Part sculptural statement piece, part nap pod, the chaise has gotten some serious (and not-so-serious) upgrades. Here, five outstanding designs that are at once chic and comfy.
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Rider, Zanotta
Image Credit: Zanotta It may look like a shrimp, but Zanotta’s Rider is big on comfort, style—and motion. “Active sitting” gets new meaning here, where movement is paradoxically part of the seated experience. Designed by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba, Rider is made to tilt forward and backward when you shift your weight. No two experiences with it will be quite the same. Starting at $10,000.
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Ergo, Natuzzi Italia
Image Credit: Natuzzi Italia With Ergo, designer Ross Lovegrove doubled down on sustainability. The Welsh artist made the seat look organic—a thing of nature rather than manufacture—sourcing the wood from plantations certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Eco-consciousness prevails: The finishes are natural wax, the adhesives are formaldehyde-free and the only metal used is aluminum, which is recyclable. The chaise is priced at $13,670.
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Taru, Ligne Roset
Image Credit: Ligne Roset Taru is a far trumpet cry from all things midcentury modern—but that’s kind of the point. German designer Sebastian Herkner took the elephant’s broad feet as inspiration, creating a foam seat that both looks and feels plenty cozy for a read (The Story of Babar, anyone?). It’s a welcome dose of fun to any salon that risks taking itself too seriously. Starting at $4,375.
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Diwan, Sancal
Image Credit: Sancal The Diwan is nothing if not convertible: Either end can be tilted for comfort or popped off for a good stretch-out. Spanish firm PerezOchando designed the chaise, taking cues from Valencia’s Arab heritage. The name “diwan” can trace its roots to India, Persia and the Ottoman Empire, where it was used to refer to the room where royalty entertained foreign dignitaries. Great for your red-carpet space, then. Starting at $1,932.
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GMG, Gubi
Image Credit: Gubi The GMG’s simple lines belie its rich history. Originally designed in 1951, it’s the brainchild of Greta Magnusson-Grossman, one of the foremost women of the midcentury-modern movement. The interiors maven and architect drew from her background in European design, as well as the relaxed nature of the California lifestyle, to create the piece, which mirrors the body’s natural curves, inviting both ease and zzz’s. Starting at about $2,725.
