Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

The perfect perch starts with the proper furniture

- KATIE LAUGHRIDGE Adapted from nellhills.com. Katie Laughridge is the owner of Kansas City, Mo., interior design shop Nell Hill’s.

Few things are more sacred than your designated seat in the living room. It seems every time my family gathers together we go to our unofficial (but also very official) assigned seats in our shared living spaces.

My favorite perch features an easy swivel to allow for fullroom surveillan­ce and a firm cushion for ultimate support that allows me a nice bounce to launch after catching my 4-year-old inevitably getting into mischief on one of my spins around the room. My husband, on the other hand, prefers a well-broken-in sofa you can sink into for a long nap or for the viewing of a long game (sometimes he achieves both at the same time). Our son tends to be drawn to the ottoman of all places and has transforme­d it into the trampoline of his dreams (which, for the record, I do not officially recommend).

The more I got to thinking about this, the more I realized our chairs are much more than just furniture at this point — they resonate with our personalit­ies through our style preference­s and the functional­ity that comes with it. It has me wondering, what do our different chairs say about us? I decided to take a look at some of my favorite designs and break down the form, style, function and status of each to help you find the perfect place to rest. (Disclaimer: All the following chair personalit­ies are purely in jest and have no scientific backing.)

My first favorite is a take on a modified spool chair. The style offers luxury and comfort and is somehow relaxed and structured in its design. It can be softened with delicate fabrics, or it can pull off a more masculine print without a second thought. Upon first look, the perch is regal and firm on the outside with its straight back and wood carved features. But as you come closer, you realize it is truly a softie on the inside. This is a chair you can sink into with its full down cushions. A touch oversized for maximum visual appeal and comfort, this chair is for someone who knows not to judge a book by its cover, someone who can charm at a formal event one minute and relax into a movie marathon at home the next. It truly is the best of both worlds.

When it comes to sectionals, a chase lounge sectional is hard to beat. This huge piece is made to optimize family time with plenty of room to snuggle with loved ones, and also plenty of room to spread out if someone is feeling a bit moody. The lounge sectional is easygoing. Want to take a nap? Perfect. Kick up your legs on the chaise. Hosting a watch party for your favorite show? Plenty of room for the whole gang to comfortabl­y enjoy some time together. This sofa is for someone who knows it’s not the destinatio­n that makes an adventure exciting, but the time spent with those you love.

Last but certainly not least, the elegant and showstoppi­ng wingback chair. This chair walks into a room and all heads turn. If you are looking to make a statement, this is the piece for you. With a flair for the dramatic, this chair can bring luxury and excitement to any room, from bedroom to living room and even your dining area. The wingback is ready to make a statement, and that statement is “Like it or not, I’m here, I’m me, and I’m fabulous.” In fact, it almost feels wrong to call this piece a chair when the term throne is so much more appropriat­e. This throne is confident and living life to fullest — just try to stop it.

 ?? (TNS/Handout) ?? A modified spool chair can be softened with delicate fabrics, or it can pull off a more masculine print without a second thought.
(TNS/Handout) A modified spool chair can be softened with delicate fabrics, or it can pull off a more masculine print without a second thought.
 ?? (TNS/Handout) ?? These wingback chairs make quite a statement.
(TNS/Handout) These wingback chairs make quite a statement.
 ?? (TNS/Handout) ?? This oversize piece is made to optimize family time with plenty of room to snuggle and also plenty of room to spread out.
(TNS/Handout) This oversize piece is made to optimize family time with plenty of room to snuggle and also plenty of room to spread out.
 ?? (TNS/Handout) ?? With a flair for the dramatic, this wingback chair can bring luxury and excitement to any room.
(TNS/Handout) With a flair for the dramatic, this wingback chair can bring luxury and excitement to any room.
 ?? (TNS/Handout) ?? This modified spool chair offers luxury and comfort, relaxed and structured in its design.
(TNS/Handout) This modified spool chair offers luxury and comfort, relaxed and structured in its design.

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