You are what you sit on

Do the objects around us influence our style, or does our style dictate the objects around us? Probably a bit of both. Little by little, we tend to surround ourselves with objects that respond to our personal sense of aesthetics. We are attracted to certain brands which we identify with, that emulate the lifestyle we would love to have.

As in the opening scene of ‘101 Dalmatians’, we thought it might be interesting to match people up a chair that reflects their fashion sense.

This gentleman’s style has a distinct ‘old world’ flair, the nostalgia of which is translated in the ‘Rememberme’ chair, made by upcycling its owner’s discarded clothes.  

Prints love company, and the more you put together, the better it looks. You can’t go much more overboard than the ‘Binta’ chair by Moroso, or so you’d think until someone in a colorful printed coat sits on it. 

For those lazy weekends spent lounging around eating bonbons and cotton candy, what better than a huge pink sheet of a dress and a matching slouchy armchair? 

For those who prefer a nice chunky wool sweater (or dress), the ‘Biknit’ by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso has that same ‘my mother made it’ feel, although in a slightly larger scale.

If you dress for rain on bright sunshiny days, then vinyl might be your upholstery of choice. For a glossy-purple man like the gentleman pictured above, the strict lines and bright colors of the ‘Cabrio’ by Piero Lissoni for Living Divani make perfect sense. 

 

The chair equivalent of a bold pinstriped suit with a little flair is the ‘Paper Planes’ by Moroso. It says “I’m functional but I’m not afraid to have a little fun!”

For some people, everything just comes up roses. 

by Claire Toussaint

Café Müller

In this modern dance piece, which is set in the café Pina Bausch used to frequent during her childhood years in post-war Germany, chairs play an integral role. Crowding the stage, they outnumber the dancers and are constantly moved around and thrown about during the performance.

In anticipation of the next production of ‘Café Mueller’, here is a selection of chairs we think would constitute the best corps de chaise:

The Armchair 423  by Artek has similar stark lines to the chair used in the 1985 Café Muller production (above), but with arm which would increase the desired impression of clutter  and congestion. 

Chair 66, by Alvar Aalto for Artek, has a distinctly Scandinvian look which keeps the intended institutional feel, without being so ‘interrogation room’.

 Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara and revived by Artek, the ‘Domus’ chair’s arm structure has the elbowy-awkwardness yet strange beauty of Bausch’s choreography.

Masters Chair

A lot lighter and easily stackable, the ‘Masters’ chair by Philippe Starck for Kartell seems like it would be the set crew’s first pick, although its dainty legs and expressive lines indubitably identify it one of the dancers. 

Neve chair

With its tightly bowed curves, the ‘Neve’ chair by Piero Lissoni speaks more to the aftermath of the war on the Eastern front (Café Murakami?).

 Tudor chair

Because you can’t put a ‘Naval’ chair on the stage at the Opera Garnier, the ‘Tudor’ chair by Jaime Hayon for Established and Sons is a good dressier option for a more lavish interior.

 As far as dance performances go, ‘Café Mueller’ has a fair amount of stunts. Between constantly bumping into the furniture and falling out of each other’s arms, it’s a surprise the dancers don’t turn black and blue after a few performances.  Why not limit the damage by putting out nice comfy ‘Sacco’ chairs rather than the usual hard-edged seat?

Victoria ghost

What better way to make reference to the ghost of chairs past, than by specifying the ‘Ghost’ chair itself? Also makes the bumping into furniture all the time a lot more credible, bringing the focus back to the dancers. 

Meda Slim

Putting on ‘Café Mueller’ with the theater/dance group from work? The ‘Meda Slim’ by Antonio Citterio for Vitra is the perfect chair for an office production of this compelling work.

 And lastly, let us not forget our cherished bambini and their end of the year show: the ‘N65’ children’s chair by Artek should do the trick.

Claire Toussaint

All Dressed Up

It’s award season, a time to get gussied-up in your finest upholstery.

Here is our best-dressed list: 

Under cover

The F-A-B chair by Stockholm-based studio Farg & Blanche definitely lives up to its acronym.

Its thin, discreet design has the hanger-like qualities of a runway-model, making it the perfect mannequin for the upholstered dresses that were created for it. 

This ‘paper doll’ system makes for a rapid and seamless ‘day-to-night’ transition, the home-décor equivalent of a dash of black eyeliner and a couple extra drops of No 5 for the more subtle choices, all the way to a fully sequined dress and loud lipstick for the more daring options.

How we roll

Slightly more naked when undressed, Noe Duchaufour Lawrance’s latest chair for  Petites Fritures, the ‘Market’, is a bare frame with a slatted cover draped over it.

The ‘Market’s structure is stackable without the cover, which means the latter is left free to lie on the beach, or make giant maki rolls with. 

All Wrapped up

The ‘Kiru’, by Giopato+Coombes for Living Divani, has all the careful folding of a Kimono. Makes sense, as its name is derived from the Japanese verb ‘to wear’.

Its continuously smiling, bottom-heavy seat and puckered dimples give the ‘Kiru’ the presence of a happy Buddha; a good place to sit cross-legged and drink chai. 

Cozy Cloak 

Nicely draped under a thick wool cover, the ‘Cape’ sofa by Konstantin Grcic for Established and Sons has a bit of a slumber-party-superhero vibe. Add popcorn, a tween adventure movie and Spiderman-pajamas for the perfect night in.

A Little Negligee 

A little innocent and a little scandalous, Flos’ ‘Rosy Angelis’ by Philippe Starck sports one short and transparent flouncy skirt, exposing its gracefully thin pins.

Straight laced

Nika Zupanc’s ‘Modesty’ sofa is all business in front, with a little bit of boudoir in the back…   

by Claire Toussaint