Chair Couture: antiques and vibrant color

Margaret Elman of Chair Couture recovers Italian and French antique chairs and sofas with contemporary fabrics. These chairs in their updated version add bright color and impact against the classic lines. Nice mix! I'm normally not enthusiastic about French neoclassic lines, but they really work here, since it's not over-the-top. Her home has been featured in a few magazines- this particular feature was in German Elle Deco and Home Beautiful, with photos were taken by Ngoc Minh.

Return of the rocking chair: Clarissa Hulse

London textile designer Clarissa Hulse creates patterns on luscious silks and makes them into interesting lampshades, cushions and wallpaper with names like twigs, dock leaf, tiny vine, yarrow, mallow and cow parsley; you can tell she's nature-inspired. I discovered her because Elle decor UK featured her very cool Race rocking chair (that you see at the top)- it's her remake of a chair designed in 1948 by fellow British designer Ernest Race. It's upholstered in her very own Hopsack and Black silks. The chair will be available in September 2007 and is ₤695. (photos from Clarissa Hulse's website and thelivinghub.com)

Gebruder Vienna chair

It's been twice now that this yellow chair caught my eye, and I had to find out more about it: Turns out it's made by Gebruder Thonet, the Austrian company founded in 1853 by German cabinet maker Michael Thonet. This chair is called "Viener Stuhl," and I discovered it in Inside Out magazine this month. Thonet is known for bentwood furniture, most notably the Vienna Chair No. 14, one of the most succesful commercial products in history (it's similar to the little green chair on the right.) The design and making of these chairs has hardly changed since 1905. I am drawn to chairs that are somewhat shorter in the back, to fit my not very tall frame. And the cheery color is perfect. photos courtesy of Inside Out July/Aug 2007; Chris Chen, the names agency.

Chaise Luxembourg

For Parisians, this simple little chair is a reminder of hours wiled away in the lovely Jardins de Luxembourg, as it is an exact replica of the vintage chairs provided there for the public. The Chaise Luxembourg is part of a collection from designer Frederic Sofia, who infused the French '20s aesthetic into his interpretation of "archetypal" public benches and chairs.

Marie Claire Maisons describes it as a "cult icon of patrimony," and Made in Design calls it "mythic." I'd like to see this national symbol brighten my kitchen or work space. The first photo is from French outdoor furniture company, Sabz, where you can order one; Made in Design also has it in 12 different colors.