The chaise longue is a classic piece of home furniture which adds an instant touch of glamour to any interior setting, yet its origins remain steeping in mystique.
With its francophone name, unusual shape and somewhat obscure relationship to the armchair or sofa, it's not always easy to understand the chaise longue as an item of furniture let alone consider how best to incorporate the piece into your home.
So if you are keen to learn more about what a chaise is, here is a quick guide to the subject from an interior design insider.
Literally translated from French as a long chair, the term can refer to any reclining chair and also goes by the name of lounge chair making reference to the fact that it tends to be exclusively placed in the living rooms or lounge setting.
Whilst the earliest examples of chaises can be found as far back as Ancient Egypt and Rome, the modern chaise only really rose to prominence in the 17th and 18th century as they became heavily associated with the style and décor of the French Empire period.
For most, it is this unique style of furniture that we think of as a chaise longue in the classic or traditional sense of the word.
Generally speaking, chaise longues are somewhere between a sofa and an armchair in the sense that they combine many features of an upholstered armchair but add a long footstool inviting the user to recline rather than to sit upright on the piece.
Typically covered in fine fabric and occasionally leather, chaises are typically decorative, ornate pieces rather than practical, functional items.
Consequently, the term chaise longue has long been a byword for luxury, indulgence and splendour, connotations which are carried forward to this day.
While there are numerous different designs of chaise available on the market, perhaps the best known is the meridienne style which features a high head rest and an asymmetrical slope.
Popular with the French elite of the 19th century, the meridienne design takes its name from the concept of resting towards the middle of the day when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky.
Unlike Roman or Egyptian styles, the classic meridienne chaise was one of the first of its kind to be upholstered using horsehair as a concern for human comfort became a far more important consideration during this period.
Another popular style of chaise longue is the day bed which is far more stripped back in terms of design incorporating a low rise headrest, bolster cushioning and a flat or gently curved footrest.
From a functional perspective, day beds are extremely similar to the classic chaise longue although they differ stylistically in the sense that day beds tend to work better in minimalist settings where an overtly ornate piece would seem out of place.
For instance, day beds are commonly placed close to windows and in hallways to add a discreet touch of elegance.
They can also be downsized more readily then chaise longues as their design tends to be more simplistic in form.
This is a short guide to the subject of the chaise longue although there is a great deal more to say about this lovely piece.
If you would like to know more on the subject, contact a leading furniture manufacturer or interior designer who is well placed to advise on how to make the most of this furniture piece within your home.
With its francophone name, unusual shape and somewhat obscure relationship to the armchair or sofa, it's not always easy to understand the chaise longue as an item of furniture let alone consider how best to incorporate the piece into your home.
So if you are keen to learn more about what a chaise is, here is a quick guide to the subject from an interior design insider.
Literally translated from French as a long chair, the term can refer to any reclining chair and also goes by the name of lounge chair making reference to the fact that it tends to be exclusively placed in the living rooms or lounge setting.
Whilst the earliest examples of chaises can be found as far back as Ancient Egypt and Rome, the modern chaise only really rose to prominence in the 17th and 18th century as they became heavily associated with the style and décor of the French Empire period.
For most, it is this unique style of furniture that we think of as a chaise longue in the classic or traditional sense of the word.
Generally speaking, chaise longues are somewhere between a sofa and an armchair in the sense that they combine many features of an upholstered armchair but add a long footstool inviting the user to recline rather than to sit upright on the piece.
Typically covered in fine fabric and occasionally leather, chaises are typically decorative, ornate pieces rather than practical, functional items.
Consequently, the term chaise longue has long been a byword for luxury, indulgence and splendour, connotations which are carried forward to this day.
While there are numerous different designs of chaise available on the market, perhaps the best known is the meridienne style which features a high head rest and an asymmetrical slope.
Popular with the French elite of the 19th century, the meridienne design takes its name from the concept of resting towards the middle of the day when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky.
Unlike Roman or Egyptian styles, the classic meridienne chaise was one of the first of its kind to be upholstered using horsehair as a concern for human comfort became a far more important consideration during this period.
Another popular style of chaise longue is the day bed which is far more stripped back in terms of design incorporating a low rise headrest, bolster cushioning and a flat or gently curved footrest.
From a functional perspective, day beds are extremely similar to the classic chaise longue although they differ stylistically in the sense that day beds tend to work better in minimalist settings where an overtly ornate piece would seem out of place.
For instance, day beds are commonly placed close to windows and in hallways to add a discreet touch of elegance.
They can also be downsized more readily then chaise longues as their design tends to be more simplistic in form.
This is a short guide to the subject of the chaise longue although there is a great deal more to say about this lovely piece.
If you would like to know more on the subject, contact a leading furniture manufacturer or interior designer who is well placed to advise on how to make the most of this furniture piece within your home.
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