The 'Three Cs' of Feminine Chair Flair
We Don't Make This Stuff Up! Curves, Color and Cloth Give a Chair Definite She-Appeal
In my last ideabook I told you about 9 Elements that make a perfect Man Chair. But rest assured, men don't get to have all of the cool chairs! Although women often like man chairs too because of the same elements — comfort, armrests, roominess — our sense of style is often very different, and there are many chair styles that are undeniably feminine.
If you are looking to add feminine style to your room, just use my "3 Cs" — curves, color and cloth — to turn up the feminine flair. And, before anyone starts calling me sexist and accusing me of stereotyping, I don't make this stuff up, you know! This is coming from years of watching men and women react to furniture styles.
In fact, at a client meeting I had just last night, the wife was baffled by her husband's love of one chair and serious dislike of another. I pointed out that one was a man chair and one definitely was more feminine. As soon as I said it, he agreed and pointed to the curvy little legs on it. Needless to say, we are buying the more masculine chair, which appeals to them both. Happy ending.
If you are looking to add feminine style to your room, just use my "3 Cs" — curves, color and cloth — to turn up the feminine flair. And, before anyone starts calling me sexist and accusing me of stereotyping, I don't make this stuff up, you know! This is coming from years of watching men and women react to furniture styles.
In fact, at a client meeting I had just last night, the wife was baffled by her husband's love of one chair and serious dislike of another. I pointed out that one was a man chair and one definitely was more feminine. As soon as I said it, he agreed and pointed to the curvy little legs on it. Needless to say, we are buying the more masculine chair, which appeals to them both. Happy ending.
Warning: Dangerous Curves! In my opinion, hands down, the Cherner chair is the most feminine looking chair on the planet — and that goes double for the barstool version. That slim little waist, flared seat and long shapely legs would make Barbie jealous. It's the barstool I would choose.
Color affects us deeply, and pink is still the females' domain. The curvy lines of these chairs, combined with their shell-pink silk upholstery, are all feminine charm in this lovely room. Girls (and women) only here!
Cloth can turn a masculine chair into a more feminine version. Satin, silk, and velvet are especially appealing to women. In this dining room, adding the soft violet velvet pattern to the end chairs adds just the right touch of femininity to the room. I wonder who sits at the head of this table?
Wingback chairs are classics and work for both sexes. But upholstering this one in white and having the crisp black edge all the way around it feels so Coco Chanel to me.
And these chairs evoke the same type of feminine elegance for me.
Do you have a room that feels very masculine in style that you'd like to balance a little more? The satin looking floral patterned upholstery and the rounded back add enough feminine style to keep this room balanced in its appeal to men and women.
I had almost included these chairs from the same designer portfolio in my man chair ideabook until I looked closer at the upholstery. The lines are strong and angular, which men love! But, again, the upholstery adds enough feminine style so that a woman feels right at home too.
These chairs have strong lines, roomy style and the gray color would appeal to men, but the curves on their arms and shiny, silky cloth keep them from being overly masculine.
Yes, I know, not technically a chair, it's a chaise. But what could be more feminine than a lavender velvet tufted chaise with dainty little legs? It has color, curves and cloth all working together. I think many guys would look at this and actually take a step back.
Christopher Guy Designs
Christopher Guy's designs with his trademark crossed legs are definitely on the feminine side of style. They remind me of being told that ladies don't cross their legs, they cross their ankles. Looks like his chairs have definitely been to finishing school.
Tell me: Have you had a run-in with a man in your household over chair style? How did you resolve it?
More: Browse chairs in the Products section
9 Elements of the Perfect Man Chair
Tell me: Have you had a run-in with a man in your household over chair style? How did you resolve it?
More: Browse chairs in the Products section
9 Elements of the Perfect Man Chair