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Trend Watch: Classic Chairs in Unusual Fabrics

suzanichair120908.jpgWhen a photo of a womb chair dressed up in Proenza Schouler damask hit our inbox today it got us thinking about the other instances of classic chairs in unusual "outfits" that we've seen in the past year or so. It is a trend that seems to be heating up...

classicthumbs120908.jpg

 
 
Above the Jump: Suzani Lounge by Huda Baroudi and Maria Hibri of Bokja via Dezeen
patchwork120908.jpgEgg Chair in Patchwork Upholstery from Squint Limited


gossip120908.jpgEames Lounge in a Missoni-esque Print on the Gossip Girl Set


chair4120908.jpgWomb Chair in Proenza Schouler Damask at Design Within Reach


chair3120908.JPGEames Aluminum Group Chair in Maharam Paisley at ABC Carpet and Home


chair2120908.JPGEames Aluminum Group Lounge in Maharam Print at ABC Carpet and Home


plaid120908.jpgEames Lounge in Plaid via Homebug

We like the look - classics with a twist. The way these combine somewhat "serious" classics with neo-hippie or fashion-y fabrics would make for a humorous yet stylish addition to a modern living room. What do you think of this trend? Thumbs up or down?

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fabric & textiles, upholstery

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Comments (24)

Depends in a large part on the fabric - I can appreciate the plaid and flame-stitch Eames Chairs and the Damask Womb Chair...

...but that patchwork Egg Chair is just too much - I can't tell where the chair begins and ends, the shape is completely lost!

posted by bepsf on December 9th 2008 at 1:40pm
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although the concept is fine, for some reason the results leave me cold. ABC carpets in new york had several of these on display for what seemed to be years. the chairs always looked odd to me and I kept wondering how they would fit into an interior.

posted by JonathanB on December 9th 2008 at 1:43pm
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I like the concept. It is refreshing!

posted by Amanda H. on December 9th 2008 at 1:52pm
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hmmm, i usually love prints, but these designs are so beautiful as is, i think the print takes away from them a little.

not to mention that these are all very pricey chairs, once you get sick of the fabric custom reupholstery would be $$$! then again, if you can afford one of these babies in a custom fabric the price of reupholstering probably wouldn't phase you.

and i really hate the patchwork especially. just never been into that look. the damask on the womb chair isn't so bad, its pretty subtle.

posted by eribear12 on December 9th 2008 at 2:01pm
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Give me the Eames in Missoni right now!!! Please... :(

posted by Kennard on December 9th 2008 at 2:15pm
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i like it :)

posted by elinka189 on December 9th 2008 at 2:16pm
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It's sad to see that half of all the chairs above are fake ones. Copying these classics is a shame. Ruining the design with these ugly fabrics is even worse. The genuine articles (4 last pics) are definitely the prettier. Maybe that's because they were designed by people with taste and knowledge?

posted by CREames on December 9th 2008 at 2:17pm
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whatever, nay-sayers! The chair in the very first picture, the picture at the top of the post, looks great in that folkloric fabric. Love it! It's totally unexpected and cool.

posted by L1bby on December 9th 2008 at 2:52pm
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I love these!

posted by KWorld on December 9th 2008 at 3:23pm
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For people with disposable incomes these are great, but they will be outdated in about 10 mins.

posted by peachpie on December 9th 2008 at 3:37pm
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I like the concept, however, none of the patterns excited me. As some one mentioned before me, the shape of the chairs get lost in the maze of color and pattern except for the plaid, which look smart in the reading area.

posted by click212 on December 9th 2008 at 3:47pm
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I love the corduroy Eames lounge chair and ottoman used on "House", but don't care for most of these fabrics. I agree that the chair shape gets lost in the pattern of the material. I'd also get really tired of those prints, and quickly.

posted by Sydney on December 9th 2008 at 4:23pm
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I've been wanting to upholster a Womb Chair in Fortuny fabric for over a decade (well over)... sigh... Also, saw some gorgeous examples of this on Designers Guild...

posted by mschatelaine on December 9th 2008 at 4:37pm
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I love them. All the classics usually come in leather, which I find uncomfortable. I think they're fun.

posted by ejbrammer on December 9th 2008 at 4:49pm
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Good god what are they doing to my Eames... :O

posted by ekoshyun on December 9th 2008 at 7:35pm
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OMG - i love the Eames in the Panton fabric. The Missoni is a little southwest for me.

posted by Modfan on December 9th 2008 at 10:46pm
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i love them but couldn't do it.

for me at least, chairs like these are investments, to live with and then pass along, and these fabrics are too personal, to protect the investment....i can imagine buying one on the secondary market, at a hugh discount, and reupholstering it as a classic.

i currently have a vintage papa bear and ottoman awaiting re-upholstery; part of me wants to go patchwork. i suspect i'll stick with a kvadrat classic.

posted by healthyhome on December 9th 2008 at 11:19pm
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I prefer bold pillows and throws to spice up a classic chair. I have two Eames chairs with black hopsack and it can look totally different with the right pillows.

posted by nicolezh on December 10th 2008 at 2:32am
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Sarineen would roll in his grave. But perhaps not the Eames..

Does anyone like stripes?

;-)

posted by supernormalist on December 10th 2008 at 5:41am
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Personally, I would consider a "zany" fabric only for a reproduction piece, never for an original. (I'm not in the disposable classic furniture income bracket. Yet.)

posted by modtramp on January 2nd 2009 at 7:54pm
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hideous.

posted by mrs walsh on January 3rd 2009 at 8:17pm
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I agree with CREames above on the shame of not using original furniture - http://tinyurl.com/9wefaw Regarding the patterned fabrics, though, I think the houndstooth and other geometrics work best. I wonder if this trend will grow on me, or whether my initial skepticism will hold? We'll see -

posted by Annie, bossy color on January 4th 2009 at 11:03am
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I like the concept and would do it myself in a minute...but not with any of the fabrics posted. I think softer colours, solids, maybe quiet tone-on-tone patterns but in colours I am especially fond of, would add the touch of personalization and warmth and coordination I am going for without being so visually busy.

posted by JosieDaisy on January 4th 2009 at 11:38pm
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I just found a $150 replica eames lounger and am highly considering getting it reupholstered. I'm not to keen on the 'pleather' look.

I love this idea, but like everyone said, will definitely be dated in no time flat.

posted by marc from vancouver on March 20th 2009 at 8:41am
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