PRICE GUIDE
THE COST OF AN ARMCHAIR COMES DOWN TO YOUR BUDGET AND THE STYLE YOU DESIRE. DESIGNER TAMSIN PREFERS TO CREATE CUSTOM PIECES, OR SOURCE VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE ITEMS, WHILE LEAH SAYS SOME CUSTOMERS SPEND UPWARDS OF $5000. “SPENDING AROUND $2000 WILL GET YOU SOMETHING OF GREAT STYLE AND QUALITY,” SHE ADDS. >
Textural Treasure
If a tried and true classic is what you are after, Tamsin Johnson recommends sticking to the basics. “A loose linen, slouchy armchair with a nice deep feather and down-filled seat, with a loose skirt and generous arms, is timeless,” she says. “A more glamorous option is a Louis XV armchair with beautiful carved walnut arms and original studwork upholstery.” If a contemporary aesthetic is more to your taste, Leah of Coco Republic nominates curved and sculptural silhouettes. “Textural fabrics including boucle or leather are great options, and there’s also the return of earthy tones such as beige and rust, which are beautiful in interiors,” she says. “For quirky pieces, I suggest neutral colours such as grey, black or white for a more subtle, elegant look.”
STAND-OUT SELECTION
When choosing your hero piece, Tamsin says the intended location of the chair should be considered first, followed by the purpose of the purchase. “The style of fabric, texture and trims should be based on these considerations,” she says. Coco Republic’s Leah concurs, and adds that if floor space is minimal, a curved-back chair with a shorter depth will normally fit into corners well, while a large, soft, pillowy piece might stand out in a clean, modern space. “In a living room, I would recommend thinking about the characteristics and height of your existing sofa, then decide if you want to mix it up and go with something interesting and textural,” says Leah. “The key is usually making a bold statement with contrast – be it in size, shape, or colour.”