The most essential piece of furniture your room needs
An antique American painted chair pairs nicely next to a 19th Century Mongolian cabinet. Design: Time & Place Interiors
It’s Summertime, and I’m in the mood for easy-breezy living. As simple decorating goes, I can’t think of a method more effective than employing the single occasional chair — a staple of multifunctional style in any room.
A spare chair carries critical functions. In an entryway, it offers a spot to put on your shoes. It can be moved around for extra seating when you have guests. Or it can support a stack of books, drape your shawls or throws on its back, or be an unconventional surface for a lamp.
As an interior design styling tool, an odd chair is essential. Its movable quality offers a nuance to a static arrangement of a sofa and armchairs in a living room. Anthropomorphic in nature, the single chair is like a sculpture in the form of furniture. It adds instant personality to a room. I especially love it placed under a work of art or next to case goods like credenzas for visual balance. For maximum character, I recommend a vintage or antique chair, of course.
The unexpected chair can flank a cabinet, stand in front of a bookshelf to hold overflow, or work as a casual nightstand. For inspiration, enjoy these designs with the odd single chair from our portfolio and from other chic homes.
Modern + traditional mix well in an Upstate house hall, with a contemporary chair by Kendall LeCompte next to a patina-rich antique cabinet. Design: Alyse Archer-Coité / Photo: Francesco Lagnese
A modern cane chair is all this New York City bedroom needs to give it a punch of personality… that and the hanging dress. Design: Daphne Javitch / Photo: Sarah Elliott
The antique chair holding textured cushions perfectly complements the rustic furnishings in an English country house. Design: Cassandra Ellis / Photo: Light Locations
A Mid Century vintage Italian chair and teddy are the only decor this minimalist space needs. Design: Ezra Block / Photo c/o Remodelista
The sculptural quality of an original Pierre Chapo chair makes it perfect for just about any space, and here it’s ideally placed in a quiet corner of a Manhattan townhouse. Design: Giancarlo Valle / Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson
Just a single antique cane side chair and cushion is what this streamlined Brooklyn bedroom needed. Design: Meredith Winfrey / Photo: Perry Hall
If you own a lot of art, try propping up a piece on a side chair, like this photograph by Clarence John Laughlin does on an antique neoclassical side chair in a Manhattan apartment’s library. Design: Vicente Wolf / Photo: Pernille Loof
A dainty Parisian corner with a shapely chair and magazine rack side table. Design: Ajiri Aki / Photo: Victoria Kolotova
Make that a double. A bold juxtaposition of styles, with a pair of antique side chairs and a 1970s ceiling light by Robert Sonneman, in a New York City entryway. Design: Caroline McKeough / Photo: Alexandra Rowley
A Mid Century Klismos chair by Robsjohn-Gibbings creates a balance against a subtle neutral ground in a bedroom corner. Design: C. & J. Katz Studio / Photo: Justine Hand
Good design, with a side of personality
Good design isn’t always simple, but should always look like it is. Time & Place Interiors can help with styling and decorating your space so that it displays both authenticity and comfort. Use the link below to schedule a free 20-minute information call with founder Ksenya Malina on making your space feel special and functional:
