AT Reader Gayle sent us in her review of one of the leading cutting edge design sources in Chicago, Ligne Roset. She covers all the bases and even manages to work in a Garanimals reference! Take it away, Gayle:
"If your furniture tastes run modern, consider this one-stop shop. Ligne Roset has always claimed to sell a "lifestyle", whatever that means, but seemingly all of the furniture works with the lighting, the accessories, everything down to the vases, silverware, rugs, etc..."
"Everything comes from one factory in France. You mix and match "collections" to create a style, as if you liked to wear Armani or The Gap! And for those of us that sometimes need Garanimals to match our clothes, it's nice that most of the guess-work is taken care of.
My style is standard contemporary but you'll find all the way to ultra-modern and futuristic - some things that make "The Jetsons" look traditional (ex: glass light fixtures with pink or green rows of LEDs). Some stuff is affordable considering the quality, and some I'd need a second mortgage for! It all seems light, airy, comfortable and functional.
This store used to be on Walton, but is now in River North (across from Lou Malnati's - yum) with the Mart, and tons of other furniture stores, art galleries, etc. The whole neighborhood is really exploding, and this store in the old J. Robert Scott space is light, bright and beautifully done, it seems as if no design detail was
spared. Everything's on one floor, so it's easy to get ideas of what belongs with what - if anyone remembers the Walton store was a 4-floor townhouse, hard to maintain your design groove.
Oh, interestingly, it seems that Ligne Roset pioneered the area for Sunday retail store hours, as I previously don't remember any stores in the area being open on Sundays. It's a really nice option for
those that can't get all errands done on Saturday!
Anyway, check it out, but avoid if you own Drexel Heritage or anything else made in High Point NC. :-)"
Ligne Roset Chicago is located at 440 N. Wells. 312.222.9300.
Thanks very much, Gayle!
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Maybe it's just the Scandinavian interiors, but the yellow sofas kinda look live Volvos.
view Lisa Hunter's profile
LOL @ Lisa and her Volvo comment! This furniture is ugly in my book...it has no depth and reminds of covered pieces of foam.
view suzygirl's profile
these are indeed ugly, but i am loving their togo line. maybe it's just the 60s scifi-furniture fan in me. i've test-sat those and i'm loving them: http://www.lignerosetdallas.com/images/togoatmosphere2.jpg
view Andreas's profile
Err, it *IS* covered pieces of foam.
Ligne Roset pioneered multidensity foam furniture in 1973, and is the international leader in the field.
While the "Facett" line is my least favourite of Roset's (and not the one I would have chosen to illustrate this post), I don't get the Scandinavian reference... the shot is the interior of a French Chateau...
I've lived and loved Roset's Togo practically all my life (we are actually in the process of replacing our 20 year old version now), so don't judge the entire line by one yellow sofa.
view mschatelaine's profile
Ugly is kind of tangential, if not irrelevant. I.e. everyone has an opinion. The thing to do is to go to their store/studio. The variety is quite good and there is at least 5 things you will immediately find that you need. Then when you see the price, a certain sadness will set in.
view SeanG's profile
I think one has to sit in and feel a piece of Lignet Roset furniture to appreciate its quality. The line above seems to be the most identifiable these days and may appeal to a smaller category of people. But there are so many other pieces. I think the Volvo comparison works not only for appearance but for the feeling of luxury as well. Volvo interiors are well crafted and luxurious and a pleasure to sit in.
I also have to say that my experience with the sales staff at this store was very positive. On a Sunday nonetheless.
view art's profile
How many of us here can actually afford to use Ligne Roset as a "one-stop shop"? Not me, and I'm guessing not many others, either.
view kat98's profile
It's funny that Ligne Roset would market itself as a one-stop shop, as the French are decidedly not into that sort of aesthetic -- they are ecclectic, and mix high with low, antique with cutting edge, pedigreed with mass-produced. Must be a marketing strategy LR uses for North America.
view mschatelaine's profile
Am I the only one who preferred the Walton Street location? I loved the way the building was set up to look like a townhouse completely furnished by Ligne Roset.
Personally, I prefer the Italian aesthetic to the French.
view Kathryn's profile
"Ugly is kind of tangential, if not irrelevant."
It's my opinion about the furniture SeanG...so it's not tangential in my mind. Postings ask for feedback, not just positive affirmations. Diversity makes the world go round.
And for that price tag, perhaps I would care for more than covered modular foam pieces.
toodles.
view suzygirl's profile
We much prefer the Walton Street location. Like Kathryn said, it felt like somebody's apartment and each floor is a new surprise.
The quality of their furniture is simply outstanding.
view crewtag.com's profile
what I love MOST about LR are the catalogue photos. what wouldn't look amazing in those gorgeous 18th century paris rooms? the herringbone floors, the mouldings, the few pieces of artfully arranged sleek modern furniture basking in the sunlight streaming through giant french windows-- that's the "lifestyle" that I wish I could buy...
view 212gretchen's profile
suzygirl: I wasn't trying to discount your opinion. Actually I think my comment more reflected the evolution of my own opinion(s). When I first saw the pieces shown here I didn't find them at all attractive. After several visits to the showroom I saw them as being quite beautiful.
Cheers.
view SeanG's profile
SeanG hits on an interesting point. Furniture is a bit like art. A photo of a painting (or furniture) simply can't relate all the visual information about the piece. I find I need to be in the same room as a piece of furniture to really decide how I feel about it. While most of the Ligne Roset line tends to be "not my style", there is no mistaking the fact that it is very well executed.
view RichardinLA's profile