I need some chairs

[tiecollector]

I have a large and spacious 230 sq ft studio that I just moved into and am still furnishing it. I managed to modify and repaint some hand-me-downs but now I need somewhere to sit. I plan on being at this place for probably at least a year. The place isn't big but I need somewhere to sit in front of my TV (which is really my old LCD with s-video input). I need something relatively small and hopefully something versatile enough to bring with me. I was thinking of getting something like this: http://www.moderncollections.com/ind...WPROD&ProdID=4 I would probably get the chocolate color since it is a classic look. The price is at the top end of my budget. I was thinking two chairs and a small tulip table in between. I don't know if I am going to get 2 of the Barcelona style chairs or if I will mix and match. The 30"x30" footprint is about as large as my place can take. Maybe could pair the Barcelona with something like this http://www.moderncollections.com/ind...ROD&ProdID=203 or http://www.moderncollections.com/ind...ROD&ProdID=159 I worry about the quality of the furniture. I have never bought furniture before really. Some of these chairs cost $5k, and this one costs about $1k. How do I know what is good? I have been to Ikea and while I have bought many things from there like shelving and wall decoration, I would never buy their sitting furniture, it is a complete waste of money. Even at Target a decent looking chair is $200+.

 

[caelte]

The Era chair looks really junky.
Two of the Barcelona chairs is a good idea. You can put them together to have a small sofa.
Price is right.
Versatile for a small place.

 

[MOCAZEN]

I agree the Barcelona chairs are nice, and as previously stated can be put together to form a small lovechair, but I would get the tan colored one instead

 

[Luc-Emmanuel]

I don't know about the quality of these barcelona chairs. They are cheap though, ever for knockoffs, so I wouldn't expect much.
Anyway, barcelona chairs look very nice, but are not comfortable. I wouldn't get them for this purpose. For that kind of budget, you can probably get a nice loveseat from a reputable maker.

!luc

 

[Luc-Emmanuel]

Oh, and the LC basculant chair is very, very uncomfortable. At least for me.

!luc

 

[caelte]

Originally Posted by Luc-Emmanuel

I don't know about the quality of these barcelona chairs. They are cheap though, ever for knockoffs, so I wouldn't expect much.
Anyway, barcelona chairs look very nice, but are not comfortable. I wouldn't get them for this purpose. For that kind of budget, you can probably get a nice loveseat from a reputable maker.

!luc

I read the construction details on the site.
The Barcelona chairs are very well made.
They're probably cheap because of competition.
I've sat on more uncomfortable seating.

 

[summej2]

For ~$2000 I'd look at vintage Knoll over current construction. Try www.wright20.com. They sell at fixed price ("wrightnow") as well as by auction. I've had good experiences with them both as a buyer and seller.

 

[designprofessor]

I've had experience with the Barcelona knock offs. They are actually quite sturdy. I'll never argue with the purists, but on a budget I think they are a good deal. We have several at the university, they take a beating from the students and they have held up great.

I second the above advice on comfort -don't plan on watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy in this chair. My advice is to get the ottoman as well. I'm forever looking to prop my feet up on something.

 

[kronik]

Originally Posted by summej2

For ~$2000 I'd look at vintage Knoll over current construction. Try www.wright20.com. They sell at fixed price ("wrightnow") as well as by auction. I've had good experiences with them both as a buyer and seller.

Very nifty webpage.. but f'ing expensive, holy crap.

 

[LabelKing]

Unfortunately Modernist furniture has become extremely inflated. I blame the people who live in L.A. with their Richard Neutra houses and black Prada suits.

 

[tiecollector]

I sat in a Barcelona at the store today, it wasn't all that uncomfortable, but surely you couldn't watch a long movie in it optimally. My studio is very very small. I will have to put these chairs about 1ft away from my TV. Otheriwse I can go back 3' and be on my bed to watch the movies.

I found another chair that I like even more
http://dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=8108

It is comfortable and has the same foot print as the Barcelona (not reclined).
The wool fabric covering is still $2k, which kinda breaks my bank a little bit. Does anyone know where I can find another similar knock off?

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Unfortunately Modernist furniture has become extremely inflated. I blame the people who live in L.A. with their Richard Neutra houses and black Prada suits.
My wife and I once almost submitted a low-ball bid on a Neutra house that was a major reclamation project. We own no Prada suits.

 

[GQgeek]

Originally Posted by kronik

Very nifty webpage.. but f'ing expensive, holy crap.

holy crap... +1

 

[GQgeek]

http://www.merchantmanager.com/ita63...ASP?pageno=883

Check that out, it could be useful in such limited space. I used to have a studio that was around that size and it's really not a lot to live in. You want all your furniture to provide double function if possible. For instance, I had a coffee with a top that would lift up and towards you so that you could eat off of it while sitting on the couch which was great because i didn't have room for a table. And get low-profile stuff because you don't want furniture to dominate the room. I also recommend that you avoid the barcelona chairs.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by lawyerdad

My wife and I once almost submitted a low-ball bid on a Neutra house that was a major reclamation project. We own no Prada suits.
Sometimes you can find very run-down Frank Lloyd Wright houses for a song too. My new favorite architect is Joao Artacho; he designed really stylish '50s apartment buildings in Brazil. Tom Ford is the perfect example of those rather pretentious people who buy up Modernist furniture, leading to its high prices--Le Corbusier, Jean Prouve all espoused "democratic design".