seeing this every where lately.....






Door knockers/ring pulls on the backs of upholstered chairs.  Is it a fad? A classic ? Do you like it? Have you used it in your designs? I'm not sure one could actually pull the seat out by the ring without loosening  the upholstery over time. So it's really just a chair bauble. right?

photo credit:: summer thorton

 

Let's chat about this, superfluous, pretty bit of hardware. 

Personally, I like it....... in the right space.

Comments

I like it -and I think it's really practical too! Pull the chair back with your grubby hands using the pull rather than the expensive upholstery!
Whitney said…
I'm definitely not a fan of this fad. I think it looks tacky - and it has no functionality. Yuck, yuck, yuck!
Lauren said…
I'm not a fan. It reminds me of one of those things you put a bath towel through... which just makes me think of a toilet.
I saw it on a Baker chair years ago and LOVED it. When Ballard threw one on a similar chair (dare I say, knock off?), I realized it was going to get really, really popular.

I still like them. :)
Shelly said…
I'm not totally sure.. sort of like it, but it really is like an earring for the chair. More like a pirate earring actually. hee hee.
Karena said…
Hi Megan, I think it is a decor item. It looks okay to ne, kind of interesting.

It is like every designer needs to find an edge then evereyone follows!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
i like it too -- only when it's ovesized though, like in the first picture.
preppyplayer said…
I guess it's cool, although I automatically feel as though I should hang a towel on it...
Full House said…
I first noticed hardware on chairs a few years back. It seems Michele Bonan uses them quite a bit in the hotels he designs like the jk capri. I like it even if I have spotted chairs at Home Goods with the rings on the back. and there ya go.
Eileen said…
I'm not a fan. It reminds me of pimp-mobile with overly flashy wheels.
Suzie Salmon said…
A whimsical nod to the always classic equestrian trend. LUV it.
Suzie
@UrbanCntryStyle
Brion R. Judge said…
This look finds its way back into furniture design every few years. Sometimes it is a bit more austere, others (like now) more showy. There actually is a historical precedent for the look. At a few times in history chairs did have handles on them, most often reserved for the aristocricy, athough in those times the handles were completely functional.
72 and sunny said…
Brion, thank you I knew that someone out there had the backstory. I'm generally not that blogger, who feels the need to 'school' the reader. So I depend on people like you to fill me in.


ok, truthfully, I have one designer friend who did this in his perfectly appointed, home and it looks fantastic. But I think past that, I'm starting to not like it.
It's like a piece of jewelry. I'm all about those interesting little details. LOVE it!
Zakary said…
I do not like it, the longer I stare at it, the longer I am confused.

I look at that and know that my kids and my husband would wreck it in about 4 seconds.
Anonymous said…
Love it, have it (why not jewelry for chairs?)...BUT.....with 5 pets, assorted children-- said chairs are inevitably knocked over. And their lovely jewelry knocked off.
Ron said…
When it was shown first it was kind of a neat detail. Now cheaper lines are using these 'oversized'pulls making this detail become 'not done' in the high end world of interior design.
Functional;
The loose hanging doorknob ring is usefull to pull, not usefull to push the chair towards table.
A fixed cabinet pull, makes moving chair bothways go easy and prevent greasy fingers on your delicate fabrics.
Ron ( empel collections . com )
Karen said…
I like it on the right chair but wonder if what you mentioned might happen---the urge to pull on the ring might cause damage over time. Kind of like folks that force a dummy set of hardware on French doors (trying to open the stationery side of the door).
Karen
mary said…
Hi Megan, I like Brion's answer, additionally there were pull-up chairs with handles placed at the top of the chair from the French Empire period and which reappeared during Nap. III and Art Deco and then (again) in modernism. Personally, don't like door knockers on chairs...it seems trendy and a bit staged to me. Have a great week-end. Mary
I like it! If you are able to anchor the hardware to the frame of the chair, you could easily use it!
Unknown said…
Megan, it is funny you mentioned this, I have noticed these too lately! I figured they were in the same category as doorknobs in the middle of the door, just for looks and fun! I can see the usefulness of a stationary handle though. One you can use to push and pull. I will be watching 2011 to see if it takes off even more this year!
xoxo,
Sandee
farnorthcarrie said…
A gal needs a ring to hitch her pony to when she's chowing down doesn't she?
Paula Masterman said…
Chair jewelry - and like all jewelry, the wearing should be a taste and not an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Barbara Matson said…
Its interesting but my son would most likely hook something to it and drag the chair around the house - not good!

Thanks for following via twitter, sent you a reply re:fabric inquiry.

Adding you to my blog roll!
K. said…
I just saw this when i was going through some pictures on Atlanta Home mag's site. There are John Boone chairs that have a pull on the back (http://www.atlantahomesmag.com/sites/default/files/images/3/1867_west_wesley-6-hires.jpg. I think its kind of neat! Personally, i like these "pulls" a little better than the round "knockers." I also think they are more functional on dining chairs than, say, occasional chairs in a living room. Its an interesting idea, thanks for posting the pictures! PS I LOVE your blog :)

Katie @ Goodsy
http://goodsy.wordpress.com/
It definitely has a fad look and I agree that actually using the pull would take its toll on the fabric over time. However, I appreciate the history behind the idea.
Caroline YU said…
LOVE it. have loved it the first time i saw it (some design mag). also love the handle on top of the chair. has anyone seen that? williams sonoma home has one. the ring is typically attached to the frame os they are solid, not just going to come out with a few pulls.
Oh goodness, I happen to love metal embellishments... like jewelry for furniture. But just as the metalwork worn on your neck and wrists, it all comes down to craftsmanship and quality! They can either be a lovely detail element or make you wonder… what…were… they thinking?

Xo Jessica Rae
{lovely ugly design}
http://lovelyuglydesign.blogspot.com/
billy Fisher said…
I see hardware without a practical purpose as distracting. The design of a chair should stand on its own. Otherwise it stands out as not purposeful or doesn't belong there. Beautiful blog, thank you.

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