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The longer I'm in this job—and it seems like I've been writing on interiors far longer than the last two decades, the more my taste changes, the more snotty I've become about what makes a great house. I used to be all about folk art. Now the thought makes my eyes roll into the back of my head—and stay there. I've always loved antiques. Just say, it's in the genes; my mom once had an antique shop and we spent many, many days wandering back roads in search of hidden troves and baking in the sun at country auctions.
But now even my antiques adoration is getting a shove aside for a more modern sensibility. That taste factor works on just about every front—except chairs. I still like my chairs upholstered, overstuffed and very comfortable. But they have to have more than a snippet of style as well. So when I saw the Fall 2010 collection from Baker, my little heart did a quick flip and slight swoon.
Just take this perfectly purple Butterfield barrel chair from the Simply Baker collection. It's roomy, cushy and classic.
And then there is this sweet slipper chair. Although a major fan of arms on my chairs, I could easily see slipping onto this sweet number. Also, I'm just a bit over-the-moon over the yellow herringbone upholstery. It's called the Riddle Slipper chair and it's also out of the Simply Baker line. No riddle to me, it's clear as can be that it's great. Simply great.
But of all the chairs in all the world, my favorite is—and always has been—the wing chair. This Ayer Wing chair has an ottoman to match and again, is out of the Simply Baker line. Give me a good book, a great floor lamp, a glass of wine, a cashmere throw, and a chair like this and well, I would ask for nothing more. (Well, that is assuming it comes with a roof over my head and in a room that has a fire roaring in the fireplace).