Just three days into the official Autumn season and I’m already craving for a hot cup of tea to sip in front of a fireplace! If you love Autumn as much as I do, most probably your favorite spot for the colder days is the armchair in your living room.

It’s a cozy nook to curl up with a book, a peaceful spot from which to gaze out the window, and best of all it’s something you can fully claim as yours. To me, a beautiful and comfortable armchair is indisputably one of the essential elements of a well-designed and cozy living room.

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Our homes respond to many aspects of our life. Especially in these uncertain times, we need to create some spots at home where to unplug and relax. Read here my tips on How to create a quite corner at home.

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An armchair has the task of making us feel at ease but also sets the tone of the living room. The furniture industry offers such a wide selection of products that picking up the best one is not an easy task. This is where I come in! For a new project (a living room renovation) I started searching for new furniture and I selected 9 armchairs I think are the most beautiful out in the world right now.

Egg lounge chair (60th-anniversary edition)

This is definitely an iconic piece, an everlasting Danish design masterpiece. Arne Jacobsen originally designed it for the lobby of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Since then, it was 1958, Fritz Hansen has been manufacturing the Egg chair right up to this day. It’s a sculptural piece whose curved shape was quite unusual for its time. For the 60th anniversary two years ago, Fritz Hansen launched a special edition upholstered in natural leather with a 23K gold coated base. A real treat for design lovers at heart!

Jørna Armchair – FDB Møbler

This roomy and comfortable armchair it’s a Danish classic. It has been designed by Poul M. Volther for his wife Jørna to have a comfortable seat while knitting. During the very first Design Apéro I organized last year, I also discovered that this was Queen Ingrid’s favorite chair. This spacious armchair didn’t change from the 1950s (except for the finishings’ colors) and it still looks very modern. Wood is bent in Italy.

Gropius low chair by NOOM

The low chair brings the name of Walter Gropius and salutes the 100th anniversary of the founding
of the Bauhaus School in Germany. Their ideas of functionalism and the combination of art and craft are both reflected in this cozy armchair that is a synthesis of simple geometric shapes. The version in white, soft boucle is perfect if you are furnishing a neutral inspired interior.

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Fried egg armchair

Another Danish design piece (I might have a penchant for it). The Fried egg from Warm Nordic is one of my favorite discoveries: Hans Olsen designed a lounge chair that invites you to assume a semi-reclining position. it’s like having a daybed in the form of an armchair! I’m sure you’ll love the two-tone combinations available to personalize it. Did you know that it’s called like this because if you observe the armchair from above it looks like a fried egg?

Corolla lounge chair

The first time I saw this armchair designed by Cristina Celestino for Billiani I thought it was made in an ice-cream factory. This is a playful design I talked about in an article for Domus some months ago and it’s right on the curved shape trend. Curvy shapes and softened edges enhance the sense of relaxation of the Corolla armchair and make it perfect for nestling with a book.

Essex swivel chair

This is exactly as it sounds: a swivel chair that hugs you! It’s inspired by the metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly and is upholstered in velvet. The aged brass base gives the armchair a sophisticated look.

Chips Lounge chair by TON

This has been on my bookmark files for like a year. What’s not to love about this armchair? The backrest is shaped like if it was a potato chip and with its gentle curves invites to snuggle up and relax. The contrasting materials, bent wood + perforated fabric, make the armchair visually light and airy. The back pillow is removable.

Lisetta armchair

This is a design for those of you that love Vienna straw furniture (and gradient colors). The Lisetta armchair is an exquisite tribute to the art of weaving. What I love in this armchair designed by Elena Salmistraro for Bottega Intreccio is the embracing seatback that comes into 2 heights. It’s a beautiful example of a traditional technique made contemporary.

Paper Plane armchair

Even though this is a design from 2010, I find it still relevant in the current market. The armchair resembles an outsized origami and has been designed by Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien for Moroso. The chair is made of injected flame-retardant polyurethane foam over an internal steel frame. the base is square tubular steel with matt coat finish; glides are steel with chrome finish or brass. It comes in different color combinations and finishes.

What do you think about this selection? Did you find some interesting pieces? I know that some of the beautiful armchairs listed here can be beyond our budget. The good news is that there are a lot of stores that sell vintage furniture at more affordable prices. For example, you can have a look at online shops such as Pamono or 1stdibs that sells classic designs and timeless furniture.

If you decide to buy new furniture, remember that a high-quality piece is an investment: it’s something that you can pass onto the next generations making it really special for you and your family. Have a look at these 5 online shops for furniture lovers: it’s a roundup of some of the shops I personally check out when on the hunt for new furniture.

If you liked the selection, share this articles with your design loving friends!

Cover photo: Fried egg armchair from Warm Nordic. Photo courtesy: Warm Nordic.