Chittagong and fellow interior design enthusiasts, I've finally gotten to the point where my debts are all paid up and I'm thinking about going into debt again to buy some nice furniture, and need your help fulfilling that
I need the following:
- An office chair
- A replacement for my couch, but increase seating up to 5+ people (so multiple pieces)
I was personally thinking of getting the following:
Aeron Chair $800ish
Good Quality Knock off Barcelona Chair x2 $1200
Then I just need something very comfy as the barcelona chairs aren't extremely comfy. What would you recommend? Can you provide estimated costs as I know some of these can get up to 5 grand each and need to budget.
Yo Tab...
for the office chair, I recommend either an Herman Miller Embody or a Steelcase Leap.
They both operate on pretty much the same principles - dynamic, easily readjustable ergonomic chairs that provide support and adjustments in all the major areas that should be supported in a chair.
The Embody has better quality controls for the most part, and also feels (at least chair wise, not the arms) more solid and better constructed - the lumbar adjustment is particularly more noticeable/better with the embody (it comes forward as you adjust, where as the Leap has a lumbar support that you raise or lower). But it lacks a head rest option, and the arms aren't as adjustable as the Leap (you can adjust the arms on the leap so that they move forward and backward - which is a good boon when you're trying to get yourself as close to the desk, and still have arm support).
If you're willing to go all out with the computer desk setup, I'd recommend a standing desk - they're a few around; Steelcase Airtouch might be a good starting point. And coupling that with a Leap Stool (same as leap chair, but with a raised stool and foot rest base). I've done a bit of research into ergonomics, comfort, healthfulness and all that - and that combination is pretty much the optimal one; giving you options, support, and comfort - with the stool, you don't need to raise/lower the desk, so sitting and standing is as easy as getting into and out of a chair. You want to be able to stand, because it just provides you with good back and thigh relief throughout the day - but you don't want to stand all day long, because your feet and legs get hella sore as well.
Over time, this soreness translates as damage. But if you're not spending 4-8+ hours a day using that setup, you'll be ok with a normal setup.
As for the Barcelona chairs... replicas versus not replicas...
For one thing, they're gorgeous chairs, they'll stay in style forever - they're era icons. Which also means you can keep them as long as they hold up. Meaning you don't have to sell them.
If that's ok with you, then go for the high quality replicas. You'll spend less on them - the money you wouldn't recoup anyway because you won't be selling them.
But if you do want the option of selling, look around for genuine barcelonas - maybe even second hand. Make sure you get and retain the proof of genuineness of course.
The other thing is... they're like you say, not comfortable chairs. I wouldn't use these as a main seater. But they're very nice as a decorative piece that is also functional as an occasional seater.
For the lounge, if you want to round out the set with another designer piece, the le corbusier sofa would be a decent modernist compliment to the barcelona. Alternatively, you can go for a Florence 3 seater sofa - the details match up with the Barcelona quite well (buttoned cushion padding), while still retaining the elements of a traditional comfy lounge (i.e. thick padding + arm rests).