Greta and Aurel search out the “Chaise Comfort Parfait”

Well, my dears! It’s your designer sleuth Greta again! ….Do let me apologize for the lapse of the last weeks – Aurel has been under construction deadline mode, shuttling between a total ‘gut’ job at Le Château downtown, and a super expansion up at Lac Supérieur with a spa and indoor pool… Needless to say, (but I must), he’s always tracking in plaster dust over my best Persians when he drops over for a Martini to discuss the projects, (while I try to pick his brain and find out more of his design secrets) The dust is finally settling, so, we are going out to discover the ‘plus que parfait’ arm chair for sipping Martinis – and a superb table to rest it upon between sips… - I always remember what he chanted at one of his design conferences: ‘Next to each chair, please find a horizontal surface at least a foot square – for your Martini!’ (I’m certain, dear readers, that you’ve been in several sumptuous living in your day, but missing that little space, put your drink on the floor, and then when your old friend Caroline swept into the room,, the dear next to you kicked it over when she rose for her kiss… that gin will really take the finish off!!) So we must find the chair that says all the right things about me and my home…what might they be? First, above all, it must fit at the small of my back, deep enough for my buns, and high for my legs – also-do I hear the words ‘Footstool? Ottoman? Pouf?’ Really my dears, no offence, but those Eze-chairs, Barca-loungers – take up so much space with their retractable this and that – not in MY livingroom! A firm separate foot support about 18 inches high is rather practical and can always act as another seat for a party. Of course the other aspects are Style – and Scale – I must fit my needs and further amplify my style – I want something classic, but not too froufrou mahogany, or walnut wood frame with the seat having a se3parate cushion – down and feathers 40% to 60% is the beast ratio, also, reversible means extra war – (or the Homey side and the Company side!) I want the fabric in a rose or peach ultra suede so that it’ll be a sexy and practical accent to the room, and ALL will know it’s for Greta, and not their buns!!! Well, we must go to Fraser’ over on Davenport, off Royalmount and Décarie, stop in at Thomasville, and see what Union has also. Then over to Paré to see the folks at Chrysalis with their different collection, and then run over to Ambiente (where Kenny Wong’s was – remember, they were in St. Leonard before) – they have joined the cluster around the Jean –Talon and Décarie junction. The area is really looking super. Oh, yes, Scale! Do try to have the size of your new chair relate to the rest of the room, not a bedroom slipper size, or a giant Throne! (although you want the best chair in the room – don’t let it up-stage the occupant!) Anyways always take measurements and photos of possible candidates so you don’t fall in to un-filled love. A super colour or size out of context can be toxic when it’s delivered. Oh, I can’t believe where the time has gone, so let’s pause for a you-know-what (with olive) and relegate the rest of Aurélien’s and my search for the purrfect chair for next time… where will we find it (East?, Laval? Knowlton?) By-by for now, your dear Greta and her ever patient Aurélien. Oh, if you want to know where he’s speaking in the next few weeks, e-mail his office at aurelien@colorsbyaurelien.com.