contemporary chaise lounges

Chaise lounges (or, with respect to the French, chaise longue) have always struck me as a bit of a luxury. Nobody will argue with the necessity of sofas and the occasional accent chair, but chaises seem to be pure and simple indulgence–not that there’s anything wrong with that! Above: the richly textured Antibodi chair by Patricia Urquiola draws inspiration from both immunology and botany. Each reversible petal is two-sided combination of either felt/wool or wool/leather. Antibodi can change its appearance to suit a masculine or feminine decor: when the petals are pushed down en masse, the chair resembles a slice of a geodesic dome. When the petals are folded upwards, the chaise lounge blooms just like a real flower.

The Antibodi is clearly three-dimensional on a textural level, whereas the Lofty Chaise Longue applies geometry on an architectural scale. Looking somewhat like a stealth fighter, this geometrically elegant chair can be found in either polyurethane or stunning stainless steel. Although seemingly unstable, Lofty manages to balance its entire frame on a single point at the base of the stainless steel stand. The stand is mirror-polished to further enhance its floating appearance.

The ear-like Eames La Chaise takes an a-geometric approach, opting for a playfully organic design. Its very shape is a testament to advances made in fiberglass molding as well as the amazing creative energies issuing forth during the 50s and 60s. Much like Antibodi this is another “floating” design; the lightly colored seat and thin chromed legs are geared towards minimizing its visual footprint.

Perhaps more traditional but still quite contemporary are the Granada and Metropolitan Chaise Lounges. The Granada has a sleek, two-toned silhouette and tastefully employs curves without going overboard. Its dark, espresso finished wood frame is minimally topped with a cream microfiber pad. The Metropolitan, however manages to be comfortable without sacrificing its lithe figure. Supple leather upholstery, headrest and button-tufted accents make this an inviting chair – at only $699, it’s fairly affordable too.

For maximum comfort, the LC4 Chaise Longue is worthy of consideration. Its zigzag frame mimics the natural curves of the body, while an arced rail underneath makes it easy to adjust the chair from an upright to a fully reclined position. By default the LC4 is upholstered in full-grained black leather. Those of you who desire a warmer, more rustic appearance can opt for a cowhide version, complete with cow spots.