Give Your Room a Leg Up
The right furniture leg can make all the difference between a well-choreographed space and one that falls flat
Some people are so taken by a chair's seat base or back or a table's smooth surface that they completely forget to look at what's supporting the entire structure. Short and muscular or slender and towering, the right table or chair leg can really add that extra oomph to a room. Take a look at these beautiful examples and gather ideas on how to bridge function and fun in your home by choosing the right furniture leg for your space.
Complement and contrast with wood. These Cherner bar stool legs provide just the right amount of curve and contrast to the angular floating cabinets and kitchen countertop surface. "The Cherner chairs reference the natural world in both form and material. Their lustrous brown color and feminine stance appeal to the eye and juxtapose against the masculine lines of the kitchen island," says home stager Robin DeCapua.
The curves of the tanned stool legs also echo the curves of the porcelain vases and chandelier crystal. From this perspective the stools look like three women with their backs turned, standing side by side. "The curves and streamlined nature of the wood add a sense of lightness to the space and complement the hard lines of the contemporary kitchen," says interior designer Allison Jaffe.
The curves of the tanned stool legs also echo the curves of the porcelain vases and chandelier crystal. From this perspective the stools look like three women with their backs turned, standing side by side. "The curves and streamlined nature of the wood add a sense of lightness to the space and complement the hard lines of the contemporary kitchen," says interior designer Allison Jaffe.
|
by Mikel Irastorza
»
|
| Echo elements of the room. In this room, the dining table's curved leg shape speaks to the traditional paneling and decorative molding in interior designer Mikel Irastorza's bright and lofty apartment. "Pairing the table with fresh, white modern chairs makes the room sing. Although the other elements in the room speak fluent modern, the table does much of the heavy compositional lifting by pulling the room together," says DeCapua. |
Throw in a few twists. This oenophile's tasting suite is filled with lines and right angles: Take note of the storage racks, Philippe Starck Kong Barstool legs and sliding balcony door frame. What better way to contrast this angular and contemporary space than with the addition of a twisted cocktail table? Its twisted shape and weather-beaten appearance add an entirely new silhouette to the otherwise sleek suite.
|
by Emily McCall
»
|
| Consider a curvy silhouette. This warm and airy dining room is predominantly rustic and vintage in style. But instead of adding more lines to the space by way of wooden chairs or benches, or by pairing the table with upholstered seats, modern Panton chairs were used by the homeowner, adding whimsy and a touch of playfulness to the space. DeCapua reminds us that "too many straight legs makes a room start to look like a picket fence." Take heed and throw your room a curve every now and then. |
| |
| Remove visual interruptions. The use of Lucite chair and bench legs keeps the visual plane in this room from being interrupted and allows the different blue and white pattern scales to shine. The Clear Choice: Lucite Chairs |
In this living room, the Lucite coffee table gives the illusion of a floating coffee table and shows off a patterned rug without creating a visual interruption.
| |
| Add stability with a stylish stump. Try surrounding a massive trunk base with chairs that provide contrast. In this modern dining area, the Ferruccio Laviana UFO oval table is encompassed by Saarinen armchairs; the skinny, tubular steel legs of the modern chairs lessen the heavy visual weight of the hefty table foundation. Modern Icons: Saarinen's Executive Chair |
| |
| Create an illusion. A three-legged table with just two legs, the Noguchi table adds a sculptural and illusory effect to this perfectly styled and polished midcentury-modern living room. In a space where all the other furniture legs are straight and predictably come in fours, the free-form sculptural base legs of the iconic, elegant low table seem to beg everyone not to take themselves too seriously. More: Six Tips for Choosing the Perfect Sofa 10 Things to Consider When Choosing a Coffee Table |
Ideabook published on April 14, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
Pretty Pegs ships to the US and Canada! http://prettypegs.se/
Your local hardware store should have a few legs available as well as places like Osborne Wood.