair. This one has a traditional yet edgy personality thanks to a glorious stylized floral from Thibaut.

If you’ve been searching for a fabulous chair that is also blissfully eco-friendly, you’ll want to consider C.R. Laine’s Margaret chair. Hand-crafted in the USA from natural materials, including 100% certified organic cotton and soy-based foam, its cozy vintage silhouette feels fresh and modern with a chic floral motif in a captivating shade of cherry-red.

Some of the chairs I admired were skirted like this one from Maine Cottage.

Others weren’t-- which exposes their legs for all to see. This kilim-covered club chair (George Smith) is stuffed with boar bristles and has wheels for easy mobility.

I’ve always been attracted to great gams –on chairs—and the nicely-proportioned turned legs on this Shoebridge chair (C.R. Laine) caught my eye.
As did the simple supports on this Josef Frank Lijevalch easy chair. They look like an organic part of the fabric’s plankton pattern.
This beauty from Maine Cottage has outstanding tapered legs. Its shapely scrolled arms and back aren’t bad either!

And speaking of seats of power. It’s only 14 days until the inauguration… and I’ve been invited to one of the Inaugural Balls!
My excitement is tempered by my angst about shopping for something to wear.

I have a feeling that finding something on short notice that will look drop dead gorgeous -- and won’t blow the budget -- will be a challenge.

17 comments:

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

Ohhh LOVE these chairs... I am so drawn to the tufted ones too. ;))

Congrats on being invited to the ball!! I hope you find a fab dress.

Heather ;)

Malisa said...

The challenge to find the perfect drop-dead outfit will be SO worth the effort! You go to the ball! Don't let anything get in your way! And since I won't be attending, take notes...and pictures...you can be my eyes and ears! I am depending on you, girl!

Now, as for those beautiful chairs...just put my large rear in that comfy chaise lounge!

Malisa

NeereAnDear said...

Being artistic ... I love the lines of the chairs... each shape quite fascinating... however that is not the excitment of the hour now is it?

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I can only imagine the thrill and the "angst" as you put it... that you are under to find a gorgeous gown for such a special occasion ... you must be OVER THE MOON!! You will find the right one... I have faith!!

Cinderalla enchanted!!

HUGS

JO

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Those chairs are great! My favorite on is the red wing chair.

Congrats on the invite to the ball. How fun!! We want to see a picture of you in your dress....

Anonymous said...

I love the chairs. The first chair is amazing, do you know where in India it is made? My fathers family is from India, I hope to visit the country again someday. I would love to see where and how they are made.

Anonymous said...

Oh, my my my! Please have two of the cherry red ones delivered to my house.
Jo

Donna said...

Love the chairs, especially the tufted ones. Very unique!

Congrats on being invited to the ball. Sounds exciting!

Anonymous said...

You know, I love interesting chair legs (table and other wood furniture legs, too, but that's for another day). But I have always found it astounding that so many pieces of furniture have fantastic front legs and ugly back legs. With a server or something whose back legs will be against a wall and generally invisible, that's one thing. But a chair? The back legs usually are in clear view. Like maybe that gorgeous tufted slipper chair -- I can't quite make out the back legs but I think they're not a match for the front legs. The club chair and the Shoebridge chair-- what's wrong with having nice back legs?

Oh, and just be sure you sign up here http://www.dressregistry.com/ so you can be sure your Inaugural Ball gown is unique.

Susie Q said...

I love the kilm covered one...I could so get cozy in it...wow! How exciting to attend one of the balls. I hope you will share some of it all with us...*gentle hint, gentle nudge*

Love,
Sue

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Fabulous chairs, each and every one! And thrilling to go to the ball...knock em dead, friend! Hope you have a blast, and you will find the perfect dress, never fear.
A great way to start the new year.
xo Lidy

Julie said...

Have you found the perfect outfit yet???

Okay - so I probably posted the best and funniest post I have ever done on my blog...my riding lesson photographed! ..and don't laugh so loud that I might hear you!

Have a great week!

Catherine said...

Wow...Great chairs! ~I thought I was the only one who found chairs sexy..:) The vanilla tea sounds delicious, as does curling up in a new over~sized chair looking at magazines~the perfect way to spend New Years weekend, or any evening! Excited to see your post after you attend your Inaugraul Ball~and good luck on finding the perfect dress!
Happy New Year Barbara!
Cat

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara,

I LOVE those patchwork chairs! Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Each one has its own personality. I really like the florals. Nice selection.

Have a great week!

Barbara said...

Interesting and fun chairs but do not think any of them would suit my decor.

Alison Gibbs said...

Oh what fabulous chairs.
Oh how exciting - you go to that ball and make sure you tell us all about it. So exciting
I wish I had that slow start to 2009 like you - it is a crazy house around here with so much going on.
Alison

Tutti Chic said...

Happy New Year barbara! Those chairs are gorgeous! thanks for sharing the photos! hope you found a knock out dress. I know a group of people that are also going to one of the balls-how exciting! I'd go in a heartbeat even though the new pres isn't my choice-lol! have a ball at the ball! :) chris