phdesign: chair construction

Why are some chairs more comfortable than others? Why are some more expensive? How do you define high-quality chair construction?

With thousands of online and brick + mortar stores out there the furniture market is extremely difficult to navigate. Speaking from personal experience it can be a daunting task to not only find the perfect piece but also verify that it is a good investment. More expensive does not always mean better and high-quality simply isn't what it used to be. So, how do you know if what you're buying is comfortable without sitting in it and is made to last?

Before I get technical, have you ever sat in a chair or on a sofa that just felt luxurious? There weren't lumps in the cushions or springs digging into your cheeks, the frame felt like it wasn't made out of cardboard and the cushions envelop rather than barely support you. Kind of like a gentle but substantial hug. Ok, maybe you aren't as aware of this feeling as I am but when you sit on a great piece of furniture, you just know. Right?

I'd like to let you in on two little secrets. In my opinion, these are the key elements of chair "guts" that give it the lux feeling I'm talking about:

1. Eight way hand-tied springs

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Mention this method to any interior designer and they will be immediately impressed. A common industry term, this technique most commonly speaks to the construction of a seat cushion. At a baseline we begin with the strongest, most resilient and long lasting springs on the market. On top of those coiled springs twine is used to tie them together in eight directions, hence the name 8-way hand tie. What this does is provides better stability in the seat, keeps the springs from shifting around and also controls the downward pressure of the coil which can provide various degrees of firmness. Basically, it makes the seat more comfortable and prolongs the life of your piece.

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2. Down filling

{I'm using pillows as an example, but down can also be found in cushions} 

These are the same custom-made fabric pillow cases. The one on the left is filled with goose down feathers and the one on the right is a run-of-the-mill foam filler. It's clear that the look of the down pillow is more sophisticated and inviting from a design standpoint but it's also significantly more comfortable. Where the foam creates a barrier between you and the sofa, down becomes part of the piece by taking the form of the occupant. It's a pain to constantly "fluff' the pillow or cushion back to shape after family members {who shall remain nameless} get done lounging but from a design and comfort point of view it's worth every penny. Also, for those that don't dig feathers, there are plenty of down alternatives that still give a similar look and feel. 

As I have mentioned before we love beautiful things here at Copper + Walnut but quality and function still reign supreme. If it isn't comfortable and doesn't work in your home, does it matter if it's pretty? We  are pre-screening our entire collection to include details, like the two listed above, so that our clients know they are making a sound investment. Oh, and that nap that you'll inevitably take on these cushions will be so much more enjoyable. Just don't drool on the nice pillows.

Hopefully these two tips will help you successfully navigate the vast market of furniture. If not, at least you can laugh at my potentially unbalanced passion for comfortable seating. 

Happy Tuesday!