Wednesday, May 25, 2016

My Idea of Real Comfort Is...


I recently found a fun 1980 House & Garden article in which top designers were asked to define comfort. Not surprisingly, most designers linked comfort to comfortable seating, including Billy Baldwin, whose Nantucket bed-sitting room, seen above, exemplified the designer's notion that comfort is "a first-class upholstered chair and everything within easy reach."


Designer Robert Lewis, with whom I'm not familiar, also believed comfort involved a well-upholstered chair, but comfort was atmospheric, too: "Wonderful fabric, herbs, flowers, good music- a place to unwind."



For Michael Taylor, comfort was "a seating arrangement that really works."  One such successful arrangement can be seen here, on Taylor's own terrace.  The wicker furniture was also designed by Taylor.



I agree wholeheartedly with William Hodgins' thoughts on comfort: "A casual stuffed sofa and a good mystery book."  I could easily relax- and read mystery novels- in this room designed by Hodgins.


No surprise that Denning and Fourcade showed rather elaborate upholstered chairs to illustrate comfort.  For Denning, it was "a chair where you can slump, put your feet up and make a telephone call," while Fourcade called for "a chair that you can sink into so that it completely enfolds you."



"Easy-to-move extra chairs that make your furniture arrangement flexible," said designer John Dickinson.  Such an important design consideration, and one that Dickinson acknowledged in his San Francisco home, above.


For Mario Buatta, comfort was linked with scent.  "A good piece of furniture, with pillows to rest your feet on- and a wonderful fragrance in the air."  In this photo of Buatta's home, you will find Freesia, potpourri, and pomander balls on the table next to the fireplace.



For Bob Patino, comfort was a soak in a "large deep tub full of hot water."



And finally, for Sister Parish, comfort meant "a room where one can relax and have tea with friends," something which, by the looks of it, she could do easily in her bedroom.


All photos from House & Garden, February 1980.

6 comments:

  1. great post! I always enjoy seeing these fabulous vintage magazine articles, I find them so much more inspiring than looking at current publications! Robert Lewis was a Long Island / NYC based designer from the 60's - 80's and together with his wife Joy Owned Mrs. John L Strong in its glory years. (random info for a Wednesday morning)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Billy, Thank you so much for letting me know about Lewis's career. I Googled him, but could find nothing. I'm most appreciative!

      Delete
  2. I must agree with Sister...hands down! xx.dt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Danny, Without a doubt, Sister was a champ at creating a comfortable room.

      Delete
  3. Great post. I love seeing these embracing spaces. John Dickinson's room was a surprise. Thank you. xoxo Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary, So glad you enjoyed it. JD's work was so unique. There was nothing else like it.

      Delete