| In this article I would like to discuss leather armchairs - | | | | or family room when you want to spend a lot of time |
| specifically, the kind that you would use to adorn your | | | | there. These leather chairs just scream "comfort". A |
| living room, sitting room, library, etc. I will break these | | | | proper leather lounge chair should allow you to sink into |
| down into five classes of leather chair. They are: | | | | the chair without sacrificing support. Look for terms like |
| - Leather Club Chair | | | | "overstuffed" and "pillow top" for the best "sinkage". |
| - Tub chair | | | | When you sit in the chair, you should feel support in |
| - Lounge chair (sometimes called an occasional) | | | | your lower lumbar, or sitting in the chair for long periods |
| Recliner | | | | of time may feel uncomfortable. |
| - Retro Style | | | | A couple of other terms you want to look for when |
| - Contemporary Leather Club Chair The leather club | | | | shopping for this type of chair are "bonded leather" |
| chair was first introduced in England in the 19th century. | | | | and "hardwood" construction. You also want to make |
| During that time there were "gentlemen's clubs" where | | | | sure that the leather feels thick and strong. A thin |
| men would get together to drink, smoke cigars and | | | | leather chair will wear out much more quickly. If you |
| discuss the issues of the day while sitting in | | | | are looking to get a recliner, the reclining mechanism |
| comfortable leather chairs. Shortly there-after the | | | | should feel sturdy and the chair should recline smoothly. |
| occasional leather club chair could be found in the | | | | Retro/Contemporary Style These are chairs that are |
| sitting room of a well to do estate. They became a | | | | made today to either look like vintage chairs (retro) or |
| symbol of status. | | | | to accent homes with a more modern theme |
| Today, quite a few club chairs are modeled to look | | | | (contemporary). The Hoffmann Koller chair that I |
| quite a bit like there 19th century brethren. These chairs | | | | mentioned above is a prime example of a retro styled |
| are best suited (in my humble opinion) for a sitting | | | | leather chair. I have actually seen this chair sell for as |
| room, study, or perhaps a private library. Since they | | | | much as $2500. More contemporary styles are usually |
| place you in a more upright position than a lounge chair, | | | | much less expensive, but look to spend quite a bit if |
| they are better suited for entertaining guests, and look | | | | you are looking to find something truly unique and |
| very nice as a guest chair or "smoking chair" in a | | | | "outside the box". |
| study. | | | | One final thought on this topic is price. If you are going |
| Tub Chair The tub chair was developed in the late 19th | | | | to buy a leather chair, stay away from models with |
| century as a form of art deco furniture. Probably the | | | | severely marked down prices that may seem like |
| most famous of these was the Joseph Hoffmann | | | | great deals at the time. A good quality leather tub chair |
| Haus Koller chair of 1911. The style has changed a bit, | | | | will cost you at least $200-$300. Expect to pay at |
| but not too drastically. You can actually still find Joseph | | | | least $300-400 for a good quality club chair. A leather |
| Hoffman tub chairs, and they are beautiful. With their | | | | lounge chair should cost you at least $400 with leather |
| rounded backs and gentle curves, nothing quite says | | | | recliners starting around $500 and up. If you are paying |
| "style" like a well crafted leather tub chair. I would | | | | less than that, there is usually a reason. Choose well |
| recommend using these in the same locations as the | | | | and your leather chair will outlast you. Choose poorly |
| club chair if you want to add a little art deco styling. | | | | and you will end up throwing it away or having it |
| Lounge Chair/Recliner This is, by far, my favorite type | | | | reupholstered. |
| of leather chair. These are what you put in your living | | | | |