Market Watch

Chairs

Something as simple as a chair can make or break a residential or contract project, inside or out. Whether it's a "statement" chair for an entry or hallway, an architectural chair for a modern desk, or a comfy chaise for TV watching, there are a lot of new and classic styles from which to choose. Here are just a few.

Konstantin Grcic designed ICF's Myto Cantilever Chair out of BASF's Ultradur High Speed plastic to give it a sleek, futuristic appeal. The stackable chair, appropriate for indoors and out, is available in black, grey, white, red, orange, aubergine, azure, yellow and other colors. It's also UV and chemical resistant, and is 100 percent recyclable. Available through Source Four, 753 Kalamath St., Denver, CO 80204, (303) 893-1515, www.sourcefour.com; or www.icfsource.com.

Barclay Butera's new Hearst Castle Collection, inspired by William Randolph Hearst's magnificent California estate, includes the Helena chaise. It's an interpretation of a large-scale, early 19th-century French chaise, with a rounded, tight back, petite curved arm and turned legs — perfect for the bedroom or living room. 1745 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660, (949) 650-8570; 169 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, (323) 634-0200; 255 Heber Ave., Park City, UT 84060, (435) 649-5540; www.barclaybutera.com.

The new Acuity office chair from Allsteel was designed for long-term comfort, from the conforming mesh back and carrier combination and the hybrid seat cushion to the weight-activated controls. Designed in collaboration with Design Continuum Italia of Milan, the Acuity is available in four carrier/mesh color options and several chassis and base finishes, including polished aluminum, silver and graphite. The environmentally friendly chair has also received a Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification from McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry. www.allsteeloffice.com.

The Estancia Collection by Richard Frinier for Century Leisure is a contemporary interpretation of vintage Spanish Colonial architecture, particularly the imagery of romantic Argentina. This chair features a generously scaled solid teak frame, nailhead trim and leather panels. Available through Inside/Out, 7350 N. Dobson Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85256, (480) 994-1060; or www.centuryfurniture.com.

Giorgetti's Rea wing chair features a revolving seat and a polished maple frame. The front feet are capped in nickel-plated metal, while the rear feet are finished off with unidirectional wheels. www.giorgettiusa.com.

The streamlined Duse armchair by NYLoft speaks of Moderne design with its style that is at once streamlined and boxy. Available in red leather. 4041 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012, (602) 745-2600, and 7635 Dean Martin Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89139, (702) 818-8140; www.nyloft.net.

Martin Pierce's Hedgerow lounge chair takes its name and form from the tightly intertwined branches of classic garden hedges. The chair is carved from solid domestic walnut and features a domestic alder seat frame. Cushions are down and feather with a foam core. Available through Egg & Dart, 595 S. Broadway, Denver, CO 80209, (303) 744-1676, www.egg-and-dart.com; or www.martinpierce.com.

Designer Harald Belker is known for his work for Porsche and Mercedes-Benz as well as in the movie industry. The Lyx Maxelle chair, his first commercial furniture creation, channels all of that, not to mention his design work on the Batmobile, with its sleek, aerodynamic lines. Made of high-gloss lacquered fiberglass and appropriate for indoor or outdoor use, the chair was inspired by the classic Maxell advertisement featuring a hip young man seated in a Le Corbusier chair and being blown away by a sound system. It's available in several colors and, for indoor use, can be fitted with a leather seating inlay. Available through Scandinavian Collection, 475 S. Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89106, (702) 433-7311, www.scandinaviancollection.com; or www.lyx.com.

Being in a long meeting or waiting for an appointment can be, well, stressful. Leland International's Hammok Collection of seating pampers and soothes users with a gentle rocking motion. The collection, which includes guest, arm and lounge chairs, is made of a contoured plywood shell paired with a variety of flexible steel bases. It's available upholstered or with an exposed plywood seating surface. www.lelandinternational.com.

The Morris chair and ottoman from Western Heritage Furniture pays homage not only to the 18th-century designer William Morris, but to Gustav Stickley and Thomas Molesworth as well. Made with "Ghostwood," salvaged building timbers and leather, the rustic chair invites reclining. Jerome, AZ; (928) 639-1424 or www.whf-inc.com.

The Contessa from Elite Manufacturing Corporation is a shimmering ring of pale steel encircling tailored upholstery that's a modern interpretation of a classic form. The double-sided upholstered back and generously cushioned seat provide dining comfort. Available through Charles Eisen & Associates, 595 S. Broadway, Denver, CO, (303) 744-3200, www.eisenassociates.com; or www.elitemfgusa.com.

Richard Schultz Design's 1966 collection was designed that same year at the request of Florence Knoll. Today, the simple, modernist design is not only available in 16 standard frame colors, four strap colors and nine mesh colors, it's also part of the permanent collection of stellar institutions such as MOMO , the Vitra Design Museum and the Louvre. Available through John Brooks, Inc., 2712 N. 68th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85257, (480) 675-8828, and 601 S. Broadway, Denver, CO 80209, (303) 698-9977, www.johnbrooksinc.com; Gerrity Group, 5193 Oquendo, Las Vegas, NV 89118, (702) 255-8267, www.thegerritygroup.com; or www.richardschultz.com.

Hickory Chair's new Suzanne Kasler collection strikes a balance between exuberance and tradition, which is exemplified by the Alexandra chair. The hand-carved chair uses a familiar architectural motif — the quatrefoil — in a fresh manner, with the seatback upholstery visible both front and back. Available through Robb & Stucky, 15440 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254, (480) 922-0011, and 6521 N. Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89119, (702) 531-0531, www.robbstucky.com; or www.hickorychair.com.

The Taos armchair from Andes International is handcrafted in Chile and made with solid Patagonian wood. The wood is distressed by hand and undergoes a 10-step finishing process. Seats are upholstered in a cotton canvas fabric. 2305 Canyon Blvd., Boulder, CO 80302; (303) 938-0880 or www.andesinternational.com.

Hutton Home's Moustache wing chair, designed by John Hutton for the Collection Pierre, takes its inspiration from classical 18th-century French designs. Constructed of beechwood, the chair features relaxed, elegant lines. Available through David Sutherland Showroom, 8687 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90069, (310) 360-1777, www.davidsutherlandshowroom.com; or www.huttonhome.com.

Reminiscent of a long, collared coat, the Lotus chair from Montis features arms and a back that form an angled "collar" around the seat, an effect intensified by the use of contrasting upholstery colors. The chair, designed by Simon Pengelly, is suitable for residential use, but can also be appropriate for commercial spaces, where visitors can tuck bags into the space below the chair. Available through Parnian Design, 16219 N. 82nd St., Scottsdale, AZ 85260, (480) 991-5166, www.parnian.com; Functions, 1454 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401, (310) 451-4284; Lightspot, 2927 S. Highland Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84106, (801) 355-1553, www.lightspotmoderndesign.com; or www.montis.nl.