Week #6
Reclining Chair, “Michael”
Designer: unknown, for Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams
Year: unknown
Description: leather upholstery, kiln-dried wood frame
Estimated cost: $1700
Why I chose this chair: I like the look of it. Period. That 1930’s modern look, but with the practicality and comfort of a recliner. Brilliant.
After reading much about it, and recliners, in general, I have discovered a few things:
1. Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams recliners are all really attractive and don’t look like recliners. In fact, MG+BW marketed them using that very phrase: “recliners that do not look like recliners.”
2. This particular recliner is said to be exceptionally comfortable, due to the synergy of its pitch, its high-quality (and soft) leather upholstery, and its pleasing cushioning.
3. Interior Design experts seem to reject recliners outright despite their mass appeal. Apparently a well-designed interior cannot, in good conscience or taste, also incorporate a recliner.
4. Recliners are often prescribed as part of a treatment program for people with a variety of medical problems (e.g. arthritis, back injuries, varicose veins, etc.) because they often alleviate the painful symptoms associated with such problems. Oh, and pregnant women love them, probably for that very reason.
5. There are as many opinions about recliners as there are rear-ends that sit on them. (One website I found called recliners, “the furniture icon of the proletarian.” It made me mad.)
I had no idea that recliners were so controversial. Go figure.
I just thought the comfortable Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams “Michael Recliner” was gorgeous in a sophisticated, yet manly kind of way, and that it would make a perfect “Chair of the Week.”
Manly, sophisticated and comfortable. Isn’t that really what every great recliner should be?
[…] Chair of the Week […]