Wednesday, July 9, 2014

A Chair Is So Much More




"Chair ~ a piece of furniture consisting of a seat, 

back, legs, and often arms, designed for one person."




Chairs, though originally intended for use for "state and dignity" 

have become one of the most common and 

ordinary objects within our homes.  

When Chloe @ One King's Lane recently contacted me to ask if 

I'd write a post about a statement chair in our home, 

I was happy to oblige.  





My husband and I both admire chairs 

for their function and their form.  

We've been known to bring back 

chairs as a "souvenir" from our travels.  





One such chair is a 

Thonet bentwood rocker purchased in Paris.  

Thonet furniture, with its curves 

and bentwood construction, speaks to us.





Our sun room, once a screened in porch, 

now functions as a year round living space since 

enclosed with walls of French doors and windows.   





The fluid movement in the lines of the bentwood rocker 

compliment the architectural details in the corbels 

of the original porch design that were retained 

and enclosed with transom windows.





The casualness of the Thonet, with its cane back

 and seat, fits the aesthetic of our sun room .   .   .





Yet it stands on its own as unique 

among the wicker and bamboo pieces.  





It serves as both an accent piece 

and a favorite spot to relax with a gentle sway 

while the design flows effortlessly with 

textures and accessories of the room.





A chair is so much more 

 than just a place to sit!


So tell me, do you have any statement chairs?   

If so, leave a comment and tell me about them.





I'd like to invite you to join One Kings Lane, one of 

my favorite destinations for top-brand & designer furniture, 

decor, art, gifts & vintage items up to 70% off.  

Use this link to join, and there's a $15 credit waiting for you!

If you are interested about 

the history of Modern Chairs, check out 

A Complete Guide to Modern Chairs 

here at One King's Lane.




Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

64 comments:

  1. Those are both wonderful chairs. I've never seen one designed quite like the rocker. I'm so intrigued to see bits of your home- somehow I knew your home would be classy and it is. Love your sun room and how you've decorated it!

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  2. Dearest Sarah,
    Lovely statement chairs you got placed in you comfy sunroom!
    We don't have any statement chairs as such; just comfy ones for daily use.
    Sending you hugs,
    Mariette

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  3. I absolutely love the architecture of your beautiful room.You have lovely taste Sarah:)

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  4. What a great piece! I enjoyed seeing that lovely chair (and the side table with it) and your beautiful sunroom. I could spend all day in there :)
    Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com

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  5. When I first saw a Thonet chair in my college days, I dreamed of having one. We could never afford one and we settled on a vintage rocker from my grandparents. It didn't have the style, but it was beautiful and had meaning. When we downsized, I passed the chair on to my sister and still have no room for a Thonet chair.

    I love your chair and the room it occupies.

    One King's Lane asked me to participate, but we do not have a "statement" chair in the house.

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  6. The Thonet chair is wonderful and you have the perfect spot for it. Heading to OKL to check out all the "goodies"!

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  7. Oh Sarah, I want to come sit in one of those chairs and just enjoy the beauty of your sunroom. I love the design of the windows and the color of the trim. I'm pinning that room. laurie

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  8. What a lovely sunroom, Sarah. The windows are amazing and your taste is exquisite. I don't have any Bentwood rockers, but I have always admired the style. Lucky you to have that souvenir. I also love your wicker rocker...how pretty everything goes together. I'd enjoy swaying and looking at all your pretty things.

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  9. The sun room is such a wonderful addition to your beautiful home,how good it would be to sit and chat there with you once again. The chair is stunning, what an amazing souvenir to remind you of France.

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  10. Your sun room is lovely and your chair goes perfect in there. I have always loved rockers, unfortunately I don't have one anymore - no room.
    Have a great weekend.
    Mary

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  11. That is a lovely chair and yes it fits so nicely in with your sunroom. What a lovely space to relax. Beautiful post, Sarah. Have a lovely day!

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  12. Sarah I love your Thonet bentwood rocker. It most definitely is a statement chair and I love it in your sunroom. Such a beautiful space (love the architectural curves of the transoms) for settling in with a book and cold drink on those hot Texas days! I love the peeks of your beautiful home. We do have statement chairs, most are wing backs scattered throughout the house and my mom’s antique French chair. We did have a bentwood rocker early on, just a Thonet copy and when Jay finished school and needed to furnish an apartment we passed some things on to him. Lovely post, and I have to mention the painting of Sadie, love it!

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  13. What a welcoming room, Sarah & that chair looks perfectly at home in there, too. I don't recall ever seeing the sunroom/porch before.
    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those black arched windows!!!!

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  14. When you began to point our the relationship between the chair and the architecture of your gorgeous sun room, I could definitely see how a chair is more than just a place to sit! Beautiful!

    I tend to gravitate towards club chairs, something deep and comfy where I can have a dog on my lap! :)

    Jane xx

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  15. Lovely bentwood rocker! It looks perfect in the sunroom, what a statement!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  16. Sarah, what a lovely room! The rocker is exquisite. Your decorating shows beautiful taste. I don't have any statement chairs, but I do have a favorite, an old nursing rocker that my grandfather caned and I nursed my babies in.

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  17. I love your sunroom, Sarah! The bentwood rocker is perfect there. How nice that you bring in furnishings from your travels. I guess I would consider the lion chair my statement chair....Christine

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  18. Hi Sarah, love your statement chair in your gorgeous sunroom. We had a bentwood rocker years ago and it was a favorite.
    My statement chair is a special piece I custom designed with lazy boy with a floral fabric. It's comfortable and brings a great accent to our living room.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Hugs

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  19. I have always loved bentwood rockers. Your sunroom is so calming and pleasant. You must really enjoy spending time in such a peaceful space.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  20. Sarah,
    As my Mother's health began to fail, she took mailing labels, turned the furniture over and placed names of her loved ones she wished to inherit the piece. However, ond day she called my sister and I to come to her home. When we arrived, she gifted us each with one of her decorative chairs.
    The chair she had chosen for my sister had recently been upholstered in beige damask. Mine has the original tapestry upholstery which is beginning to fade and fray terribly. Both are French made.
    Although I don't sit in mine, it sits in our home office and is occassionaly pulled up to "share" the computer with family.
    I adored seeing your rocker. I had dreams of one similar for our nursery. Moving with the Military assured me it would not survive, I was gifted a strong maple rocker from my beloved Mother~in~law to rock our sons, which I have to this day.
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  21. Your home is lovely!

    - Alma, The Tablescaper

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  22. Beautiful Sarah! I love seeing your chair and a glimpse of your sunroom with the handsome details of your transom windows! Of course I love seeing sweet Sadie's portrait next to your bowl of lavender, Thanks for the link and the credit! Enjoy your weekend :)

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  23. I love the chairs, but I must speak to the beauty of the room in its entirety! I just love, love, love those elegant doors and transoms....the pretty artwork, all. Lovely space.

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  24. I absolutely love how you've finished this space Sarah. And the chairs are fabulous!!

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  25. Beautiful chair and I love that pretty sun room...:)

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  26. What a fabulous souvenir to bring back from Paris! Lovely graceful lines. I have a thing for chairs and really have to control myself! Haha! What a wonderful living space you turned your screened porch into!

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  27. Your sunroom! I am breathless with envy. The chair is a real beauty. So are your bamboo pieces.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  28. That was really very interesting, Sarah - to see how the chair reflects so much of the room's character. I am like you - have brought a chair home as a souvenir!

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  29. You have such a beautiful home and great style! I know you work hard to make it nice! Enjoy the week ahead! Hugs, Diane

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  30. Sarah, I know that some day I will have a chair that I will love and use. I don't sit still long enough to enjoy a chair. LOL You must enjoy your beautiful room. I love your bowl of lavender, especially since I just attended a lavender festival over the weekend.

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  31. Hi Sarah! Oh, I love your bentwood rocker. I had a friend who had one and this was way back in the 1970s and I thought it was the most beautiful rocker I'd ever seen. And as I remember, it was most comfy. Your rocker looks beautiful in your sun room, which is also beautiful! Thanks for popping in to see me and you're always a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  32. Hello Sarah, your bentwood rocker is so inviting! LOVELY room! I adore books and chairs :) I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  33. Now those are awesome chairs, they look perfect in your fabulous sunroom! Your home is full of charm and class!
    Have a great day~
    Nancy

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  34. Sarah this room is so warm and beautiful with all the pretty wicker, I want to see more. And I love your rocker!

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  35. Hi Sarah,
    Your sunroom is lovely, and so graciously appointed! And what a fabulous chair - very striking and sculptural. I enjoyed learning about it.
    Cheers,
    Loi

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  36. I never got around to writing a piece for Chloe, so I'm extra glad that you did. Bentwood rockers...almost lyrical in form. Thanks for inviting us for a peek. Cherry Kay

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  37. Sarah, Your sun room is beautiful and I love the windows! I rocked my son to sleep many times in a bentwood rocker.
    xx,
    Sherry

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  38. Your collection of chairs are wonderful...especially housed in your gorgeous sunroom! What a beautiful space to sit in!
    Miss Bloomers

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  39. GOod morning Sarah! WOW I love your home! Your once screened-in porch is beautifully transformed by those doors! I love the custom design of arched and almost "timbered" shape of the design. I spot a primitive wooden bowl with lavender (I have the same arrangement in my dining room!) and your home is stunning.

    Thank you for coming to visit the link party post. We have been having such fun and I so wish you could have remained on the itinerary, but I wish you success in your goals for the rest of the week! Big hugs, Sarah!

    Anita

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  40. Hi Sarah! I'm still loving this past about your chairs! Thank you so much for popping in to see me and I hope you're doing well.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  41. Your chair is beautiful and with a Paris birthplace that adds to its elegance in your lovely sunroom, Sarah!

    When I was first married I wanted a bentwood rocking chair very badly, but never managed to purchase one. I did buy a large wooden rocking chair years later, which I still own and enjoy today. When I pared down furniture to move west I made sure to keep it!

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  42. Love your French rocking chair you 'brought' from Paris. Most people around here have antique ones. I just sent one in black and painted to our DD from her grandma. Your house looks beautiful, so inviting, wish I could and visit!
    FABBY

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  43. I just love a good bentwood chair and yours is SO lovely!

    Thank you so very much for your kindness and friendship. I treasure you!

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  44. Sarah I love those rockers...I love everything about your sunroom!! GORGEOUS space!

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  45. You are making me nostalgic for my Bentwood rocker that I sold about twenty years ago when I changed decorating styles. Boy would I love to have that back. The pillow is fabulous as well.

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  46. Beautiful rocker! I have a similar one, but it's not a Thonet. Your sunroom is lovely, that's exactly what I'd love to have off my kitchen. ~Michelle

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  47. I could sit in your sunroom chair for hours on end!
    xo

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  48. Hi Sarah,

    Lovely to discover your blog and meet you and thanks for visiting me.
    Your sunroom looks so very inviting and comfortable and the Bentwood rocker looks like a great place to relax in. Love all your pretty treasures.
    Hyacinths are so very pretty - we had a blue Persian and her name was Hyacinth.
    Hope you are having a lovely week
    Carolyn

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  49. Your home is so pretty, and your sunroom is stunning! I enjoyed reading your article about the Thonet chair.
    The curves speak to me, too! So lovely.

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  50. The chair is perfect on your fabulous porch. I love One King's Lane and you did a lovely review. I especially love all of your architectural detail and that you did it in dark paint. Spectacular -I would want to spend all my time out there.

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  51. Last Fall, we went to an auction. I had to leave the room "for a minute" and, when I got back, Dave suggested I sit "in that glider as you own it."

    At the next auction, I bid and won another glider.

    Becoming a competition, we next bought a glider for two, followed by a single glider.

    None of the gliders match in style or color. The plan is to paint them all the same color and reupholster everything in the same fabric.

    Until then, none of them have made a statement.

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  52. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  53. Good morning dear Sarah! I love that painting of your dear fur friend and the primitive bowl with lavender!

    Thank you for your visit! It was a fantastic link party and maybe, just maybe,I'll do it again next year and extend it out to the WORLD! teehee...NO STOPPING ME!

    Enjoy your day my friend. Anita

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  54. Sarah, your statement chair is lovely. It looks so comfy there on your porch and the way you decorated the room. One King's Lane is a lovely store with so many tempting things to purchase.

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  55. Hi Sarah, I am a little behind and one of the reasons is I lost my blogroll and you were on it. I am slowly putting the addresses back in. I put yours in I thought and it was another blog with the same name. I finally noticed there was not an s on hyacinth in your blog address.

    Sorry, I digressed. Your post on your bentwood rocker was well done. You are right it fits the aesthetic of your sun room. You have many lovely accessories and I love your decorating style. Your French doors and windows are dreamy in your sunroom. I have a bentwood rocker that I actually bought to rock my babies in the seventies. I think it is special you bought yours in Paris.

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  56. Thank you for your kind comment. I love your sun room. Yes I have to agree chairs are more than a place to sit. Have a wonderful week. Alaina

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  57. Thank you for your kind comment. I love your sun room. Yes I have to agree chairs are more than a place to sit. Have a wonderful week. Alaina

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  58. Hi Sarah! Thanks for popping in to see me and I hope you're doing well.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  59. Sarah, miss your posts. I hope you are just relaxing and enjoying your Summer. laurie

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  60. Sarah, This is such a nicely written post. It really makes you think about your chairs! I used to have a similar rocking chair. We bought it just before Michael, our oldest, was born and I spent many nights rocking him back to sleep in that chair…even fell asleep in it myself a time or two! I don't know if I've ever seen or noticed the window and details in your sun room…they are beautiful, beautiful windows and I absolutely love the little bamboo table that sits next to the chair, as well as the bamboo chest seen behind it! I just found a couple of pieces, both are a little rickety but I just love antique bamboo!

    Hope you are doing well!

    Hugs,

    Nancy

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  61. Your chairs remind me of India, where Wicker Furniture is used indoors as well as outdoors.

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  62. Sarah, I love the chair (such incredibly graceful and plentiful lines!!!), but I have to tell you that my eyes just stopped at the beautiful BLACK French doors and windows!!! Oh, good grief, that's beautiful!!! I mean REALLY beautiful! SO sophisticated! I was just reading on Houzz.com the other day about the virtue of painting doors black, and they gave some really terrific examples. This should have been front and center among those examples!!!!!!!

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  63. Sarah, you know how much I love chairs! I am practically a chair hoarder. I am also so in love with your sun room. Perfect place for a cup of coffee and a great book.

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  64. Nice Blog
    Thanks for sharing nice information with us.
    Modern Office Chairs

    ReplyDelete

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