New Contract Furniture

Sometimes I feel a little guilty because I give a bad rap to some of the more outlandish furniture designs out there. I mean, I should give respect where respect is due; I certainly couldn’t come up with some of those wild concepts and then turn them into something tangible that people could, allegedly, sit on comfortably. And besides seating, these crazy chairs give us furniture bloggers something entertaining to write about. So I should really be thankful, right?

In keeping with that line of thought, I would like to formally give thanks for the Verner Panton HÅG Pantonic Chair. I mean… it’s…. just…. I mean, look at the thing. I’ve seen furniture modeled after various fruits and medieval torture devices, but I have never before seen a chair that looks like something juicy that just slid down my wall to form a puddle on the floor. Maybe I’m just too unsophisticated to appreciate its innovative design. Or maybe it really does look like a giant plastic dog just had an accident. I feel too perplexed to judge. What do you think?

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Did you know that natural is the new modern, and plants are the new furniture? Okay, I made that up, but it’s true; natural materials, plants, and anything that helps to bring the outdoors inside is sought after by designers and hotel managers all over the world. Your contract reception furniture is just as likely to come in bamboo as plastic. Why?

There has been a movement to get back to nature when it comes to lifestyles and decorating. Hotels and other businesses want guests to feel right at home, so they try to implement fabrics and plants that one might find in a residence. I have read that hotel chains are adding artificial plants and fake trees to their room decor requirements. This offers all the beauty of plants, but without the expense and upkeep of live plants. Artificial plants are treated like furniture, and just lightly dusted as needed. They’re perfect for softening up contemporary bar tables. Sit them on your commercial bar furniture and add some scented candles for a homey effect.

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It is sometimes forgotten that comfort is as much a part of the dining experience as great food and customer service, conversation and companionship. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: patrons who aren’t comfortable won’t enjoy their meal as much, and they won’t be too quick to recommend the restaurant to others. You don’t want negative word of mouth advertising, so treat your customers to the very beast in padded seating.

Extra comfortable seating is probably a better choice for smaller establishments that focus more on the quality rather than the quantity of their service. High traffic cafes will need diners to clear out sooner to make room for newcomers, but romantic bistros and high end restaurants could benefit from cozier seating options.

Check out the Arper Corte Armchair from Rodolfo Dordoni. It’s got a fully upholstered exterior, available in house leather or suede. But don’t let the soft look fool you; this arm chair is fully commercial grade and has a core of solid steel. It can take whatever your guests throw at it, and will last a very long time – quite a nice investment if you ask me.

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Rocking chairs are an oft overlooked furnishing. They are so comfy and so soothing, I am surprised that more businesses don’t have them available for their guests. I have seen them on outdoor patios behind bohemian book shops; in hospital waiting rooms and delivery rooms for new moms and their visitors; and in one of the most charming bed and breakfasts I have had the pleasure of visiting. Granted, they always remind me just a bit of my grandmother, who really favored her old green rocker. But some of the newer versions are thoroughly modern – and thoroughly enjoyable!

Take a look at the Alban-Sebastien Gilles Neo Rocking Chair. This is not your grandma’s rocking chair. I wish it were my rocking chair, though. I mean, how cool does it look? The Bonluxat web site informs us that the Neo Rocking Chair is available in a wide variety of fabrics and colors, but I am pretty fond of the pumpkin color that’s pictured here. It’s so pretty and seasonal, and it would be a vibrant addition to any warm, spicy decor.

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The furniture you choose says a lot about you. For example, a polished wood table speaks of tradition and elegance. A modern table with simple lines and colors says you strive for harmony and efficiency in your life. So what does it say about you if you choose furniture whose design is based on body parts?

Okay, it’s not (quite) as disturbing as it sounds. The furniture I’m referring to was designed by Salvador Dali, who pretty much has a season pass to the land of surrealism. Still, I can’t help but get just a tad creeped out by his Leda Low Table and its matching arm chair. (You’ll have to forgive the pun; it was unintentional, but unavoidable.)

The Leda chair is basically a collection of three legs that end in high-heeled shoes, with a back formed from two slender arms - all in gleaming brass. The Leda Low Table continues the eerie effect with a base that starts out as an arm, and then curves into a leg. It’s strange. I think I dreamed about something like this once, and was happy when I woke up. Dali differs, in that he has the courage to take something dreamlike and turn it into a real object. The results are full of genius (or madness, depending on how you look at things), and unforgettable.

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Rattan furniture has undeniable appeal. According to Wikipedia, rattan is the name for the roughly six hundred species of palms in the tribe Calameae, native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australasia. It has become famous for its use in making furniture and baskets – and also for its pain-inflicting properties. (It’s the material of choice for a good caning.)

Violent punishments aside, purchasing and caring for rattan furniture is basically painless. But if you want something that lasts even longer, indoors or out, you might want to consider a nice synthetic rattan. Synthetic rattan is made from durable materials that can withstand pressure, heat, or moisture with ease. This makes synthetic rattan the perfect choice for garden seating. And since it’s available in so many colors, you can select pieces that match your foliage and flowers.

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