Seating as decoration 'at auction'

I went to an auction preview at Stair Galleries in Hudson NY this past weekend for the sale they have coming up June 21st and 22nd. They had fun seating options that marry decoration with the practical. I love the way chairs can some times be just a decorative object, and not really something you'd want to sit on.

This is one of a pair of whimsical carved side chairs (Lot 516) at the Stair auction. Not something I'd want to sit in, but a conversation piece! These have an auction estimate of $600 - $800.

This is a room designed by Lorenzo Castillo in Madrid. The fabulous decorative chair on the right has an interesting shape, and decoration. Not sure how great it would be to sit in for any period of time! The daybed is always a wonderful choice for added interest - and seating!

The designer Rose Uniacke uses a wonderful mix of high and low. The chair is a simple metal garden chair dressed up with a cushion. probably not used very much. 

The daybed in this Ojai, California house (via MarthaStewart.com) is smart looking and a place to lounge by the fire. It creates a focal point in the room.

These daybeds are like magical boats that will whisk you away to some far off dream place. This is from Domino. This room is more about decoration than practicality, but fun to look at! Love the bright yellow walls too.

This Italian Neoclassical walnut window bench has a fabulous shape. The winged arms make it magical. This is Lot 502 in the Stair auction, and has an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200. It would add instant character to a living room, entryway, or wherever it fits!

The shape of the backs of these French petite canapes are what makes them special. I would think about reupholstering them in a black or a black and white stripe for a real statement. These are Lot 492, and each is 52 inches wide. They are from the collection of Jeanne Van Waveren, and have an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000.

For a statement decorative chair, the winged arms of this Italian Neoclassical chair would do the trick. It might be sacrilege, but I would also reupholster this is a dark color to make the wings pop. This is Lot 503, and has an auction estimate of $1,200 - $1,800.

Finally, for something rustic and barely practical, I love garden furniture like this. It's worn and just looks great. This would be fun in an entryway or just sitting against the wall like the one in Rose Uniacke's London home. I wouldn't put a cushion on it though - it would lose some of its charm!









Every room could use a piece of furniture that's more conversation piece than practical. It's just another form of decoration. Keeping this in mind, you can really have fun looking through auction for unusual and fun pieces.

Seating flexibilty - the stool 'at auction'

Everyone needs a few stools around. They are extra, easy to move around seating. They can be a table in a pinch. And they can be a place to rest your feet! They fit neatly away under a console table, or pushed in to a corner waiting to be deployed.

The designer, Isabel Lopez Quesada, flanks a classically arranged console table with two chic stools. In an entryway they can be a great place to sit to put on your shoes, or easily moved in to a room where they're needed.

Via Pinterest

Here a simple, but elegant, stool serves as seating at a drop down desk, and as a samml table next to a chair when needed. 

Elle Decor

The designer, Thom Felicia, uses two upholstered cube stools for seating in a small library to expand the seating. 

From Elle Decor

The living room in Cristina Azario’s renovated brownstone in East Harlem, New York has chic taupe walls, fun kilim covered chairs, and an orange upholstered stool for a pop of color. 

Cakebread Designer Auctions is a new venture of New Orleans Auctions. In their first auction June 8th and 9th they include these two stools. The one on the left is a stylish George III style mahogany stool with very smart upholstery. It's early 20th century and the seat measures 23 x 18 inches. It's Lot 4 and has an auction estimate of $75 - $125.

This ottomon on casters is quite cute. It has lovely crewel upholstery, and would be very versatile and easy to move around. It's 19th century, and the seat is 23 inches in diameter. It is Lot 3 and has an auction estimate of $125 - $250.

There are many stool style options, and I rather like this Thebes stool. It has a rustic and modern feel at the same time. This sold at a Doyle New York auction for $219 off an auction estimate of $300 - $500.

For something much dressier, this Regency style stool would add a decorative element to the room. This sold at a Doyle New York auction for $375 off an auction estimate of $600 - $900.

I need to include some modern examples for those of you with a modern design bent, or for those of you who like to mix modern and antique, as I do! My go-to for modern is Wright Auctions in Chicago.They always have the big names in modern furniture design. The steel and leather stool on the left was designed by Poul Kjaerholm (Danish, circa 1961). It's a PK 91 style, and sold for $3,500 off an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000.

This teak and leather stool was designed by Poul Hundevad who was also Danish, circa 1948. It's a 'Guldhoj' folding stool and sold at Wright for $875 off an estimate of $1,000 - $1,500. I love the shape of the legs - such design interest in something so simple.







Whatever your style, a stool will always find a place in your home, and maybe move around as needs arise. If you are like me, you might just want to re-decorate every once in a while, so the stool in the living room might become a great place to lay towels in the guest bath.