After drawing Virginia Woolf’s reading chair, I began noticing armchairs and asking myself why they appeal. Partly it’s location, wanting to sit and have tea with a friend – our two armchairs classically pulled up by a warm fire. Or it’s longing – to be curled in a commodious armchair lost in a book, friendly feline apurr. Armchairs in bedrooms imply a generous room and a place to retreat. I know a double armchair in a bedroom – holds baby, mom, and older sibling – and it rocks!
The anthropomorphic character of armchairs, their limbs and heft embrace us. Accompanying adjectives reveal personality: overstuffed, shredded, or worn, floral, velvet, or leather. The few armchairs in those modern houses in the enjoyable TV series, “Big Little Lies,” appropriately look firm and toned.
Armchairs most often include pillows for color and comfort, or to beef up a saggy anatomy. They hang out with footstools, ottomans – some place for feet – whether of matching fabric or something repurposed, a trunk, a pouf. Armchairs need a lamp and a table right within reach, landing spot for teacup or beer and chips.
My parents had a voluminous armchair with sturdy square arms, slipcovered in an awful faux-tweedy fabric – I loved it. The arms held coffee cup and books, and I could hole up there for hours. With an old cabin, we inherited wooden-armed chairs with uncomfortable cushions, but so useful the flat surface of those broad arms.
My clever friend gave me a wicker armchair. It sits near my workroom with a little footstool and a great view. But, filled now with three old wool sweaters, fur-lined and curled into a nest, and occupied most days, all day, by Frances, it’s lost to me for afternoon tea.
You can probably sense a series coming – armchair pictures and paragraphs on “Her spirits rose…!”
her spirits rose... 
YES!! I’m looking forward to that series of chair pieces.Wish I had a gallery in which to share them with everyone.
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Jane – what a dear thing to say. Those were happy times when you were the gallery manager – always fun to take work to you, always inspiring! Thank you. xo
A “dear-to-my-heart” project! Looking forward to it. I had a wicker chair in my studio a long time ago, but instead of sleeping gently on its seat like your Frances, my cats shredded the white slats with their claws! I would love a big armchair with teacup friendly arms, but I can usually make a small table or stool do nicely. Such a sweet drawing of Frances in her comfy spot.
Thanks Carol – and oh, cats and armchairs – a special relationship for both reasons you cite – sleeping and shredding.
I love the concept! 🙂
Stained glass, walks by the Charles, armchairs – a series is inspiring! Thanks Cynthia!
And an important feature for those of us with bad knees — arm chairs are easier to get up from.
Good point!