Tags
Chair, Copenhagen, Couch, Denmark, Furniture, Furniture Design, Great Dane, Illum Wikkelso, Interior design, La-Z-Boy, Leather, Man Chair, May Sarton, mid-century design, Recliner, V11
(Image © Christian Montone)
Comfort rules. You want to be able to sit in a good chair comfortably for a few hours and be able to talk and enjoy a glass of wine. There’s nothing worse than sitting in an uncomfortable chair. (Amanda Pays)
LM and I do not disagree often. This is not because we are so loved up and in tune with each other that we don’t fight (although he is particularly loveable). Rather, it’s far more likely due to the fact that he is one of the most amiable and chilled people I’ve ever met. Truly. And, I’m not just saying that because today is his birthday. (Happy birthday, LM!)
Anyhoo, when LM and I joined households, he was the proud owner of a ‘Man Chair’. Now, just so we’re clear (and you don’t confuse the Man Chair with the Husband Chair*), the Man Chair can be defined as the only place a man can go after a long day of hard work. A chair that is the only thing that can truly comfort and care for a man. Often an extremely comfortable yet remarkably ugly recliner with foot rest. Obtaining one is a right of passage into manhood.
LM’s Man Chair was really ugly, so I gave it away. To the very nice removalists, in fact. As they were moving my things in. Start as you mean to go on, I say. The conversation that followed went something like this:
LM – Where’s my chair?
TSL – What chair?
LM – The black La Z Boy chair that used to sit here. <pointing>
TSL – Do you mean the ugly NAVY recliner that took up too much space? I gave it away.
LM – It was black
TSL – No, actually it was navy
LM – I am a straight man. Only gay men can be expected to tell the difference between navy and black.
I don’t think he has ever really forgiven me for giving away his chair. But finally, this month, he has ordered a replacement for his old, ugly, navy recliner Man Chair with a TSL approved divine Wikkelso V11 Easy Chair & Footstool. It’s yummy. It cost a small fortune BUT it will last the rest of his life (and probably beyond). And, he deserves it, I reckon.
Wikkelso V11 Easy Chair and Footstool
(Image sourced from Architonic)
Wikkelso V11 Easy Chair and Footstool (Rear)
(Image sourced from Architonic)
A house that does not have one warm, comfy chair in it is soulless. (May Sarton)
The V11 chair and footstool make up 2/3 of a series of series of classical furniture which also includes a sofa. LM did not buy the sofa. The chair and footstool were enough to complete his Man Chair requirements.
Because it is so beautiful, here’s a picture of it anyway.
Wikkelso V11 Sofa
(Image sourced from Architonic)
Circa 1965 Vintage Wikkelso V11 Sofa
(Image sourced from Great Dane)
Originally created by Danish designer Illum Wikkelso in 1965, the V11 seating range is a collection of really beautifully crafted leather seats and considered a classic piece of mid-century design. Original V11 pieces are rare and highly sought after on the international furniture market, with originals reportedly found in the office of the Japanese president and in the collection of King Feisel of Saudi Arabia. LM’s are not original originals…
Australian furniture company Great Dane Furniture has now brought the V11 seating range back into production. Each piece is made from beginning to end by Great Dane’s craftsmen to create a piece of furniture that is true to Wikkelso’s 1965 design. Great Dane currently have a sale going on. You can check out their website here.
* Husband Chair: the chair that men sit in while their partner is shopping for long periods of time. They can be found in almost any clothing or shoe store.
