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Skirted chair trend – the decorating look that designers are falling back in love with
The skirted chair trend, characterized by frilly finishes, scalloped edges, and neat pleats, is experiencing a resurgence in interior design. This decorative look, while having historical roots, feels surprisingly contemporary and cutting-edge today, transforming modern approaches to interior aesthetics as consumer tastes lean towards more traditional styles. Historically, chair skirts have been used since Medieval times, initially as protective covers for furniture in grand European homes to shield against dust, sunlight, and insects. By the eighteenth century, these evolved into more tailored covers that remained on furniture in use, signifying their transition from purely functional to decorative elements.
One significant advantage of the skirted chair is its practicality, especially when featuring a loose cover. This design allows for easy cleaning and simple updates, enabling homeowners to refresh the look by changing the fabric. Lulu Lytle, Co-Founder and Director of Soane Britain, highlights how loose covers can instantly transform a piece of furniture, offering seasonal versatility. She particularly appreciates their association with atmospheric country houses, where squashy sofas and armchairs with inviting cushions are perfect for relaxation. The Panther chair by Soane Britain exemplifies this elegance, featuring a tailored loose cover that can be easily removed.
Designers are also embracing playful shapes to enhance the impact of skirted chairs. British design duo Campbell-Rey, for instance, launched a furniture range featuring bold and vibrant pieces inspired by 20th-century European design. Their Fabrizia cocktail chair, upholstered in Dedar's Amoir Libre fabric, showcases an ogee arched back, adding a sense of history and longevity. Charlotte Rey, Co-Founder of Campbell-Rey, suggests pairing skirted chairs with modern, sleek side tables or using two for symmetry to avoid a gimmicky feel, emphasizing that a skirted chair should feel dressed up and formal, like a couture ruffle, yet balanced with other elements.
For those cautious about trends, choosing classic fabrics, such as a staple stripe, ensures the skirted chair remains timeless. Victoria Ceraudo, Co-founder of Ceraudo, notes her brand's inspiration from Colefax & Fowler's influence on 80s and 90s interiors, aiming to reinterpret this country house style for contemporary spaces, including city flats. Ceraudo emphasizes that a skirt is an easy decorative detail that makes a space feel more considered and put-together, especially with maximalism in full swing. Skirts can be pleated, gathered, or enhanced with trim or piping, with a simple gathered skirt in a heavy-weight linen being a preferred option for creating a layered and textured interior when combined with scatter cushions.
The versatility of the skirted chair trend extends beyond living rooms and bedrooms to dining spaces. An upholstered dining chair with a tailored finish can bring both style and comfort to a dining room, avoiding a dated look. Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe, Co-Founders of Nickey Kehoe, view the trend as a celebration of a nostalgic past, offering warmth and comfort while maintaining a casual, everyday appeal. Their Cove dining chair, with its neat proportions and scalloped edge, demonstrates how elegantly this trend can be incorporated into dining areas.
Considering the finish, whether tailored or laid-back, is crucial. Interior Designer Flora Soames, known for her Maud slipper chair, suggests that the skirted chair never truly went out of style, but its current popularity reflects a nod to a looser, more whimsical look. She highlights the option of gathered or box pleat skirts, which can offer either a more tailored or relaxed aesthetic, balancing straight lines and sharp outlines of other furniture. The overall proportions also matter; while often associated with dainty slipper chairs, armchairs like Love Your Home's Mabel demonstrate how a skirted design can maintain neat proportions and slim arms while still making a statement in a living space.
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