Noel Chair

A Deco-minded armchair from Four Hands, built around a rounded back, sloped arms and a deep vertical channel that runs the height of the backrest. The upholstery is a performance fabric made to shrug off spills, stains and daily traffic, so the soft, cushioned seat can be used rather than guarded. Underneath, the seat rides on S-spring suspension over foam and fiber batting, and the frame stands on an iron base with tapered legs finished in hammered black.

The silhouette borrows from the curves of early twentieth-century salon chairs and softens them for current rooms. The channeling gives the back a sculptural, almost architectural rhythm, while the dark iron legs keep the whole form light on the floor. The upholstery comes in quiet, earthy tones, and each one pairs easily with walnut, aged brass, lacquer or a velvet sofa.

Set one beside a fireplace, pair two across from a sofa, or give it a corner of the bedroom as the reading chair that holds a stack of books and a robe. The wide, low seat suits curling up with a cup of coffee, and the arms are sized for resting a book or a mug. In an entry or a study, it works as a single statement piece with room to breathe around it.