56 Comments
Feb 1Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

How do you sit in a chair? I feel like without this information I can't help make a choice.

I like to put my legs up on the arm rest in the absence of an ottoman. So I'd be more in favor of the Overstuffed Club chair. But if you sit criss cross applesauce, I feel like Chair and a Half is better. I can't sit "normal" so I couldn't do the Slipcover or Wingback. It just feels too stiff and honestly, like not enough room.

And I didn't realize I had so many thoughts about chairs.

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Coming back to say THANK YOU for this! I sat in various seats around our house to see what height felt best. This matters esp bc we don’t have room for an ottoman — if I can’t put my feet up, I want to put my head back. Thank you, Danielle. 💞

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I'm so glad you figured that out!

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This is such a great question, Danielle! I am...not sure? The chairs we have at home aren't particularly cuddly, so I think I just sit my feet on the floor or cross-legged?? I wonder if I would sit differently if something was bigger or cozier!

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Feb 1Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

The first chair on the list looks like the so many thoughts chair! It is modern and classic and such a lovely blue. Please get this one!

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Alison, this comment made me chuckle! SMT, if it was a chair. :)

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Feb 1Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

Love a leather chair, but consider the sound it might make when you’re sitting in it. Is one partner asleep while the other is reading in the chair? My parents purchased a leather armchair for their primary bedroom and had to give it away because it was simply too loud!

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Oh! What a good point! This is not the spot for a loud chair, Marguerite - appreciate you flagging this!

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Feb 1Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

The Crate and Barrel Lotus chair seems so cozy! I can count the number of times someone has sat in my bedroom’s wingback chair on one hand.

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Thank you for this, Jessica — I love the *look* of wingbacks but they aren't the most inviting.

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Feb 1Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

Several of these chairs look like they have low backs. When I read, I want a higher back to support my neck. To me, leather is not comfy/cozy. I have a chair similar in style to the rolled arm which is very comfortable. Just buy something with good bones so it will stand the test of time.

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Matt and I have been debating the high vs low back! He wants to sink in and rest his head back, whereas I'm more of a high-back fan. Agree leather is not as cozy!

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Agree with this!

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Feb 1Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

I have a wingback in my bedroom that my parents found in NY (so no clue where from). I love it for sentimental reasons, but also for function. What makes it work for me is that it is semi-circular and wider at the top of the chair than at the base where the arms are. That lets me shift my position around for reading or knitting. I can sit upright, but I can also curl my knees up and rest them on one of the arms, and lean back on the rest of it for support. The Pottery Barn option here seems very narrow to me in comparison.

I personally would focus on arm height - I have a love-hate relationship with things that are the same height all around. When I want to use the chair arm, I don’t want to have to raise my arms to do it.

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Arm height! Great point, Kate - I have recently become very obsessive about dimensions and proportions, because of how they can make or break a piece. Appreciate this reminder to look at more than height/width/depth.

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I love the Barrel chair - it looks so similar to a couch I have in our “blue” room. So my vote is for that one. 💙

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I love that you have a blue room, Susi!

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Feb 1Liked by Elizabeth Holmes

I can attest to the napping ability in a wingback! Something about the angle of the back , you don’t even have to snuggle up to the wings! How about a FBMP find, reupholstered with a stunning print- a floral, a tartan, a British toile … yum!

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The dream, Dixie! We got our living room couch on FBMP and recovered it in a navy linen. I love it so much.

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The English roll arm is my favorite, the blue is lovely. A classic look that goes with antiques and modern as well!

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I vote this one! Sixpenny Elias Chair

The Lotus Chair looks cozy but there's nothing worse than a super sharp square arm when you toss your legs over it to sit sideways with a book. Plus this one you can wash!

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I'm going through the same decision process - here's where I am currently: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/tillie-swivel-chair/s163423?oc=1,356 I'd prefer the larger size, but it might overwhelm our space. Good luck with your decision!

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We had a wingback in our bedroom for five years for these exact reasons and I think I sat in it maaaaybe 3 times. It was just not comfortable or the vibe for a bedroom reading book situation, especially cuddling with kids. We recently got something that’s pretty similar (a vintage) to the Crate and Barrel option and it’s 1000x better and in the 6 months it’s been there I’ve used it constantly (and I haven’t used it as a clothes rack either lol).

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Feb 1·edited Feb 1
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Oh! I like this, Nicole, and the little ottoman that comes with it — we've been debating whether we can get an ottoman that lives next to the chair and slides over as needed (we don't have space to have it just live in front of it)

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I agree that if wingback is the style choice, a more modern version like this suggestion would be more inviting than the option included in the list of six chairs

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I vote for the Six Penny one! It's beautiful and I think fits all of your criteria. Slipcover is so cozy to me and it is a bedroom/reading chair after all! However, I would like to throw one more chair in the ring... haha https://www.crateandbarrel.com/crawford-slipcovered-chair-with-box-pleated-skirt-by-jake-arnold/s248268

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I say Queen Anne chair that reclines. I had one and loved it.

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There are so many great options! I really enjoyed the personifications, Elizabeth! Once I read them they made a lot of sense, good luck with your search!

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