Generally when I think of sectional seating a large, overly plush couch with too many throw pillows and a 90 degree angle comes to mind, the kind you sink into and can't get up out of without a helping hand. The "Pantonova" couch is something else altogether though, made of chrome steel it consists of 4 pieces that fit together to form a very cool looking (and also very uncomfortable looking) 74" sofa. Designed in 1971 it still looks modern and contemporary, and although cushions aren't included (you can ask about getting them though, for an additional charge) I think you would definitely need them (sitting on this couch without them brings to mind the infamous "waffle print thighs" that result from certain types of lawn furniture). $5,000
Bright vibrant hues are totally in this season on the fashion front and if you want to translate the look over to your home decor also then a few pieces from the Star System collection would do the trick. Featuring candy colors in solid shades of orange, blue, purple, fuchsia, and white the set includes 4 versions from the small one-seater Starlet to the full-fledged Superstar. The "stars" are created with removable steel buttons (why would you want to remove them?) and the whole look is, to me, a combination of relaxed and in-your-face. Very glamorous.
The Chubby armchair by Marcel Wanders is an interesting combination of cute, sleek, and modern all wrapped into one design. Looking like it was formed out of colorful Play Dough, the chair is smooth and round and looks outrageously comfortable -- although for real relaxing a higher back would probably be nice. It's available in 5 colors (white, black, green, red, and orange) and there's also a coordinating footstool called Chubby Low (see it in the gallery below) that looks like an overgrow piece of chewing gum. Good times.
The RD4 Chair ("roughly drawn") is a great example of form meets function. Originally created by Richard D. Liddle back in 2006, it's now been revamped for a special limited edition series. The RD4 LE* has all the open-weave airiness of the original design but with more defined legs and what looks to me to be a slightly tighter or thicker composition. Made of 100% recycled plastic waste this chair is just as good for the environment as it is for your decor. 100 LE* chairs are available total, 50 in green and 50 in black. $1,548
Suitable for either indoor or outdoor use, the Gownchair takes its inspiration from both the fashion are art worlds. It has a sweeping flowy shape that has it looking just as much a sculpture as a chair. Certain to be one of the boldest items in any room, the Gownchair is bright red with an eye catching glossy finish and it's made 100% of fiberglass that is painted using the same technology used in the automotive industry to paint cars. Available in limited edition (each is numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity) only 2 remain for $2,105 each.
This is one bright purple couch! The Misfits Modular Sofa both looks like something out of a cartoon and acts like something out of a cartoon with its many shapes and configurations. It consists of corner and central elements along with two footstools, all of which can be arranged pretty much however you want. According to Unica Home the sofa elements "look natural as if shaped by wind and sea," but in my opinion they look more as if shaped by a Muppet. Although I do like it I don't think I could ever take it seriously! It really looks like like something meant to play on, not to relax and have an adult conversation on. Designed by Ron Arad the pieces are sold separately for $3,489 - $7,235.
The Vermelha Chair would certainly be a unique addition to your home as it looks like a strange mess of string that happened to land in the form of a seat. It starts as a steel-framed wrap-around armchair form, which is then covered meticulously by hand with 500 yards of a special rope. The rope has an acrylic center and a cotton surface, and it's woven intentionally to look haphazard. It looks like the Vermelha Chair only comes in this one shade of bright pink though, so fitting it into your home's decor may be a bit of a challenge. $6320
Designed by Philip Starck, the Ero |S| Swivel chair is modern functional simplicity at its finest. I'm not quite sure what the naked models do for the advertising (other than make you feel like you need to clean the chair before you sit in it) but despite them I think these egg-shaped chairs look cool and relatively comfortable. They come in this pedestal version that swivels, in a version with legs, and one that has wheels. Plus there are lots of color options (both transparent and opaque). Polycarbonate and chrome, $485-$700.
Do you have a favorite comfy chair? One that you can sink into and suddenly all your stresses seem to float away? Well Hoverit, a British company, is introducing their latest in stress relieving and lounging technology: The Limited Edition Lounger. The concept is that you'll feel like you're floating on air because you will actually be floating on air...in a sense. Powerful magnets set to repel each other make the lounger feel like a big comfy hoverboard, and as an added benefit the magnets may also help with various health issues.
The chair may look cool in a futuristic and techie way, but other than the "floating" part it hardly looks cool in a comfortable way. Why are they so anti-cushion?
Not sure what this beauty costs, but I'm willing to bet it's more than your average furniture mart recliner chair.
A chair completely plated in 24k gold probably doesn't strike you initially as 'environmentally friendly,' but designer Frederik Mattson had the Earth and the deforestation problem in mind when he created this unique piece of glitzy furniture. Intended as a throwback to the less wasteful varnishing ways of old, coating all the surfaces of the Golden Chair in gold means all imperfections in the wood are hidden from view, which in turn means less wood is discarded in search of knot-free and blemish free pieces. I'm not sure how completely green this chair is (considering gold is not a sustainable resource) but I will say the little heart stamped on the side is adorable.
The Pencil Bench, created by Boex on a whim after a conversation about whether everyday objects could be made into furniture, not only makes sitting on pencils fun but also (dare I say) comfortable? It sounds nice and cushy considering each of the 1600 pencils is individually sprung. And, should you need to write something each of those same pencils can be removed and used. Do you think they come pre-sharpened?
The Pencil Bench isn't in production right now, but I have a hard time believing it won't be soon. What a fun accent item in an office at work or home!
It's called simply "Bubble," and although it's a pretty thing at first glance it's not particularly obvious what it's purpose is exactly. What does a bubble do? Well apparently this one is meant to sit on.
Even after hearing it I don't quite get it -- it looks a little uncomfortable to sit on because it's made of plexiglass-like material, so that shape is what your bum gets. But they are super cute, especially in a little group. They come in blue, yellow, red, or clear, and your choice of round (shown) or cylindrical, and cost £99.
The Mummy Chair! It sounds a little scary but it isn't really -- it actually looks quite comfy. Nothing like taking the hard edges off what looks to be a fairly standard dining chair. Designed by Peter Tragg in 2005, it's created by covering a beech-wood chair and polyurethane foam with polyester ribbon. There are 5 different "Mummies" in the collection and aside from the black and gray they all have a decidedly whimsical feel because of the bright colors. Made in Italy, $1010.
Those who have visited St. Andrew's golf course in Scotland may see something familiar in this bench - it was inspired by the Swilken Bridge on the 18th green of that course. Made from reclaimed flooring, the gently curved seating surface sweeps across a 70" long expanse, coming to rest on concrete bases at either end. The bench measures 16.5" wide x 18.5" high and can be used indoors or out. Available in solid walnut or maple, it is from Acronym Designs and sells for $3500.
I've always loved the idea of chaise lounge chairs, but somehow I've managed never to have one. I'll have to fix that, and I'm thinking this Poltrona Chaise Lounge is very appealing. It has simple, classic lines, with the most attractive feature (for somebody moody like me anyway) being it's flexibility to either serve as a long inviting recliner or a straight-backed and more formal chair. Designed by Stefan Heiliger and available from Bonaldo, the Poltrano is available in either black or beige.
I know I said I wanted a chaise, but I personally think it looks the best converted to the chair!
