Home design

We – Talk to us about emerging trends in fabrics, patterns and textures found on today’s chairs.

Lisa Taylor - The trend is leaning towards bold patterns mixed with various solids and two patterns together: one bold, one smaller pattern mixed with sister fabrics. Vinyls/pleathers have become more popular than leather because of colors and textures available. Fabrics have become more creative, also in the way clients and designers apply them differently to a chair than in the past. Fabrics have more durability than ever and are even washable. More often, polyester blends are being used to recreate silk as well as velvets.

We- Tell us about the construction process of a chair.

LT- Chairs usually start with a metal or a wood frame. They come in all sizes so it’s very important that a chair has solid components. For example, a chair made with a solid maple frame will be stronger than one that comes in a box that has to be assembled. At Lisa Taylor Designs, we only use solid components that are tested over and over for stability and strength to ensure that the chair will last a lifetime. High density foam or fill is important in the construction while feather down fi ll is also an option. The construction process of the chair varies based on your needs for the chair itself. We work closely with our frame makers to create custom frames whether it is made of metal or wood. We also prep all of our chairs for finishing and upholstery.

We- Are we seeing a resurgence of past design styles or trends?

LT – Classic and timeless pieces will never go out of style. They have been made in such a way that their look and functionality transcends each generation that passes. For many years, we have been seeing the resurgence of the modern classics: for example the Barcelona chair, the many variations of Le Corbusier chair, the Charles and Ray Eames chairs just to name a few. Much of what you’ll see in showrooms today had an original designer behind them. With a few modifi cations, they have been able to re-introduce these products to a new generation. The classic baroque and neoclassical frames will never lose their charm.

We- You are the creator of the stunning collection, Lisa Taylor Designs. What inspired you to launch your own collection?

LT- I wanted to create a line that offers more exclusivity and creativity than what can be found in most stores today. I felt that there is a need for a more niche market in terms of looking at chairs as a piece of art to be displayed in your home. The line gives clients the opportunity for their character and personality to come through, such as mine has when you look at the collections. I wanted to create something that fuses originality with function and quality.

We- Where do you find your inspiration?

LT – My inspiration has always come from various places, my home in Miami being a big one. I’ve always been inspired by prominent interior designers and architects in respect to the way they start with what is essentially a blank canvas and create a concept for what will ultimately be their client’s vision.

We - Talk to us about the process of designing a chair from start to completion.

LT- The main process starts from an idea. From there, we create sketches making modifications as we go until we are happy with the design. We then figure out what material is needed to create the item. Once the frame is made, we then choose the finish and fill and I sit with fabrics and choose something that suits the style and vision for what I want the finished product to look like.

We- What is your favorite piece of furniture in your showroom? Why?

LT- The Phantom Collection. This collection was the most challenging to make. We used three materials, metal, wood and Lucite. Often chairs will be made using only one of these components, while we incorporated all three to create a stunning finished product.

We- If you were to jump in a time capsule and borrow a few chairs from an era, which era would that be?

LT- The 1920’s. Growing up, I was always drawn to the craftsmanship of chairs such as the original Barcelona, the Wasily, Le Corbusier and the Bruno chair. The detail in the stitching and sewing, the curves of the metal, the combination of chrome with leather was always something that inspired me. I think that subconsciously I have always tried to incorporate these elements into my designs.

We- Let’s talk about 2013 trends. What do you foresee as the hottest chair design in 2013?

LT- Everything goes. People are mixing antiques with modern pieces and hand me downs from their grandparents are being mixed in with more contemporary pieces. Fabrics of all colors are being used together. In other words there’s no rule of thumb when it comes to decorating or purchasing furniture as long as the confidence is there to put it all together.

We- If you could design a chair for any celebrity, which celebrity would that be?

LT- The first person that pops into my head is the late Alexander McQueen. His creative vision towards fashion, the dramatic flair he had and his edginess was always something that I admired. His creativity was never dictated through other people’s opinions but by what his own imagination created.

We- What wisdom would you like to pass along to someone looking to redesign their home?

LT- I’m a strong believer in asking for guidance if you don’t have the confidence to do it yourself. Hiring a designer that shares your personal taste or at least understands it can make it that much easier to achieve the look you want. The important thing is that the investment you’re making should be long-term and hiring a designer will guide you through the process.

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