Topanga Swivel Chair

The Topanga is a deep-seated swivel chair from Four Hands with the proportions of a club chair and the loose, easy posture of a reading chair. Underneath is a poplar plywood and solid pine frame with a webbed seat, and the arms angle in slim and low so the body of the chair stays open. The swivel base is hidden, which means the chair looks like an ordinary upholstered armchair until someone turns it a full rotation toward the window.

Upholstery changes the character of the chair more than anything else. The fabric options include textured boucle-style weaves, a slubby linen blend, and a plum and an olive, and the performance weaves are made to stand up to spills and daily wear. The range also includes top-grain leather from a family-owned tannery in Bassano del Grappa, Italy, with natural markings left in, and a shearling version with a deep, woolly pile. A single loose pillow rests against the back and gives each version a lived-in look that pairs with plaster-toned walls, walnut side tables, and a graphic rug underfoot.

Set it in a living room corner where it can turn between a conversation and a view. It also works at the end of a bed, beside a bookcase in a study, or at a desk that needs a softer seat than a task chair. Because the swivel is quiet and the footprint is compact for its comfort, it moves easily from the room's center to its edge as the evening changes.