Every man needs his chair...

It's true! Every man needs a spot to kick his feet up, relax with a fine beverage, and contemplate the world. This is why my first purchase after graduating from college was a plush, overstuffed leather recliner. In fact, it was the only piece of furniture I had in my apartment for the longest time. I dubbed it "The Man Chair"...and it was. Partially because it was my chair, and partially because it was so ugly that no woman would want to sit in it. Oh how I loved my man chair, but times change and sometimes we just have to move on.

That's why before I left Oregon I passed it on to my good friend Shawn.

Now that I'm so close to having my own place out here in Georgia, the search for a new chair has begun. I've been to so many different furniture stores, and keep finding the same overstuffed look I had before. My tastes must have changed, because now this is not appealing whatsoever. For some reason, built in coolers and massagers just seem a little "NASCAR-ish"...if you know what I mean. I'm looking for a chair that can provide comfort, and still look good in the new digs.

Surprisingly, I did find a contender at IKEA (www.ikea.com)- the Poang. For only $149, it's not bad at all. It's got a minimalist design that would flow with the new house and it's very comfy. They have lots of fabric and leather options for it, as well as a number of frame options. Add the matching ottoman and it's great to kick back in. However, even though it seemed good, there was something about it that just wasn't right. Perhaps it was the fact that upteen million IKEA shoppers have all taken home at least one of these chairs because of it's "affordable solution to modern living". This was not the chair.

A few weeks passed, and Gayle and I were actually on a mission to find a FLOR (www.flor.com) retailer. This seems to be the "in" thing right now for rugs and carpet...an interchangeable tile system that is durable and affordable. Plus it allows you to mix and match and create your own quirky piece. We totally lucked out because there is an official FLOR showroom in Atlanta...but it's only open 8-5 Monday - Friday and like 4 hours on Saturday. Since Saturdays are the running errands day, we have yet to make it to the official showroom. We did find another retailer that carries a FLOR line that was open though- Design Within Reach (www.dwr.com)

When we arrived, the consultants were both busy with other customers, so we started poking around. They carry some very modern pieces, and a lot of them just seemed silly. However they had a few chairs, so we killed some time sitting in them. Most felt like they looked- extremely hard and not comfortable at all. We laughed and kept poking around. When a sales associate came over, we were trying different chairs and the conversation started with looking for a replacement to the man chair. She laughed and showed us one chair, I swear was out of Dr. Evil's lair- total evil genius style. And like the others...totally uncomfortable. Then she had me sit in another chair...

And it was heaven.

This chair looked funky because of it's minimal padding and curvy design. But I swear to you this was the most comfortable chair I have ever sat in! I just couldn't comprehend how this chair felt this comfy...but it did! Both Gayle and the sales consultant mentioned I had the goofiest look on my face after I sat down- like a light bulb came on according to the consultant. I had Gayle try it as well, and she had the same reaction. Complete comfort. This was now the chair we had to own.

Until we saw the price tag- $3419! (chair and ottoman)

Now, I thought the name of this store was 'Design Within Reach'...and most of the people I know can't reach $3419 for a chair. So I had to ask about it.

"When Florence Knoll challenged Finnish-born architect and designer Eero Saarinen in 1948 to create a chair that she could curl up in, she had found an apt candidate for the task. The Womb Chair's enveloping, lap-like form continues to be one of the most iconic and recognized representations of mid-century Scandinavian organic modernism. In fact, ask most designers and architects what lounge chair design they covet and they'll promptly tell you it's the Womb Chair."

Oh...that's why it's so expensive.

Leave it to me to fall in love with a chair that costs an arm and a leg. But it is now my mission to own one. Gayle is totally supportive of the purchase too, even though most everyone else I know thinks I'm insane. I'll save up my spare change, go for a big bonus at work, sell my blood...whatever it takes I must have one of these chairs.