| Chairs have evolved over thousands of years. There | | | | maple in every respect," according to its site. |
| is evidence that the Stone Age people used chairs. | | | | 5. Examine corner blocks. Corner blocks give the chair |
| The Egyptians were routinely using chairs as early as | | | | extra support. These blocks should be glued and |
| 650 AD. By the 1600s chairs had become part of | | | | screwed to the frame. |
| interior design. In the 1700s upholstery started to | | | | 6. Inspect the joints. Joints should be glued together |
| appear on chairs. Upholstered chairs are common | | | | and also joined with dowels or L-brackets. |
| today, but you need to do your homework before you | | | | 7. Check the springs. Manufacturers have two |
| buy one. | | | | systems, eight-way hand tied springs and sinuous |
| Figure out what kind of chair you want first. Galen | | | | springs. The site describes sinuous springs as |
| Cranz, author of "The Chair," groups chairs into five | | | | two-dimensional, s-shaped wires fastened to the front |
| categories: hand-made, mass-produced, craftsman, | | | | rail of the chair. These springs run from front to back. |
| designer, and artist. Artist chairs are one-of-a-kind | | | | 8. Feel the padding. The sales associate should be able |
| chairs and can be pricey. These tips will help you find | | | | to answer your questions and may have a brochure |
| the right chair for your home. | | | | that pictures the padding. According to high resistance |
| 1. Measure the space. You should measure the | | | | foam is "the Cadillac of cushioning." |
| maximum width and available height. A chair that is too | | | | 9. Ask about upholstery options. Upholstery fabric is |
| high will make your room look smaller. | | | | graded according to content and durability. Swatches |
| 2. Determine the style. Your new chair doesn't have to | | | | are grouped in color categories. If the color you want |
| match your decor. Many interior designers are mixing | | | | isn't available you may not buy the chair. |
| modern furniture and antiques these days. Some | | | | 10. Check out swatches. Major stores will loan you |
| decorators think every home should have a distinctive | | | | swatches for a few days. You pay a small fee and |
| chair -- one that doesn't match. | | | | this fee is refunded when you return the swatches. |
| 3. Check the frame. According to "Upholstered | | | | See how the swatches look in the daylight, at dusk, |
| Furniture," an article on kiln-dried hardwood is best for | | | | and at night. |
| hair frames. Some manufacturers are framing chairs | | | | 11. Get time info. Is the chair you like in stock? How long |
| and couches with steel. | | | | will it take to custom-make a chair? Does the |
| 4. Check the wood type. The Carrington Court Direct | | | | company have a reputation for delivering on time? |
| Web site recommends maple, poplar, and ash. (Ash is | | | | 12. Get return policy info. If you get the chair home and |
| so strong it is used for baseball bats.) The Grand | | | | find, after a week, that it kills your back, can you return |
| Rapids Chair company uses European beech wood, | | | | it? Buying a new chair is fun if you do your homework |
| "a grade 'A' hardwood that is stronger than oak or | | | | first. |