Chesterfield Madness

Modern interpretations of  the classic chesterfield sofa have been trending strongly for several years.

For the more technical folks: The term "chesterfield" is a Canadian term equivalent to couch or sofa. The use of the term has been found to be widespread among older Canadians, but is quickly vanishing from Canadian English according to one survey done in the Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario in 1992.^[4] In the United Kingdom, the word refers to a particular style of sofa featuring a low rolled back and deep buttoning.

For you visual types, here are my favorite interpretations of the chesterfield. In some cases I use the term interpretation VERY loosely:

Ahhhh the sofa at the top of the frenzy (Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams)

Traditional Upscale Manufacturer Drexel Heritage getting their hipster groove on, above and below.

Horchow/Neiman Marcus' stylish selections:

Some crazy/glam tufted fabulousness from Haute House. I love their boldness!

Some other great inspirations for you-when on a hunt for a specific look, bring photos of your style as your search! It helps furniture stores help you!

Sunbrella-Blending Style and Practicality.

Indoor/Outdoor Fabrics have rapidly evolved over the last 10 years. I have seen (and specified) soft textured stripes and even faux chenille textures-all for INDOOR upholstery. Sunbrella leads the way in durable fabrics and supplies the higher end fabric houses such as Kravet, Robert Allen, Pindler and Pindler, etc.

Most of us know sunbrella fabrics apply to outdoor furniture and awnings, but they are beautiful and practical indoors:

GREAT examples from Joe Ruggiero and Sunbrella-Modern, clean upholstery done in outdoor fabric. These aren't your neighbors patio chairs! Obviously Sunbrella does well in sunlight-no need to worry about fabric fading in UV rays. But the most overlooked and valuable benefit of the fabric is how difficult it is to stain! If a child spills his juice box, the doggie jumps up with muddy paws, or glass of wine is spilled-chances are it won't even soak into the fabric to create a stain. Just wipe up and forget about it!

GREAT Idea to do a headboard and coverlet in Sunbrella. Ever fall asleep with hair products still in your hair? Thats what I thought.

Does this look like patio furniture to YOU? I see chic, modern style.

Normal worries about wear and tear can be set at ease. Toddlers? Big Dogs? Yes, you can have a life and a stylish home. :)

Modern chic-in sunbrella!

(image via left brains for right brains)

A custom slipcover in Sunbrella fabric.

Playful

Modern/Nuetral

Striped

Looks like a printed linen, but it's sunbrella...

Questions? Ideas? Urges to reupholster? Email them over to Fiore Studio.

Design Dilemma: Barstools

Once in awhile I come across a design "delimma" worth sharing. This week its barstools. More specifically, counter stools. A design client is stressed over not being able to find shallow barstools and feels that barstools should be flush with the counter when not in use. I was asked to elaborate on what is "normal".

Well, unless you have a tight walkway (less than 36" from back of stool to wall/cabinet, etc) then don't stress over it. Stools need to be functional and have room for both adults and children to sit. I am a big believer in fine tuning the details of a home-but sometimes you need let practicality rule the day.

Below are the photos I emailed that client to help them understand the dilemma was normal. He returned his barstools anyway, and I am hoping the counter stool  journey comes to an end soon :)

All images via house beautiful

Local Love: Noir Furniture

Los Angeles based Noir Furniture WoW'd me at the last furniture show in Las Vegas. Known for having a "country modern" vibe, they are trending with the Belgian Aesthetic look that is so popular with designers right now.
They manufacture in China and Indonesia so finish selection is limited, but the pieces are striking. They have grown from a modest,  transitional import company to high style at affordable prices.

Noir is to the trade only, email if you need further info/pricing: info@fioreinteriors.com

Post High Point Market Trend Report-Klismos Inspired Chairs

I don't like doing a trend report during High Point, it interests me more to wait and gauge the responses from both clients and vendors. This week I will highlight several trendy undercurrents in the design world.
(Well, only the ones I liked of course.)
The earliest known form of Greek chair dates back to six or seven centuries before Christ!
We are still reinterpreting, and personalizing the classic design of the Greek Klismos Chair.

Thom Felicia for Vanguard Furniture, debuted October 2009.

The collection is pretty edgy and fresh. You may recognize him from TV's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (fun show but only showed a teeny glimpse of his talent).

by Newell Design/Decorati

by Donghia

Via House Beautiful, one of my favoritest magazine/websites on the planet:
No one's ever sat on an original Greek klismos chair, because not one has actually survived. Its popularity peaked around 400 B.C., but it was resurrected in the 18th century, when all things classical were the fashion. Since then it's been perennially beloved. From the moment we first spied it on ancient Greek pots, the elegant klismos has been reproduced, reinvented, refreshed, and retailed. It's the most popular chair we've never seen.
What actually makes a chair a klismos chair?
Basically, it's the concave top rail that's curved to embrace the shoulders of the sitter, and those four incurved saber legs. Some chairs have vertical or horizontal back splats and some have none. Because this element is seldom visible in the Greek original, we don't quite know what's "right." There are many variants with perfectly straight front legs, too, but they look clunky.
Are they only available in wood?
Until recently, the klismos form was primarily made of wood, although metal examples do exist. During the 20th century, however, the chair was manufactured in any new material that came along, and I've recently seen some in lacquer with gold leaf, and in clear acrylic. Occasionally, you'll find an example that's fully upholstered. I'm doubtful that this can be called a klismos, since a traditional attribute of this chair is its portability.

New Tate Dining Chair by Revco International

Martha Stewart Lyell Klismos Side Chair

The Palmer Outdoor Chair by Oly

This style chairs pairs with both traditional and modern styles, it simply depends on the specific reincarnation that strikes your fancy.

“I had three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society”

Henry David Thoreau