More Modern Chair to Balance La-Z-Boy Loveseat? Good Questions

Q: I'm having the hardest time finding something more modern that would look good with the (unclean) lines of our Lazboy loveseat. My husband refuses to get rid of it, so just buying two new sofas instead of one isn't an option. (And I have to admit it's comfortable to watch movies in.)

I was thinking maybe something in fabric, to offset all that black leather? In gray, maybe? Or just a paler leather? (But what would look good with black?) I figure if the other sofa ends up having a lower seat height than the Lazboy I can always switch out the legs to adjust the height.

Sent by Kim

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Comments (8)

Hmmm. I think I'd look for 2 clean lined chairs in a nubby grey chenille, and not another sofa/loveseat, which would just highlight the stylistic differences between the new and old. Perhaps something along the lines of Crate and Barrels Vaughn chair: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/chairs/vaughn-chair/s187464

I especially like that this chair is up on legs. I don't think you need to match the seat heights, but I do think that if all your pieces had low profiles, your room would probably look awfully "heavy".

I would go with proportions that are similarly heavy and not something slim and elegant. I think the mismatch would not be pleasing. You could go with a pinstripe or a tweed or something masculine to complement the black behemoth (I have one of those sofas to deal with too in my future)

Room&Board Odin Chair

I'd go for two bertoia wire chairs or two eames eiffel arm chairs in white.

Yeah, actually white bertoia wire chairs would be good with this.

A chair with chrome and leather, like bauhaus chairs, would be good too.

Similar throw pillows would help bridge the gap too: sheepskin or nubby white cloth might go well. Or even throw pillows from the fabric of the new chairs.

Black is a *neutral*. I generally find that folks either love leather or they hate it. Whatever the case here, IGNORE it. Choose classic furnishings that you appeal to you - in colors that you love - and that you can live with long term (lest you find yourself in this same position down the road, heaven forbid). Then use fabric & accessories (throws, pillows, curtains, art & collectibles) to tie it all together in the meantime. The 'comfort factor' is worth that at least, eh? Trust your own instincts....do NOT let anyone else tell you how it ought to look. Relax, have fun and do what feels right to you...and makes you feel good.

The chair that springs to mind is George Nelson's 'Coconut' chair in black leather. It's low and wide to match the couch, but with a white underside and a flash of chrome to lighten the mood. The graceful shape is a good contrast to the lumpy sofa - you never know, it might start to persuade your husband that aesthetics aren't so unimportant after all!

I would avoid leather all together. Fabric with a modern pattern could be nice, or if you want to contrast with something slim and sleek, go with something that uses wood or metal elements. If you're wanting to use accessories to tie the couch with the rest of the room, maybe use a throw as opposed to pillows to give it a nice clean line. Comfort goes a long way! There's plenty of furniture out there I love but wouldn't want to spend more than 15 minutes on. :)

My instinct would be to stay away from more leather. I also would go with 2 chairs. I would try upholstery with a pattern that would coordinates with the sofa. Something like this . . .

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/chairs/suffolk-chair/s259210