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Good Questions: Chic Recliners?

9-24-recliner.jpgDear AT, So, I know that recliners are the epitome of poor taste, but they are so dang comfortable! I love the design of this recliner from Darlings of Chelsea and I wonder if there are more similarly chic recliners that can be found in the states. I am particularly looking for a reclining loveseat. Thanks!
-Lily

 
 

Lily,

How about DWR's Flight Recliner?

Anyone have other suggestions for Lily?

Darlings of Chelsea

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seating - sofas & armchairs, Good Questions, recliner

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Comments (16)

Damn that chair is cute!

posted by ridge_van_winkle on September 24th 2008 at 9:49am
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why is it that they call it design within reach when everything on that site is insanely expensive!

posted by terka27 on September 24th 2008 at 10:03am
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SO cute, truly adorable and funny.......umm, I don't think it is going to break the chic barrier... but remember todd oldham's LA-Z-BOY adventure? that got SOOO close.... I guess it crashed and burned, but for a magical moment....

remember the long ascendance of (the iron rule, in fact, of) irony for that matter?

posted by Philip_Littell on September 24th 2008 at 10:04am
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My rule of thumb with reclining furniture is that the larger it is, the uglier it is. I think you're far, far more likely to find a pair of chic reclining armchairs (like the one in the picture) that suit than to find a chic reclining loveseat.

I may be proved wrong by subsequent posters, but the mechanics of the recliner and the proportions of a love seat really don't really lend themselves to chic, sleek, modern design.

Really nice leather will look expensive, and might work in the right room, paired with more modern furniture, but it won't be chic, in the sense you seem to mean.

posted by lurker2209 on September 24th 2008 at 11:02am
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I keep one armchair in our house (covered in white simple fabric). It's not pretty, but it sure is a lifesaver at 4 am with the baby - and a heck of a lot more comfy than an Eames rocker, sorry. In the middle of the night, I just don't care how it looks.

posted by inkstainedwriter on September 24th 2008 at 11:12am
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pretty as this is, i'm still sweet on that brown tufted leather one at restoration hardware. it best matches my ideal. my gramma had a black leather recliner when i was a kid that i liked to read the paper in. if i ever own a home, i'll be wantin' a leather recliner to go in it.

posted by Lady J on September 24th 2008 at 11:14am
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The "within reach" comes from making high-end well-designed pieces and furniture's modern icons easily accessible to people(those who can afford it and willing to pay) .

I love the chair in the main post ,ADORABLE .

posted by Jennah on September 24th 2008 at 11:17am
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Actually I liked a couple of the Todd Oldman recliners. Sorry to hear that venture when for naught.

Recliners are more about comfort and as I body ages I recognize there will be one in my future, not matter what my taste may say.

posted by JonathanB on September 24th 2008 at 11:19am
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as my body ages, sorry. the eyesight's already gone. possibly the mind as well.

posted by JonathanB on September 24th 2008 at 11:20am
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"I know that recliners are the epitome of poor taste..."

Then chalk me up as a lover of poor taste. I keep my recliner in my bedroom so I don't have to share it with anyone!

posted by hmr on September 24th 2008 at 12:04pm
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The pink recliner looks like my grandmother's. The Flight chair is a joke, I can't think of one good design element in the chair. The Dodo chair by Toshiyki Kita is a design statement.

http://www.cassina.com/ENG/CATALOGUE/ARMCHAIRS_AND_SOFAS/PRODUCTS/DODO_K10.ASPX

posted by ENTENZA on September 24th 2008 at 12:23pm
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Restoration Hardware used to carry a recliner called the Metro Recliner. It had a very mid-century modern armchair look - curvy wooden arms, clean lines, no excessive puffiness.

And like DWR's Flight recliner, the reclining mechanism even tucks ingeniously into itself, so that the chair stands on 4 legs instead of having that tell-tale "glued to the floor" look that most recliners have. It doesn't *look* like a recliner, which puts it light-years closer to "chic" than most recliners.

It is unfortunately discontinued, but you can probably find it on the used market without too much trouble. It was a popular item. Over the years, there were three versions: black leather with birch arms, and dark brown or black leather with light walnut arms.

Another option is the Bjork recliner from Spacify. Very similar to the Metro, but more svelte. Unfortunately, something they did in the slimming down makes it look very chintzy to my eye - rather 1980's Sharper Image. I particularly dislike that you can clearly see the footrest tucked under it.

So if you're looking for something ultra-slim, I'd go for the Hipster recliner. Half the price of the Bjork, but a much more pleasant and harmonious shape.

posted by Mies van der Robot on September 24th 2008 at 12:23pm
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Have you checked out Macy's furniture? They have some contemporary recliners, though I don't see any mid-century inspired ones. Go here:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/index.ognc?CategoryID=38643&PageID=38643*1*24*-1*-1&kw=Recliners&LinkType=EverGreen

I agree that love seats might not come in sleeker options. You might be better off buying 2 reclining chairs.

posted by VeryVee on September 24th 2008 at 12:34pm
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I love, love my DWR Flight Recliner. It satisfies the cozy brown leather recliner need, while still looking cute and small in my space, and feminine. Perfect for reading and very comfy.

posted by louberrypie on September 24th 2008 at 12:49pm
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Recliners are great. I like the DWR chair, but I wonder how comfortable a big man would be in it.

posted by landless on September 24th 2008 at 3:55pm
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Lee Industries makes some great looking recliners. They are sold through designers and furniture stores.

posted by LilyC on September 24th 2008 at 4:40pm
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