The state of repose can be one of two things: elegant or inelegant. In a world in which we push ourselves to blur the line between work and “real life,” bringing our chores into the office and likewise dragging professional assignments back home onto the couch with us at the end of each day, it’s all too easy to slide comfortably into a hunched-over position in which we seem to have given up all hope of decent posture.

Just for kicks, we’ve rounded up a quintet of artful chairs that almost inherently make their upright inhabitants look rather sophisticated as well. From the sleek and simple lines of the Panton side chair and Modern Bamboo Spring chair to the cozy luxury of the Peanut chair from Zelfo Australia, one could coin a phrase from a nearly-forgotten pop song and say these five pieces are doing their part to “bring sexy back” to the moment of physical pause.

Photo credits: Elle Decor, Niels & Sven, Verner Panton, The Daily Green (x2)

 

In most contemporary furniture, the clean lines and minimalistic nature of the form doesn’t make you think of a creature-like identity. Korean designer, Jinyoung Choi has redefined the term “scary” with a modern twist in the ‘Monster Chair’. Creativity meets contemporary styling in this seat that looks as comfortable as its unique, melding black metal and animal-like proportions.

If you never thought you’d be attracted to a piece of furniture that morphed its identity from the idea of an evil creature, think again, the Monster Chair may surprise you.

Besides its form, the chair actually has a multifunctional personality that makes it more than just a resting place to read a book.

“It is called the Monster Chair because of this chair form. It has a hole on the front which looks like a monster mouth. The short legs make you think of a little monster. The black color of this chair might be identical of an evil thing. But, this chair is an interesting piece of furniture, and besides its practical use, as a place to seat it may also become a place to deposit things.”… Furnipure

The functional area is where the ‘mouth’ of the chair resides. Use this area as a coffee table to store books, paper, or even hold your purse that you don’t want to rest on the floor. When designers have the ability to interplay a whimsical nature along with a utilitarian purpose to their decorative pieces, this is design in its purest form.

‘…This “underlines the existence of furniture itself and the person sitting on that,” as Choi puts it…’ Furnipure

Whether you are looking for a conversation piece for your living room or you enjoy having contemporary furniture that looks as good as its story, the Monster Chair is for you. This chair is created for those who enjoy a little whimsy in their everyday home.

All photo credits: Furnipure

Often in life, we feel like we’re chasing our tails and rather literally running around in circles. Today’s image roundup here at Interior Complex focuses on the whimsical art of crafting chairs out of materials malleable enough to mold into perfect — or at least near-perfect — circles to continue the spherical theme.

From the old-world coziness of the Esfera chair, above, evocative of a grandfather’s study, to the austerity of the vintage cane and Acapulco chairs presented in natural woods and wickers, the circular chair takes on many levels of comfort and style, encompassing us in a never-ending curve.

Sort of a metaphor for life itself, isn’t it?

Photo credits: Etel, Regardless of Where You Are, Apartment Therapy and Real Living

If you think only people can walk the fashion runways in gorgeous frocks, then think again! Take a look at your furniture slipcovers and see if they look frumpy and worn, or are they fashionable enough to be mistaken for couture fashions.

Bernotat & Co has designed a new line of chair slipcovers that are stylish, modern and gorgeous. Whether you are looking for versatility in your living room or you want to repurpose your dining room chairs, look at these creative fashion ideas in slipcovers.

Bernotat & Co “Unveiled at this year’s Milan Furniture Fair, the custom-made “wardrobe” adds style, comfort and versatility to staid furnishings”… Inhabitat

Chair Wear is Bernotat & Co’s latest creation who says, ‘Why buy a new chair when you can dress up the one you have? During this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan, we will present CHAIR WEAR, custom-made clothing for chairs”… Bernotat & Co

These unique designs were unveiled at Milan’s Furniture fair and Chair Wear is definitely a twist on the traditional chair slipcover. Whether you prefer a streamlined and simple cover or a bubbly and cozy variety, there is an option for your design style. Ranging in different colors, materials and textures, Chair Wear is like picking out your favorite outfit to wear to a party!

“Conceived by Anke Bernotat and Jan Jacob Borstlap, Chair Wear is especially great for new homeowners, as it offers the look of a high-design home, when you’re really on a thrift store budget. The pieces harmonize with vintage, new and classic chairs, creating a dialogue between old and new.”… Inhabitat

In addition to their beautiful and whimsical silhouettes, each slipcover also provides cushioning to make the ordinary hard chair more comfortable to sit in. What a fun idea for your interiors. A wardrobe for your furniture that can change with the mood you are in. There will be no more wondering… “What should my furniture wear today?”

All photo credits: Bernotat

With Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby tumbling together one short day over the weekend, most of us started the week a little more slowly than usual.  So, to give the masses what they want, we’re making today’s link roundup an ode to the act of reclining.

First up, Hungeree shares the muffin pouffe ottoman (above) from Matteo Bianchi, sure to send cupcake bakery owners on a shopping spree to snap them up by the dozen.

Keeping with the spherical theme, Eco First Art shares (and sells) this Bouquet Chair by Tokujin Yoshioka, built sustainably and reminding us a bit of a peony or dandelion:

Taking a string of recycled plastic and spinning it into an endless continuation is Dutch designer Dirk Van der Kooij, with his Endless Chair we found over at Daily Tonic:

Furniture Fashion sits down to a good home-cooked meal with its roundup of 10 gorgeous dining room sets, including everything from mid-century modern bird-leg chairs to fur-covered farm table benches…

…California Home + Design shares an eye-popping array of neon home accessories, including a few poptastic chairs in bright, bold hues…

…and last but not least, a chair roundup isn’t a chair roundup without a link to all things Eames, courtesy of the fine folks at Herman Miller. In homage to the couple that sparked a design movement with legs that have lasted for decades, pull up a chair, have a seat and stay a while.

Photo credits: Hungeree, Eco First Art and Daily Tonic

There once was a time for all of us when sitting at the kids’ table was a cross we had to bear each holiday season until we finally made the coveted upgrade to wooden chairs and adult conversation.

The folding chairs of yesteryear — those blasted metal squeakfests of frustration — are slowly being replaced by eco-friendly, aesthetically-pleasing (and in some cases, much more comfortable) counterparts. Some fold, some stack, some do both, and some just sort of fold into the sleek silver tables above them like something straight out of a spaceship.

So move over, sad metal folding chairs… you’re being replaced.

Photo credits: Gioia Design, Dieter Paul, Calligaris and Mogens Koch

Yvonne Fehling and Jennie Peiz blend the lines of chairs, stools and benches into an amalgam of group seating with their Stuhlhockerbank series, made entirely of wood and presented in an avant garde fashion that commands a second look.

The design duo explain: “Over and above the pure purposiveness of a piece of furniture, the objects come with narrative elements. They seem familiar and yet at the same time surprising, enhanced by a sensual and poetic dimension.”

In some cases forcing interaction where there otherwise would be none between those seated near one another on an element of the series, Fehling and Peiz’s creation is as much a social psychology experiment as it is a finite design series.

The duo has also released collections called Filet and Hockerbank, each with a lighthearted, playful approach to seating of its own. Fehling and Peiz’s design practice is based in Denmark.

Photo credits: Yvonne Fehling and Jennie Peiz

If you’ve ever felt like those special champagne-worthy moments in life were just… missing something…  perhaps a dose of meta-celebration could have come in handy. A Gloucestershire-based company called Impulse Purchase has just the thing (i.e., both an extra level of revelry and a perfect impulse purchase, as its name suggests): a set of enormous champagne corks that act as bar stools.

It’s a new twist on the classic burlesque act staging a life-sized champagne glass as a giant bubble bath, and perhaps more family-friendly as well. The stools, made from Portuguese cork, are claimed by the company to be “eco-friendly,” which we presume means the trees from which they’re made are grown in a sustainable fashion and limits are placed on manufacturing.

If that’s the case, these stools are a guilt-free way to cozy up to the bar at home to ring in the new year, celebrate a birthday or any of life’s other memorable moments.

As of this posting, the stools are only available in the UK. Elsewhere, Amazon offers a similar version.

Photo credits: Impulse Purchase via Not on the High Street

 

For most people, the idea of relaxing in a comfortable chair and enjoying nature around them is the perfect end to a hectic day. What if I told you that you could enjoy a sitting area that doubles as an eco-friendly terrarium to enjoy growing plants within the same piece of furniture? Designer Fiore Arcangelo has designed the innovative ECOO terrarium chair made from clear polycarbonate so you can see nature unfold under your own seat, literally.

The beauty of terrariums in general is the ability to house a small ecosystem for plants to thrive and grow beautifully in miniature. The ECOO chair combines a relaxing spot to enjoy nature and provide an eco-friendly way to beautify your interiors with greenery, but in life-size.

Most terrariums are miniature and hung in small containers or even light bulbs as a decorative display at a windowsill or even at a home office desk. If you could bottle this same ingenuity in your furniture, how fabulous would that be? Arcangleo designed the chair that would answer this question.

Arcangelo comments on his multifunctional terrarium chair, “ECOO is… perfectly adaptable to each type of ambiance, thanks to its elegance and clean form, and is conceived in the category of medium-large seating, with a red steel frame base.” …Fiore Arcangelo via Treehugger

How does the chair work? The upper part of the seat is where water and air are brought through, while the lower area houses the growing plant. The cornucopia shape of the chair allows the plants to reach larger sizes as well as keep the occupant comfortable in a sitting position.

Arcangelo has proved once again that eco-friendly innovations for the home are created everyday to house multiple functions beautifully, just like nature.

All photo credits: Fiore Arcangelo

In a world of so many options, why do you have to settle on one configuration for your home furniture? Seating in your home is one of those decisions where you buy a set and it remains in your living or family room for years, and you are stuck with the same design aesthetic until you decide to get new furniture.

K-Nap has changed the perception of stagnant furniture with the introduction of their K-Nap03 flexible configuration seating. You will love the whimsical and infinite number of ways you can change the look and function of your interiors.

“Its light weight and simple form lets you play with it and combine it in as many ways as your imagination allows, transforming places as diverse as children’s bedrooms and hotel concourses.”… K-Nap

Available in 15 colors, these eye catching individual seats will fit together in multiple configurations to make a couch, lounge area or even multi-directional seating for groups of people to sit comfortably. The options are limitless and can accommodate a large living room with several pieces, or a single seat can still make your hip apartment look stellar.

Designer Jean-Jacques Landis made the chairs from polyether foam and the outside covering slips off and is machine washable! For those of you that love to throw parties or have kids and pets, these chairs can solve your lifestyle and decor challenges in one simple seating solution.

For all those evenings where your friend wants a place to crash at your house, or your children have their friends over, the K-Nap03 is the answer to beautiful seating that you won’t get tired of after the first year you have it.

Designer Landis has come up with a creative solution that your interiors will look great housing. Between the fun colors and all the different placements, you may have a different look in your living room every day!

All photo credits: K-Nap

Journalist Sydney J. Harris once said, “The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” And we have to say, the man had a point. With lives as busy as can be, sometimes we just have to take a stand… and sit down.

To that end (pun intended), today’s roundup is all about gorgeous and interesting receptacles for our stressed-out muscles and minds to sink into from time to time.

First, our latest obsession: Eco First Art, which curates and sells a host of environmentally conscious objets d’art from clothing and jewelry to furniture and… well, art. In particular, we’re loving the cardboard chaise lounge prototype, above, from Joel Stearns.

Next, Unica Home shares this supremely sublime botanical chair from Kenneth Cobonpue… in fact, it just might be the most sensuous seat we’ve ever laid eyes on:

Apartment Therapy comes through, as always, with a beautiful piece on the Three-Piece Chair by Riva 1920, featuring a chair, ottoman and side table all in one:

Furniture Fashion checks in with its daily 10 roundup, this time featuring ten memorable modern sofas from updated Chesterfields to whacked-out neon tufted freeform pieces…

…Horchow, elegant as ever, calls four sets of outdoor furniture to our attention, including some sumptuous seating just in time for summer…

…and we’ll top off today’s link series with a post from Manhattan Home that offers a personal glimpse into the life of the blogger (a college student!) and shows us two sofas he can’t stop pining over. (Nice to know we’re not the only obsessives over here.)

Photo credits: Eco First Art, Unica Home and Apartment Therapy.

The swirl of a swizzle stick, the ruby hue of a great Port, a drop of perspiration along the side of a hard-earned tallboy… there are times when a perfect glass of wine, an ice-cold cocktail or a cold beer is in order, and that’s all there is to it.

For those of us who love to entertain, an eye-catching set of barstools can be a conversation starter in and of itself and even heighten the experience simply by adding a dash of style.

Above, Formstelle offers a beautifully simple wood rendering of the watering hole staple that can take up residence in a private home, while Lumisource offers a equally gorgeous but slightly curvier version below.

World-renowned designer Karim Rashid brings his signature style to the art of the stool with sensual, undulating lines and bold, bright colors in what he calls the “Skoop” collection:

Horchow has us seeing circles with its ironwork piece topped off with a traditional seat, looking equally at home in a roadside bar or an upscale home with an eye for style:

Italian designer Itamar Harari gets rather literal with his Manhattan Martini barstool, providing a very meta experience each time an actual martini is involved:

And Ibebi brings the bounce — and the beat — with its Bongo series, available in a wider range of colors than shown here but equally striking in just one hue, and absolutely divine in white:

This six-pack in particular is but the tip of the, er… ice cube; the aesthetic offerings available in sleek, ultra-modern bar furniture are about as endless as the average mixologist’s imagination.

So line ‘em up Joe, and make it one for our baby and one for the road.

Photo credits: Formstelle, Lumisource, Karim Rashid, Horchow, Harari and Ibebi.

Remember those first few nights in your first apartment (or two, or four) when all the furniture was covered with boxes and the only place to sit was the floor? There’s something undeniably special about eating pizza or Chinese takeout on the floor of a new space — partly because it’s a new place to call home, of course, but partly because sitting on the floor reminds us of when we were kids.

Let’s face it: it’s not something most of us do often as adults.

Today, we’ve pulled together a series of floor cushions so elegant, it doesn’t matter how much time you spend sitting on them or what you do while you’re there; they still seem regal, even though they’re the farthest thing there could possibly be from a throne.

Taxes, for example, are every bit as acceptable to the IRS whether you crunched your numbers while hunched over a writing desk or handled them at your leisure while sprawled out on your living room floor in comfort. The same is true of phone calls, emails, face-to-face conversations and homework; when we’re comfortable, even the most mundane tasks are somehow less terrible.

And let’s not forget recreation. Fluffy, substantial floor cushions are fantastic alternatives for movie night, particularly when the house is overflowing with guests who just want to relax. They’re equally stunning when presented around a low-slung dinner table for sumptuous, intimate Indian-style dining.

Lest anyone think they’re a lesser form of seating, we present this handsomely-appointed black and white living room. These black suede floor cushions don’t diminish the sophistication of the space; on the contrary, they rather ironically bring it to new heights instead.

Photo credits: Remodelista, 2 Modern, Southern PiPhi and Decorpad.