Top 5 Favorite Side Chairs of 2015

Chairs, chairs, chairs!  Where do we even begin?  I have always had an obsession with chairs that can be seen in my office. From a chair eye chart at my desk, to Eames chair stamps and even a good size collection of miniature chairs from various mid century designers.  Side chairs are an important part of any room whether it be your Formal Living, Bedroom, or even your closet. They are as much about making a fashion statement as they are about comfort.  Below are our Top 5 Favorite Side Chairs for 2015.

#1  The Lance Chair

Most everyone is familiar with the well loved Barcelona Chair designed by Mies Van Der Rohe in 1929.  As an icon of the modern movement, it is no surprise that the chair has inspired other designers to create their own versions of the quintessential chair.  The Lance Chair by Bernhardt has a unique take on the armless lounge chair style, with the addition of  brass metal legs and accents on the sides.  We love using this chair in office and bedroom settings as a comfortable reading and conversational chair.

#2 The Marley Chair

If you are looking for comfort and style wrapped into one pretty package, the Marley Chair should be at the top of your list.  With its Mid Century Styling and fun fabrics it is sure to be a hit in any Formal Living and Game Room setting.

#3  Recliner 74

What kind of a name is Recliner 74, you may ask?  So it doesn't have a fancy name, but we believe this chair speaks for itself with the word "style" written all over it. Being an Interior Designer, I am not an advocate of the overstuffed recliner that lays back with your head inches from the floor.  But I do believe that comfort and fashion can work together to create a space for all persons to enjoy.  This recliner is an original design developed in 1966 by the famed furniture designer Milo Baughman.  Many of Milo's designs are still in production today and are being built by the original company for whom they were designed - Thayer Coggins.

#4 The Pierce Chair

Looking for a chair that offers a little more depth than your average side chair?  The Pierce Chair, with its extra deep seat and high arms provide the perfect setting to curl up and read a book or watch a movie.  We love to use this chair in bedrooms and secondary seating areas for your Great Room, such as that little private corner next to the window where you enjoy that last glass of wine while watching the sunset.

 

 #5  The T-Back Chair

Allow me to introduce the T-Back Chair, another wonderful design by the famous Milo Baughman. As its name states, the chair has a metal bronze "T" on the back not only adding to the style of the chair, but for support as well.  For us, this chair fits seamlessly into a Home Office, Library or Formal Living space.

If you share a love of unique chairs, we would love to know what your favorite ones are as well.  There are so many wonderful ones out there, it was hard to narrow down to just 5 favorites.  Paula Ables Interiors is a great purchasing resource as well as design resource.  We have direct access to many furniture lines across the world and would love a chance to work with you on your next update/new home.  Give us a shout when you are ready to get things rolling!

Click here to see more blog posts by Paula Ables Interiors.  

Add color to your life with Forever Blue

Blue has forever been a human's favorite color. On average, people prefer blue over any other color.

It can be soothing or bold, but across the board it is aesthetically pleasing.  Blue gives you a sense of calmness and serenity.

And for that reason we love integrating blue into our interior design projects. Whether it's painting an accent wall, a whole room, or pulling in some bright blue chairs or pillows, the color blue always seems to compliment a design and add that final touch.

Below are some items that will help you incorporate blue into your home and add that pop of color you might be missing!

Blue Product Details:

1. Book Nook Armchair - West Elm - Chairs are the easiest ways to add a pop of blue since the options are endless!   2. Magnolia Coffee Table - InMod - We love this color of blue and it's so fun and unexpected on a coffee table!   3. Blue Casablanca Area Rug - Esale Rugs - Rugs are another easy, yet more pricey, way to bring in blue. An area rug like this really does have a soothing effect.   4. Embroidered Pillows - Chiapas Bazaar - Everyone loves beautiful embroidered pillows...especially in blue!   5. Topanga 4 Seater Sofa - Jonathan Adler - A soft turquoise sofa is atypical but so lovely!   6. Klein Homage to Tennessee - Room & Board - Yves Klein got famous off the color blue, if you're wanting to incorporate a classic blue into your home.   7. Capri Lights - Jonathan Adler - We love the idea of capri blue lights around the house, such a fun pop of color!   8. Aurora Azure - Calico Wallpaper - Fresh, buoyant and delightful wallpaper for a unique accent!   9. Triangle Jacquard Throw - West Elm - A super soft throw in an edgy print, perfect for the modernist.   10. Leather Moroccan Pouf - Jonathan Adler - Poufs are the must-have accessory of the year, and why not in blue leather?   11. Diagonal V Tiles - Cement Tile Shop - We love patterned tiles for the kitchen, bathroom backsplash or even for the floor!   12. Tolix Marais A Chair - Design Within Reach - Kitchens are one of the best places to add color and these classic turquoise chairs are the cutest!

If you love the idea of taking your home from "A tribute to tan" to something more fun and exciting but don't know how, we would love to help! Feel free to reach out to us.

Click here to see more blog posts by Paula Ables Interiors.  

Mid-Century Moment

Modern, Mid-century styles are definitely having a moment right now and we are loving it! In fact, mid-century designs have become recognized as classic, American staples in today's design world, and we expect them to stick around for years to come. "Mid-Century modern" describes mid-20th century developments in modern design & architecture. After WWII this design movement evolved out of the need to replace pre-war styles with fresh, optimistic interiors and architecture. Veterans and their families felt the need to create  new homes with new styles, to put the war behind them. This style is now recognized worldwide as a significant design movement, and has made a major comeback in the design world--particularly interior design.

Some of the major leaders in this movement include: Charles & Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, George Nelson, and many more amazing designers.  Today we are featuring some of these innovators who have provided so much inspiration for us over the years!

[more details after the image]

Mid Century Moment Product Details [from top to bottom, left to right]:

Record Player - Crosley Dansette - Good news for you baby boomers: Record-player sales are up, so pull out all those dusty vinyls from the attic and look trendy while doing it! // Wood Dining Table - Eero Saarinen - A simple & classic, round, dining table with a white aluminum cast for a retro edge // Orange Dining Chair - Eames Molded Fiberglass Chair - The kitchen is always a fun place to add color & lucky for you, this chair design comes in any color you could imagine // White Bubble Lamps - George Nelson - An interesting but simple, elegant but edgy design all in one lamp // Black Ball Clock - George Nelson - One of the most recognizable designs of the mid-century movement, this clock has come to symbolize optimism & technological advances // Bentwood Teardrop Shelf - Urban Outfitters - A fun & functional wall accessory // Sheepskin Rug - Design Within Reach - This functions as a luxurious rug, or an elegant throw over a chair // White & Gray Pillows - West Elm - The crosshatch embroidery on the pillows was a common print of the 50s & 60s // Blue Shag Pillow - Urban Outfitters - Textured accessories add interest & life to a room // Ivory Lamp - West Elm - The organic shape & geometric pattern shine a vintage light on your room // Glass Coffee Table - Isamu Noguchi - With outstanding accuracy & attention to detail, this well-known Coffee Table will please even the most selective design fan // Black Lounge Chair - Charles & Ray Eames - An icon of American design, and comfortable too // Teal Sectional Sofa - Joybird - Merging mid-century with modern in any color you can dream of // Wood Mads Credenza - Rove Kure - Once again, white lacquer accents add a modern, retro touch to a simple storage unit.

As a contemporary Interior Design firm we love this mid-century era and incorporate modern elements in our designs whenever we have the chance. Below are some projects where we have been able to use mid-century pieces to compliment the design of our clients' homes.

See our Barton Hills Remodel/Addition house on Houzz for more photos of this amazing space.

See our Lake Austin Contemporary house for more photos of this amazing space.

See our Spanish Oaks Contemporary house for more photos of this amazing space.

As you can see, our mid-century elements usually come in the form of a chair or a table, but there are endless ways to use classic mid-century modern designs! If you are interested in giving your home a modern update but are not sure how, we would love to help! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or inquiries.

Click here to see more blog posts by Paula Ables Interiors.