Who would have thought that a functional piece of furniture could become a signature extension of your personalityIJ Creating our comfort zone is now both a serious and creative business
That’s what a chair can do — create memories, hold your years and give comfort. With better organised spaces at home, there’s a place for a chair in different corners. It could be a sturdy lounger placed in the garden or sometimes an armless one found in the dining. Or perhaps a buoyant piece in the bedroom or yet another welcoming one at the porch for the convenience of your guests. Just flop down wherever your mood allows you to.
Ruled by luxury
The chair has undergone a design change in different centuries. From a simple four-legged article to elaborately carved or gilded affairs, the seat has often been indicative of the power one wields. The rich and the noble are known to have doled out money and commissioned their sit-downs, as if they were a piece of art — a trend that is fast making a comeback. “Over the last few years, I have seen a significant shift in consumer choices. There’s a desire to own iconic designs created over the last 100 years or so,” says Ashish Taneja, director of Zolijns. Digging out a piece from the past, he suggests the Charles Eames lounger for the study room. Designed over 50 years ago, the Eames lounge chair has 1950s retro written all over it. It’s a perfect chair to enjoy a book or perhaps a quick nap.
“The availability of well-designed homes with better organised spaces has made chairs a luxurious necessity. As the trend goes, chair connoisseurs look for statement pieces, like a Wing Chair in leather or the Dak Bangla chair,” says designer Bobby Agarwal.
Poolside pleasures
Where there’s a pool, can a recliner be left outIJ If maintaining outdoor furniture is a cause of concern, designers have their suggestions. “For the outdoors, chairs should be 100 per cent resistant to all kinds of weather conditions. Sunbrella and loomTex fabric should be used for outdoor chairs as it withstands fading, mildew soiling as well as wear and tear due to continuous exposure to the sun and rain,” suggests Rahul Jindal from looms Crafts Furnitures. Sun loungers by Vetra are designed, using high density polymer and stainless steel or aluminum make for chaise loungers. The collection is water and UV-resistant. So go ahead, modernise your patio or deck the poolside. Get, set and plunge!
Old is gold
The biggest influence on chairs has been from the Renaissance period in Europe. “It was in this period that the chair ceased to be a privilege reserved for royalty or dignified and was accepted as a standard household item instead,” says designer Dimple Kohli from Qboid. “The Western world is where it became customary to have cushion chairs with upholstery made of leather, velvet or silk,” she adds. “Upholstered chairs have always been colourful,” points out Agarwal. “However, painted metal, wooden and moulded chairs are finding place in homes now,” he is quick to add.