Repeat confession: I can't stop buying occasional home accessories. I've mentioned in a previous Top 5 Friday how one can never have to many mirrors, occasional tables, chairs and so on... Well, add ottoman, pouf, stump to the list.
What are they? You can sit on them, put a tray on them, pile some books on them, put your feet up, or simply use it as a big tchotchka in your livingroom, bedroom or kids room, clad in whatever colour/material you were to chicken to use on your sofa. Basically, a thing that looks cool and sometimes useful.
This is by no means an invention of my shopping disorder. These blob-ular home objects have bee proliferating interior design for decades now, and today I take a journey through some of their more popular incarnations.
The "Winter"
CB2; Square ottoman from TheRedBungalow, Etsy.com
These can of course be used in the summer, but it's essentially sweater furniture. Knit home accessories are definitely in vogue, and the scale of the loop on these presents a playful element to entertain the eye in any interior. They're also great as added texture in tone-on-tone decor schemes, or as accents in bright colours. In lieu of the CB2 knit pouf, try Marymarieknits on Etsy.com
The "Summer"
Crate&Barrel
Wicker these days is by no means only for the outdoors. More and more the natural, summery appeal of wicker is lightening up all kinds of interiors. More than just the look however, these are light as in weigh nothing, which makes them great for small spaces. They can be easily moved around and converted into additional seating if they usually serve as occasional tables.
Jute - A Class of Its Own
West Elm
Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fibre that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. In home decor it is used to add a hint of exoticism, with items such as floor mats, baskets, wall hangings, door panel inserts, woven seats, headboards and even wallpaper. In clothing jute is known as burlap. For our purposes today, jute is shown as cladding for the perfect home accessory: the ottoman. I want these. They are from West Elm. You can order them online.
Leather
From the Hershey's Chocolate Room designed by Karen Sealy
In the '70s my parents had the typical caramel, made-in-India one with hand-hammered burgundy elephants on it and other eastern motifs. Did you? Well, if you're lucky, you can find one vintage and avoid paying over $2,000 for each of the ones in the photo above! Yes, that is crazy. But leather ottomans, especially the ones patch-sewn in the traditional multi-point star design are quite ubiquitous, and normally run you about $185 - $500.
Sit on a Log
John Ross Design
Though I LOVE (and will love for a long time after they've been banished for overuse), the natural, solid wood, rough-hewed stump stools, I can't help but wonder if the thought, "I'm sitting on a log" ever begs you to smile while sitting on them. They can do no wrong however. Stool, side table, display stand, objet d'art, whatever. LOVE. The above are by Vancouver designer John Ross, photographed at Vancouver decor shop, Provide.
The Square
All by Style Garage
You are one brave, self-assured design savant if you choose the square. The sky's the limit with the square. How does one even begin to commit to a cladding? The square is fierce. It's a blank canvas just daring you to choose, for you must chose wisely, because whatever you choose will speak volumes about what kind of person you are. Cork? Oh you're whimsical are you? Old grain sacks? Nostalgic and pining for a bi-gone era. Somber felt? A humourless minimalist... No, I've no stomach for the square.
The Find
Left: from the online design portfolio of Angie Hranowski; right: 1stdbs.com
Lastly, you may have seen these rattan ottomans in many a design publication and you may be wondering, why? Why are they so venerated as to be paired with iconic pieces of mid century design, in mostly intimidating interiors? Well, because they are by mid century Italian architect and designer Franco Albini, known for his elegant way with inexpensive materials. This ottoman, though finely crafted and very sturdy, was one of the more prolific pieces from his rattan series, probably because it was so useful and relatively accessible to the general public. Not too many people know that this ottoman is worth something, and I happened to luck upon one a small-town antique fair, for $40!!!!! You'll see them in vintage shops from time to time, and the huge variance in price will tell you only that the seller knows its value, not necessarily its authenticity. Though who cares if you find an interpretation? They're very stylish!
Anything to add to my anthology?
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