The Modern Materialist : chairs

The Weeble Seat

Alex Zalben — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:05:00 GMT

Well, this is a really cool idea:

Based on the old toy weebles, this seats will rock, but never fall down. Pretty good idea for those of us who regularly fall off chairs in a hilarious manner.

Not me, necessarily. But I have a friend who does that. Not me.

[Via Curbly]

This Chair Is For The Birds

Alex Zalben — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:35:00 GMT

Though there's part of my brain that wonders whether this concept is comfortable, there's the other part that just thinks it's adorable. Thoughts, Materialistas?

[Via Behance]

Equation: Strut + Style

Steph Auteri — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:03:00 GMT

In this case, the name of this Peacock Chair by Dror Benshetrit is perfectly apt. And since we love peacocks so much, I thought I should share it with you.

[Via Design Milk]

Most Dangerous Chair Ever (For Your Balls)

Alex Zalben — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:01:00 GMT

Guys, tell me if you're with me on this: this chair actually makes my eyes water to look at, and my crotch feel weird. Ladies, I'm curious to see what you think...

[Via Behance Network]

Sit On a Cactus

Alex Zalben — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:07:00 GMT

This insane looking cactus chair was designed by Valentina Glez Wohlers for Milan Design Week to mix Mexican and European design elements. And, you know, cacti. But that's not the craziest part of the chair... This is:

You wouldn't think there'd be actual prickles in this thing, but you'd be wrong.

[Val]

[Via DesignBoom]

Related: Don't Prick Yourself, Cactus Mug

Chair or Closet?

Diana Vilibert — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:32:00 GMT

We all have that one piece of funiture, whether it's a chair or a treadmill, that acts as a faux-closet. The piece after the jump will mock you and gently remind you to clean up after yourself:

Clever.

[Punga and Smith]

Crystals + Fibers = ???

Alex Zalben — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:35:00 GMT

Can you guess what this guy is growing, using only crystals, fibers, and classical music? It's a...

Chair. Yup, this guy is growing chairs. Oh, and the classical music? It's to encourage the growing crystals to choose their own form, making whatever kind of chair they want.

Wow.

[Via Inhabitat]

This Messenger Bag Has A Secret

Alex Zalben — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:04:00 GMT

I hope you're sitting down, because this messenger bag has a pretty big secret, and I'm going to tell you directly what it is:

It folds out into a director's chair! Get it? Sitting down? Directly? I am a brilliant comedian.

[$130, Hammacher Schlemmer]

[Via Uncrate]

Taking Your Shopping Habit Too Far

Steph Auteri — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:39:00 GMT

I know we all love us the Internet shopping.

And the non-Internet shopping.

But now you've just gone too far.

[$894, Reestore]

For those who love swiping shopping carts from the local supermarket parking lot.

This Chair is a Dream Come True

Steph Auteri — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:19:00 GMT

[Photo via]

I dream about going paragliding. Dreaming in the WAVE chair by Royal Botania seems to take me a little bit closer:

[$19,512, Encompass Designer Furniture]

[Via Design Milk]

Equation: Tank My Breath Away

Laureen Mahler — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:57:00 GMT

[Deviant Art]

I hereby propose that all tank treads be immediately transformed into curvy designer chairs; the world will consequently be much nicer, and much more comfortable.

[via Cribcandy]

Brilliant or Blasphemous: A Multitasking Mona Lisa Chair

Steph Auteri — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:54:00 GMT

An extension of art? Or a cheap commodification?

No, not the Mona Lisa with her bazooka. I'm talking about this chair by Korean designer Kwang Hoo Lee, which basically invites you to sit on Mona's face:

When the chair is not in use, it can be folded up and hung as any other painting!

What say you, oh discerning readers?

[Via Gizmodo]

Bed, Bath, and Way Beyond

Laureen Mahler — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:07:00 GMT

If I could spend my entire life in my bathtub, I think I might -- though I probably wouldn't be quite so goth about it. The only problems I foresee are lack of clothing (awkward for social encounters) and the inability to blog (electronics + bath = bad).

But now? Problems solved:

[Reddish]

Brilliant, comfy, and recycling-friendly! And yes, I am a little obsessed with high-concept chairs this week.

Rocking Out, Across the Universe

Steph Auteri — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:53:00 GMT

No. I'm not referring to that awful movie (which, nevertheless, had a pretty awesome version of "I Wanna Hold Your Hand").

Check out the real Universal Rocker, another design from OOOMS:

It's a universal attachment to turn almost any four-legged chair into a real rocking chair! Nifty or just plain weird?

[Via Apartment Therapy]

World's Most Amazing Chair

Laureen Mahler — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:02:00 GMT

It's a fact. This is the world's most amazing chair. It might look like a normal chair, but beneath its minimalist exterior, this chair is the shiznit.

This chair is awesome because it can do this:

And this:

[Design Blog]

And about twenty-seven other things that haven't been photographed yet.

This chair is called the Calypso Chair, and it was made for the techno-savvy seated person: it's got ports and plugs and places to store your gadgets. You can even sleep on it, so that your laptop isn't lonely while you're counting sheep.

But just in case you can't afford the (as of yet unpriced) designer Calypso Chair, here's the Sam's Club version:

[$293, Sam's Club]

The Sam's Club Calypso Chair also comes with accent pillows. Just so you know.

Your Stardate Will Be Over If She Sees This

Alex Zalben — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:02:00 GMT

In college, I bought this blow-up Darth Maul chair, and thought it was the coolest thing ever. This was when I wasn't dating anyone, so, there is that. And though what you're about to see is certainly an upgrade, it still boldly goes where no man hoping to get nooky should go before (or after):

It's a life sized, original captain's chair from Star Trek! No word on price yet, but it should be available soon at your local Nerd Hut.

[Via Newsarama]

Send Your Kids To The Chair

Alex Zalben — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:02:00 GMT

You wouldn't normally think that building a chair would be a fun activity for kids, but the Chairfix Junior proves you (and me, I guess) wrong:

You receive a plain, flat version of the plywood chair, which you can design however you like before you assemble it, eliminating those tough to reach corners. Pretty cool idea for kids of any age.

[70EUR, Buisjes En Beugels]

[Via Freshome]

Defy Gravity From the Safety of Your Home

Steph Auteri — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:07:00 GMT

Things That Make Me Feel Weightless:

the prospect of shopping
singing the "Hallelujah Chorus"
a book I can't tear my eyes away from
the moment when a cat snuggles itself into the curve of my hip, or settles itself down on my chest and purrs
this chair. Or so I assume...

[Varier]

According to the website, this chair is "the closest you will ever get to achieving zero gravity."

[Via Wishlist]

We're Obsessed With Spills

Alex Zalben — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:26:00 GMT

My only guess is that we're always sloppy drunk here, and need excuses to plaster our apartment with items that make it look how we do. Regardless, these stools and chairs by Dutch designer Anna Ter Haar are kind of gross, and beautiful at the same time. My favorite one is above, but the rest are well worth checking out:

[Anna Ter Haar]

[Via DesignBoom]

Sit With Dexter

Alex Zalben — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:40:00 GMT

Like Dexter? Then you're going to love this dining room set:

Inspired by the show Dexter, the pieces are now being sold off by the designer. You can even snag an arm chair signed by Dexter himself. Just don't expect super serial killer powers to follow.

[Spring 3D]

[Via Cool Hunting]

Giant Coffee Cup or Tiny Man?

Diana Vilibert — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:05:00 GMT

For those mornings when your usual one cup of coffee just won't do, try to fill this cup with your favorite brew. Or, you know, just use it as a stool. The site that sells this also makes sure you know that "you can fit a four year old child in here (or younger) if you, er, really want to!!!"

Um. Ok.

[£59.95, Limiteds]

Related: Vans Sk8-HI Sneaker Chair

A Button For Your Bottom

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:33:00 GMT

Cute buttons, right? Actually, they're not buttons at all:

They're stools, and they're called "buttom stools," which is adorable if you ask me. The button design is cute--I just wished the looked a little more comfortable for the bottom.

[Macalula]

Is This a Ghost?

Alex Zalben — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:34:00 GMT

Can you figure out what this is? How about if I show you a different angle?

Yup, it's a limited edition "Ghost Chair." Price available on request...

[Generate]

Related: The $7000 [Sleeping Bag] Chair

World's Most Expensive Office Chair

Alex Zalben — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:05:00 GMT

How much would you pay for the above office chair: $100? $1000? How about...

$1.5 million. The Aresline Xten ergonomic office chair, designed by Italian company Pininfarina. The chair uses, "dynamic fabric utilized by Olympic athletes for durability, and Technogel that forms to the contour of the body and reduces seating pressure and fatigue by over 60%."

Yeah, so how much does your office cost?

[Via Luxist]

That Chair Makes You Look Fat

Alex Zalben — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:02:00 GMT

When you sit down, unless you're totally toned, you probably start to feel kind of fat, right? Getting a little muffin top over your jeans? Well, this ain't gonna help that:

[Atpyk]

[Via Gizmodo]

Related: Transformers, Be a Frog

Cowgirl Chic Is So Two Summers Ago...

Steph Auteri — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:40:00 GMT

...but that hasn't stopped designer Fernando Akasaka from designing the softest leather bottom to hug her butt...

The Cowboy Junkie Saddle Stool. Pester Fernando for one of your own.

[Via Cool Hunting]

Satisfy the Need for Speed Without Moving an Inch

Steph Auteri — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:19:00 GMT

This seat will make you the fastest guy in the office:

[$4,000, RaceChairs]

RaceChair takes actual seats from sports cars and converts them into office chairs (above is a Ferrari Challenge). The collection includes Maseratis, Porsches, and more, and ranges from $2,000-$10,000.

[Via Born Rich]

Concepts We Wish Would Succeed: Zero-Gee

Steph Auteri — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:00:00 GMT

5 Things I Like To Do Whilst Reclining:

catch a few zs
lose myself in a book
watch CSI DVDs
sexy-time (TMI?)
crack my back with a spinal stretch

One more thing I wish I could do lying down:

[Jetro]

Lord, I could handle at least 75% of my life in that chair.

[Via Born Rich]

A Riddle About Bean Bag Chairs

Alex Zalben — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Question: When is a bean bag chair not a bean bag chair?

Answer: When it's made out of solid steel!

Also: That doesn't look comfortable!

Also: It's pricey!

[$4500, MOB]

[Via Freshome]

Your Man Needs a Strap-On

Alex Zalben — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:30:00 GMT

Here's a secret you may not know, ladies: your man could use a good strap-on. In fact, I bet you would enjoy him with a strap-on, as well. You might even say, if your man had a good strap-on, you'd throw your legs up, and relax.

What am I talking about? Why, this of course:

See, wouldn't that be nice? Strap-On Chair is part of a design installation by Annika Schmidt. She has plenty of other cool little items at her website, so check 'em all out.

[Annika Schmidt]

[Via Design Spotter]