Help! Do any of you have the straight-back Louis or the Leonardo chairs from Ballard? I’d love to hear your opinion on the comfort level. One of my clients likes the style of the Leonardo a lot and the dimensions are perfect, but the chairs need to be really comfortable (like long dinner parties comfortable). I’d love any input you have to offer! I wouldn’t ask normally, but we’ve been stuck on the chair situation for a while and could use some info. Please and thank you!
PS Thanks for all the emails on the Nate Berkus settee. I passed them all along to my old client and she’ll be responding to you. xx
Don't know if they are comfortable – but they definitely are good looking. Good luck.
No advice on the comfort, but they're beautiful, and they'll look amazing with the table!!
I don't own any but have sat in them at other's houses. Personally, I think they're pretty comfortable but then again who wants a lazboy at the table?
Hi, just an FYI, the link to the marble top table isn't working…
Speaking of comfortable, what are the comments on the comfort of that Nate Berkus settee? I've been thinking about one, but also read a few reviews that it wasn't so great. I love the look but definitely want it to be at least somewhat sitable!
I have a pair of the Louis arm chairs for the head of my dining table and they are VERY comfortable. nice and deep (we're tall people) with a nice cushion on the bottom.
Our side chairs are just standard all wood chairs with no cushion and at the end of a long dinner you are ready to get up if you sit there, but the Ballard chairs are still super comfortable. LOVE that round table with them!
I have a pair of the Louis arm chairs for the head of my dining table and they are VERY comfortable. nice and deep (we're tall people) with a nice cushion on the bottom.
Our side chairs are just standard all wood chairs with no cushion and at the end of a long dinner you are ready to get up if you sit there, but the Ballard chairs are still super comfortable. LOVE that round table with them!
Ok – not really what you're asking, but I have some input. I haven't sat in the Ballard ones although they're lovely. I have 6 of the ones from Restoration Hardware (link below) that are almost identical and are VERY comfortable. They're actually cheaper, which is shocking to me. Looks like if you did 4 side chairs in the basic belgian linen, it would be $750 in total (less than $200/chair!!) or if you upgraded to a fancier velvet or other fabric, it would be $959 ($239.75/chair) in total. Or if you did 4 leather, it would be $1,149 in total ($287.25/chair). This is all not including shipping obviously…and they're on "special" but looks like they'd still be cheaper.
I don't know if you've already nixed these as an option, but I note three differences.
1. They may be just a teensy bit bigger – overall taller by 0.5", seat possibly bigger by 2" but can't tell based on the way they're written on the site if they're saying overall or just the seat is 24"D. So basically, they could be the same… The leather version seems to be almost identical.
2. The wood is more of a "vintage" look as the name suggests (i.e., the wood is not smooth, it's slightly distressed/rough with a grey stain perhaps? it's not painted). So they may not work with the marble top table depending on the rest of the plan for the space. (Although I do picture them looking a blend of natural & chic with that table in a pied-a-terre in Paris.)
3. The seat cushion is definitely more squared as shown in the picture as opposed to domed/slanted as shown in the Ballard picture, which suggests to me that it would be more of a comfortable seat/longer lasting. When I touch the RH seat, it's firm (but also cushy) and substantial. I feel like the Ballard seat may lose it's cushi-ness after a little while of sitting, but I'm no expert on cushions so that could be the opposite of what I'd expect…lol. :)
As a note overall, I've been disappointed with the direction that RH has gone in the last few years – oversized & one-note – but I would definitely recommend these chairs for the long haul.
Hopefully, not WAY too much info! Good luck – would love to see the end product! :)
upholstered: http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1617258&categoryId=cat1670020#
leather:
http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1660011&categoryId=cat1670020
OK I have the Louis XVI oval back…which I realize isn't the same thing, but they are honestly the most comfortable chairs EVERRRR, last year for Thanksgiving we sat around them for about 5 hours, and I kept suggesting we retire to the sitting room, and people wouldn't budge. I can't imagine they have some sneaky comfy secret that your chairs don't have.
I have the BDLouis XVI Square Back Arm Chair and people come over and say it's the most comfy chair. It's at a desk and my hubby will sit in it for hours working. I've had it for 2.5 yrs and the cushion is still cushy (hubby was 220lbs too. now 188 yay him) Anyway. I say yes, these are perfect for dining long into the evening.
I have 8 of the ones from Restoration Hardware, and I echo everything Carolyn said. I love everything about them….looks, quality, comfort. LOVE them!!!
I bought a chair similar to this, at Home Decorators, called the French Oval back chair and it is very comfortable. http://www.homedecorators.com/search.php?search=french+oval+chair They have the style your client is looking for, too.
Love that table but the link isn't working.
I know this isn't exactly on topic, but I am also looking at this style chair and wondered how much material was required to recover them. Anyone?
I have been considering the same chairs to pair with the same table, but had seen a post on your blog about Ballard not being willing to upholster with leather/vinyl, and with young kids that is the only option for us. I'd been eagerly awaiting any follow up for a similar chair but with leather/vinyl upholstery. Anyone know of any sources?
yeah pairing them with that cool and cute table is good. the chair looks vintage is it revived furniture?
I have these chairs, super comfortable. And I have them paired with the same table. Beware – get wood swatches for SURE for the client and don't use their fabrics. I got COM on backs and chocolate brown on the front and the brown has faded and stained very easily. Looks like a clorox pen was taken to it. so sad. But I will re-do them, they are so comfy.
Thanks to the ladies who gave the info on the RH chairs! I am looking for a client and so nice to know RH is an affordable option! Also glad to know they are comfortable!!
The designs are simple yet elegant. Love it.
Dining tables perth
I don't have those chairs but I've always loved them and would love to know about the comfort level. FYI, the link doesn't work to the Saarinen style table but I would beware of a table with a marble top and without a weighted base. I found that to be a problem with some of those tables when I was looking for mine.