Thursday, January 17, 2013

Chair-y On!

As you know, we have been completing our laundry room reno.  It is almost ready for the big reveal - but Mr. WMM had to interrupt the painting yeaterday morning to tear out a shelf that we plan to remove as part of our family room redo.  When I asked why he didn't just finish the other room first he looked at me like I was a complete idiot and said "but this let me break something!"  Sigh...  Last night he went back to painting, until some next opportunity to break something legitimately comes along...

One of the challenges of this next room is that we need a new chair.  The room currently has a dark beige sectional in a tough frabric - a good neutral and no reason to replace except for new pillows that will echo the pale watercolour-y blue on the upper wall.  There is also a large chair and ottoman.  A large chair and ottoman that was always frankly too big for the room.  It must go that place where all superfluous items must go - kajiji!  (does kajiji exist in the US or Europe?)

In the interim, I am searching both locally and online for a new chair.  The chair must

a) be compact (no rolled arms or large footprint)
b) yet large enough for the two men of the house who are over 6'3" to sit in
c) be comfortable enough to sit and watch TV in (this is a family room afterall)
d) have some forgiveness for stains
e) ideally, would echo the pale blues or watery greens I will also be decorating with

It is difficult to find nice furniture in my neck of the woods.   I have been to the two or three boutiques locally that have a small selection of furniture.  Now I am at a place where I am looking at the large furniture stores and online.  My chair must be comfortable, but elegant.  Do you think I am asking too much?

Pottery Barn does not ship to Canada, but I could have it shipped to Calais Maine and then go across for it.  A couple of the contenders:

The Tudor Armchair:

Tudor Armchair

The Kendall Slip Chair - this would likely not be a hit with husband and son:


Kendall Slipper Chair


Or perhaps the Tudor Chair in Stripe:

Tudor Armchair


Decor-rest is a Canadian Company, that I am sure I could order items in from as likely one of our furniture shops has a relationship with them.

Two chairs I really like by them:

A lovely blue chair by CobiStyle (Cobi Ladner was the former editor of Canadian House and Home Magazine) which I am quite partial to and which I think would look nice in our family room:


Not sure if it would be comfortable enough for the loungers in my house.

or perhaps this one:


Any ideas of other spots I could find a nice chair online that ships to Canada? 

Any one else in the throes of reno-ing or redecorating?

And why is it so difficult to find a small-ish comfortable chair?????

Have a great day out there - am off for a mammogram this morning,  Ouch!

Stay Safe out there!

29 comments:

  1. Have you considered a smaller, leather recliner. There are some incredibly good looking ones out there these days. I was an interior designer for 25 years, and that's probably what I'd recommend. The chair will get some much wear and tear, that I know from experience, the fabric will look quite shabby fast. And since you're used to an ottoman, a recliner will give that option (actually more comfy) and when in the upright position, will still have a normal footprint.

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  2. We did think of a compact recliner. The leather is a no-go. We do have two leather recliners upstairs (not tacky ones I assure you!) but no one sits in them because they find the leather cold. So that is a no-go from family's perspective.

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    1. But you are right a compact recliner is the way to go! Are you aware of any leathers that don't seem so cold?

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    2. Oh growing up I had a big squishy leather armchair, it was so comfy, it was never really cold but then our heating is always cranked up high.

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    3. Leathers that are heavy, and have a matte finish, rather than thin and shiny tend to be warmer, and I do find that as leather ages, it sort of warms up as it gets squishy. A nice, cozy afghan draped over the arm, is something that makes it feel and look cozy, and a way to bring in the other colors you want as well.

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    4. Hi Kathy - I think you are right. - a matte finish is much warmer! Will take a look!

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  3. I can't sit in chairs that don't have arms, I flop about like a fish, but I do like all of your other choices.
    kajiiji - nop you've got me there.

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    1. It is like local online buy-sell-swap

      I may work on family on leather. Husband needs arms, too!

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  4. I agree with the flopping around in an armless chair that Tab mentions, lol good imagery. Kathy makes a good point, there are some amazing leather recliners, my Dad has some in his family room and they are comfy and I don't even like leather. I often wish I was in his family room, sitting in that chair with a big glass of wine while ole Dad cooks up dinner in his kitchen...
    I bought a chair from our family room from Ikea and it's a piece of garbage! The legs fall off all the time which tilts a person here and there. It's so annoying, I just moved it to my daughters room where it looks nice and doesn't get much use.
    Come to think of it my Dad has another recliner in a very textured upholstery fabric that hides stains yet is so cozy. Maybe something like that?
    I like that blue Cobi chair it seems very you! But agree it may not be big enough for those tall guys.

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    1. Okay - will now search out some small recliners! The same is afoot! I did see a gorgeous Barrymore one for $1300 on sale from $3000, but it was upholstered in ecru. I love my husband and son, but since it is not slip-covered, the ecru would last about a week...

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  5. I also can't get comfortable in a slipper chair. The boys would love a recliner now that the hockey strike is over. They have really fine tailored them now and look great.

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    1. Thanks Marsha - BTW - did you see my response to you over at Tab's place yesterday and us hitting all scottish pubs sans husbands???

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    2. Yeah loved it.Looks like Auntie Dani will be looking after the kids.

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  6. SWEET CHAIR-ITY WMM, I kind of squirm to suggest this. But since it is family room and they have revamped with Brooke Shields in mind, have you taken a look at La-Z-Boy?
    I think it would be comparable to Pottery Barn pricing, but I know they can ship in Maritimes from Hfx stores. And their quality is still pretty solid. I also think Leon's (ack) can order some of their furniture (takes 6 weeks or so).
    http://www.la-z-boy.com/Furniture/Chairs/?WT.ac=products_chairs@sidemenu

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  7. I too find leather cold. Arms are a must, so I go with washable Slipcovers. Since most of my chairs and sofas in California are white, I'm always amazed at how dirty furniture gets.
    Most of the furniture manufacturers in North Carolina (where most case goods are made) will ship to Canada. A quick google search brought up this site- http://www.highpointfurniture.com/. Which is a good starting point. I've purchased a lot of my things this way and saved a fortune in beautiful things.
    Good luck. Can perfectly relate to the hubs "just needing to break something". What is it with men? Oh yeah, they're men!

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    1. Thanks! I think they break because they are all still 12 years old!

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    2. You give them too much credit...I vote for eight year olds:-)

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  8. Got to have arms on my chairs. I might be the wrong person to answer this post because we just ordered a biiiiiiig leather chair & ottoman (probably too big for room but...). We have a leather couch and recliner already, it is great for messy boys. The recliner is from Ethan Allen, but I am a bit reluctant to recommend. We have a couch and loveseat from there that have held up great, but the recliner lists slightly to the side when it is reclined. I can't notice it, but visually it's a little tilted. It is the most popular seat in the house, though, always my first choice, and really for all the use it gets it is holding up well, going on 10+ years so I can't complain. The leather couch (not from EA) is also quite comfortable and very deep (too deep for shorties like you and me) but great if you are going to curl up in it. I wish the back cushions were attached, though. They get squished down and look atrocious. It never feels cold to me, I have chenille pillows and blankets on it too. The leather on our furniture is more of a distressed leather, maybe that makes a difference.

    I agree with A Well Styled Life that the North Carolina furniture companies make good stuff. I have some Lexington furniture that is just beautiful, dovetailed etc. Once or twice, one of the NC furniture companies drove a truck on our street and it was full of furniture that they were selling right out of the open door! Didn't buy anything, but wouldn't it be awesome if J. Crew would drive their truck down our streets and we could shop out of the truck? lol!! Off to drop this idea in Mickey's "Suggestion Box"... :-)

    So I would suggest looking at Ethan Allen, their pricepoints aren't outrageous and the quality is decent. I'd look at Lazy Boy too.

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    1. Checked Ethan Allen site, we have the "Townsend" recliner, if you wanted to look at it.

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    2. Thanks Cate! OMG - if a furniture truck or a JCrew or Kate Spade or Sephora truck started coming down the street, I would be done for!!!

      thanks - will go take a look!

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  9. Whatever you get go for down cushions! A must for comfy lounging!

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    1. Funny - I sat on a chair with down cushions this am - was divine!

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  10. Check out Room and Board

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  11. Try Crate and Barrel. Have purchased lots of couches, chairs and dining room furniture from them.. Found it to be good quality and comfortable. We have the Axis couch which is comfortable for my bigger, taller husband. They make an Axis chair that might work - haven't looked to see what other chairs they might have. I live in Kingston, ON and we order from Toronto - the furniture is delivered by truck. Maybe they would ship from there or there might be one closer to you? Just a thought...

    Love your blog - check it every night - brightens my day - you are an inspiration to us all!

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    1. Thank you Anonymous! I will check Crate and Barrel and thank you for the kind words! You made my day!

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  12. I second the C&B furniture, it's well made for the price. Don't buy a slipper chair. They are only comfortable for short periods, there is a reason why chairs have arms!

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  13. Nice blog, much gratitude for sharing this article. Check our collection of Decor Rest Furniture in Vancouver.

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