Haute Residence presents a colorful roundup of unique, iconic chairs, so artistic they could double as art installations:
#1. Miss Blanche
World renowned Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata's "Miss Blanche" was inspired by a corsage donned by Vivien Leigh, who starred as Blanche DuBois in the famed play, "A Streetcar Named Desire."
The beautiful acrylic and aluminum chair is embedded with artificial roses, which appear to float within the delicate structure. Kuramata had a strong interest in creating the illusion of floating, so all kinds of artificial flowers from all over Japan were collected, and models were made over and over again until he chose the roses to best achieve the illusion of floating in space.
#2. Ben-Hur
The French furnishings powerhouse Roche Bobois tapped Jean Paul Gaultier to create a limited-edition line for its 50th anniversary, and one of the resulting works include a chariot-style "Ben-Hur" armchair.
The striking, avant-garde laminated aluminum structures have a fabric upholstered seat (available in green, red or blue velvet), and cost $6,500 apiece.
#3. Power'Nap
The Power'Nap sculptural piece was designed by Ninna Helena Olsen in Denmark in 2008.
Inspired by Japanese folding technique "origami," the chair is made of sleek white, spray-painted steel plates, which house fabric seats. Its design allows you to recline with your head discreetly shaded, allowing you to take a "power nap" in private.
#4: Alessandra
Designed by Javier Mariscal in 1995, "Alessandra" is constructed out of injected flame-retardant foam over and an internal steel frame, and is available in felt or leather.
Purchasable at Moroso, the colorful, visually-alluring design demonstrates Mariscal's love of comic books.
#5: Keystone
Produced by Danish firm Please Wait to be Seated, this version of the Keystone chair was designed by Studio OS & OOS in the Netherlands.
The Keystone is inspired by the three basic elements of a Roman bridge: the spanners, the elemental building blocks, and the keystone; which, when inserted, complete the fundamental arch shape.
Each of the three parts has been covered in a different textile from the collection designed by fashion designer Raf Simons for Kvadrat, which launched earlier this year. Designed to be a more practical version of its concrete and ceramic predecessor (below), this edition of Keystone—which costs around $4,500—is built around a wooden frame.
Photos and Details courtesy of Dezeen, Please Wait to be Seated, and Moroso
