Chairs like this were stationed at the entrance of grand French chateaus for the porter to be seated in when admitting visitors. The canopy and deep wings were intended to block drafts. Now I don't know about you but that short history alone has my imagination running wild envisioning my own French chateau, complete with porters and such.

Even if this look is not your cup of tea (I admit they are not suited to most families' living rooms), I think we can all appreciate a piece of furniture that commands such a glamorous statement.

Design greats such as Kelly Wearstler and Ryan Korban have used them to great effect in rich hues, but the linen version below (for sale at Restoration Hardware) could be an understated option for the home that evokes its original classic lineage.

What do you think? Would you? Could you? Have you?
*images via kwid, ryankorban, restoration hardware
i don't like these chairs...not for me at all...
ReplyDelete<3Cara
"Tea Time" Print Giveaway-Come on Over and Check it Out!
A little over the top for my home, but they are most definitely eye-catching!!
ReplyDeletexoxo Laura
i LOVE these chairs - i'm usually into the super modern look - but i LOVE LOVE LOVE these - i dunno where in the world they would fit in my house - but i'd work it out somehow!
ReplyDeleteoh no, darling! I'm afraid these are not for me. :) xo
ReplyDeleteI totally would! These are awesome, I love the yellow chairs.
ReplyDeleteI love these chairs! Don't think they would work in my home but someday I would love to use them in a project.
ReplyDeleteI just love these. I saw them a few years ago in a photo of Kelly Weartstler's newly done Bergdorf Goodman restaurant- I had no idea they were a classic design! Thanks for a gorgeous and interesting post. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAt first I wasn't so sure about these but the drama factor alone makes me like them- I actually just saw one on ebay and it sold for a mere $400. If I had one inch of space available for one in my house, I would have bid- I think they definitely need a somewhat grand space so they don't look like they are eating the room alive- All in all, I say yes- quite a cool chair indeed!
ReplyDeletelove these chairs, such a statement to a room!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't. But I do love to imagine what kind of conversations took place in these great chairs. They look made for sharing secrets!
ReplyDeleteWould I? Yes. Could I? Yes. Have I? Not yet but it's on the wish list. The Restoration Hardware chairs were worthy of cutting out of the magazine! I can't wait to own my own house so I can buy at least two! Just looking at the picture makes me go into dream world of my french chateau I hope I will have one day-as David Tutera says "DREAM BIGGER"!!
ReplyDeletehttp://barnettcreations.blogspot.com/
Love the Restoration Hardware image! I love these chairs, but I couldn't use them. Fun to look.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
yes, i could. i LOVE them. they are so cute. would really set the tone for a cool home.
ReplyDeletewould love to "stumble" on a pair at a flea market!
I love these, but could never quite take the plunge in my own home.
ReplyDeleteThey are dramatic though and visually alluring.
Have a great day, Alcira
thenerochronicles.blogspot.com
They are my fabulous in Bergdorf Goodman's restaurant...gorgeous and dramatic!!
ReplyDeleteLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE those chairs! Want a couple!
ReplyDeleteGreat find! xoxokpb
GIVEAWAY on my blog!
www.elements-interiors.net
They are so dramatic, I love the teal ones with the zebra rug!
ReplyDeletehttp://californiacandy.wordpress.com/
I love the style of these chairs - but are they comfortable?
ReplyDeleteThese chairs are so fun! Kate Spade has one in their London pop-up store - it's bright pink. I have an image of it on my blog today.
ReplyDeleteVery glam. Loving them in velvet - so cozy for Fall :)
ReplyDeletewww.meg-land.blogspot.com
xx
these make any room look elegant! love.
ReplyDeleteLove them! I absolutely would put a couple in my living room, if my room was a bit larger. I don't think they would look as fabulous as they should in a small room. I think the Restoration Hardware chairs are my favorite, simply fabulous!
ReplyDeletele le love them! i've been mildly obsessed with the ones from Restoration Hardware.
ReplyDeletewww.projecttrophywife.blogspot.com
Yes....Maybe....No....xv
ReplyDeleteI soooo would! It's like a glammed-up version of those chairs at the hair salon!
ReplyDeleteThese chair have long been a dream acquisition of mine! I have sat in that very spot pictured in the first image, and let me tell you.. these chairs cradle you and create your very own little bubble that you never feel like leaving. My only complaint is of the very expensive necessity of having TWO facing each other so someone can join you (and preferably a pot of tea) in your little globe chair bubble! :)
ReplyDeleteThey kind of remind me of the cars on the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland but I like them when used in the right space. They have one on the floor at the Corte Madera Restoration Hardware. I was so excited to see it in person and try it out until I realized that it was so overscaled that unless you are 6'6", you won't be comfortable sitting in it.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I saw chairs like this was in the Beach Club resort in Disney World. I LOVE them! I just saw one on sale in Restoration Hardware a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! I saw some of these in a hotel and didn't know how to find out the name.
ReplyDeleteI dig them. They are dramatic.
lets talk about that sweet blue birdie wall paper! MAG
ReplyDeleteI love these chairs!!! Natalie Massenet has a few of those at her super modern Net-a-porter headquarters!
ReplyDeleteI like how the chairs look at The Tides in Miami underneath all the turtle shells.
ReplyDeletePaul
what a le funny chair!!! i kind of like it..
ReplyDeleteMe too! I know exactly what you mean. I envy your skill. I don't have that artistic "artsy-fartsy" talent. How I wish I can be you even for one day. I'll use that day to recreate my whole room into a great one 'til I can make a New York apartment rental! Short term as it may seem, that 24 hours being you will not put into waste.
ReplyDeleteYes, rooms induce feelings and emotions. If ever there will be a chance to convert my NYC short-term apartment, I will definitely choose your design. Coziness, it's what I want.
Waiting for more post!
- Ian Thompson, fan
i would love to sink back into one of these..and in velvet? yes puh-leeze (rhyme!)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
carrie
Not for my current home, but LOVE.
ReplyDeleteBeen there done that! They are in my living room and they are fabulous!!! Not practical- but I wasn't going for practical. Wish I could download a picture. www.carrieleskowitzinteriors.com
ReplyDeleteI would...I could...I have!! Working on a residential project right now where I'm currently using a pair right in the entry...First thing guests will see so they can ooh and aaahhh like me :D
ReplyDeleteGreat post!- Can't wait to share my pics!
-Julie
Haute Khuuture
I think they're creepy.
ReplyDelete