Upholstered ottomans, footstools and benches are not merely an all propped up and sitting pretty home furnishings accent piece anymore.
Now for a few words of ottoman wisdom from Jerry Seinfeld:
“I did this thing on the Ottoman Empire. Like, what was this? A whole empire based on putting your feet up?”
Style and taste answered the call from function, comfort and storage with a big hello, decoristas.
I’m listening!
There has been a palpable shift towards a broader use of upholstered ottomans, footstools and benches over the last few seasons and trends.
Thank goodness the furniture designers and home furnishings world is answering the call with gorgeous offerings in a wide range of style, shape and fabric selections.
Non-traditional placement accompanies this look with a blended balance starring pattern, color, form and the crucial decorative eye candy, the mixing of styles.
A gorgeous first impression in your entry or foyer whets the appetite for the interior design and decorating curious.
Never discount the power of the small space nor the big statement these areas of the home are capable of making.
An entry or foyer is such a space, and often the initial preview of the decorating style of the home.
The entry or foyer interior design and decorating layout is prime real estate for an upholstered ottoman(s), footstool or bench to call home.
A statement piece should be considered a decorative investment, a front and center accent designed to enhance the look you want to convey and placed to visually impress.
Upholstered ottomans, footstools and benches crafted in wood and leather in shapes of round, square or rectangular, upholstered in designer fabric, chic upholstery patterns and textures or vintage textiles and tufted, embellished or trimmed to bespoke specifications define unique utility.
A cocktail ottoman well-placed in front of sofas, settees or stylish accent chairs can easily transition into the ultimate entertainment center.
Coffee table, guest seating, cocktail station, game table, textile storage- an ottoman offers versatility and functionality with a sense of style and multipurpose.
Upholstered cocktail ottomans pull decorating double duty as both stylish accent piece and functional home furnishing.
Walter E. Smithe
I am a big fan of placing a matched pair of upholstered X-bench ottomans side by side, stepping back and letting the accomplished look produced and spot-on placement precision impress.
That is the visually rewarding moment in decorating we strive to reach.
Antique Russian benches upholstered in luxurious Fortuny fabric become the focal point extraordinaire in polished pairing perfection by capturing the eye and complementing the accent palette through pattern and proportion.
In the world of decorating, two can be better than one.
The bigger and bolder the statement the better.
Lovely, indeed, in European artisan splendor and simple elegance.
Goods Home Furnishings
Dave the Builder, DIY guy extraordinaire, walked in one afternoon and placed before me a salvaged antique burl walnut sewing cabinet with one drawer, porcelain castors, and no top.
My words said thank you, Dave, but my mind thought what in the world am I to do with this?
Dave proceeded to fill me in on his vision for this piece.
The “eyedea” was to have our upholsterer build a padded form to secure to the top to create a custom upholstered footstool.
The unforgiving lighting and cell phone image do not do the finished footstool justice, but trust me, the piece was a work of accent art.
It sold within a week of being introduced into inventory.
I regret not keeping it, but am currently on the hunt for another you say trash and I say treasure piece to repurpose into a footstool.
The thinking outside the design box treasures, the noteworthy accent pieces that accentuate our home decor choices and capture the essence of personal style with a “that’s it!” exclamation mark is what distinctive decorating is all about.
Unique upholstered ottomans, footstools and benches definitely fall into that category.
*** this is a refreshed post ***
Wow! First ottoman is amazing