Ah February, the month we associate with declarations of love, velvet boxes filled with chocolate, and curling up in a cozy corner to escape the lingering effects of winter. Preferably, with a cup of something warm in hand and plenty of good books by our side. “Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.”--Henry Ward Beecher If you’re all a-flutter about how to please your Valentine this month, take heart. We’ve got a gift idea that will make an impression that will last long after those over-priced posies drop their petals. What could be more special than creating a cozy reading corner for the one you love, centered on a comfy armchair you’ve chosen just for them? Not sure where to start? No problem. We’ve rounded up our faves for inspiration and your personal (ahem) reading pleasure!
For those who adore the written word, the Abbey Chair from the Twilight Bay Collection offers a graceful silhouette with exposed wood details and a decidedly romantic bent we absolutely love. Since the ideal reading nook needs a table beside the chair to hold your significant other’s glasses, a good lamp (and of course, books), we’ve paired it with the Olivia Tray Table. Four adjustable pull-out shelves make this versatile piece a great option for stowing magazines, newspapers, favorite reads and more.
How do I love thee, let me count the ways...Surely at least two when presented with this pair of Bradbury Chairs from the Palos Verdes Collection. Katrina Patton, SVP of Product Development says, “The turned wood stretchers add interest and lighten the overall silhouette, and the pitch of this design is perfect for reading.” The oversize lumbar pillow ups the comfort further, whether they’re reading Shakespeare sonnets or the latest romance by Nicholas Sparks.
Admit it: It was a certain amount of animal magnetism that drew you together in the first place. We think the Xavier Chair from the Fieldale Lodge Collection with its plush, button-tufted back is an eye-catching way to say you still think they’re sexy. Note too the position of the reading lamp. Key to any reading space is proper lighting, using soft, reader-friendly bulbs. Once that’s in place you can always add ambient lighting to enhance the mood.
Every woman will tell you: men are universally difficult to buy for. If the goal is to make him feel all warm and fuzzy, skip the ties and cologne and head straight for the Flanders Leather Chair and Ottoman from the Lexington Leather Collection. Rich, masculine and the ultimate in comfort, this is the kind of chair that only gets better with time. (And isn’t that the message you really want to send about your relationship?)
You say he’s the definition of the modern man? Can’t you just picture him stretched out in the Chronicle Chair and Ottoman from the 11 South Collection on a lazy Sunday morning reading “The Times?” For daytime reading, nothing beats daylight, so choose a sunny corner when you deciding where he should put his feet up.
“The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, and all the sweet serenity of books.”--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The thing about snuggling in and escaping to a favorite reading spot is that with the right chair, just about any room will work. “We show the Daisy Slipcover Chair in front of the fire here, but imagine it in either your bath or boudoir,” suggests Patton. “Add a throw of your choosing in a texture that delights you, or stash a selection of favorite quilts in a basket nearby.” Happy reading!
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