Wing Chair
Wing chairs have been called by many other names, which include grandfather chair, wingbacks, club chair, and ear chair. This type of chair has been around for centuries; some estimate that they have been around as early as the 17th century. They are still very much a part of today’s furnishings. The following are useful information and tips about these elegant pieces of furniture.
What are Wing Chairs?
A wingback chair is a type of high back upholstered chair. The so called wings refer to the part coming extending to the sides of the chair above the arms towards the front, usually at an angle of 90 degrees. The purpose of the wings is to give added protection from drafts. Incidentally, it also traps the heat coming from the fireplace. It has a seat outfitted with either a loose or a tight cushion.
The older samples of wingbacks usually aren’t completely upholstered. The older ones that have survived through the years will have exposed frames and will have padded arm rests, back, and cushions. Nowadays, these chairs come in various designs depending on the manufacturer. Some of these styles even give that old world feel to any room.
Standard Styles
From the early designs that date back centuries before to the styles in fashion today, you can still classify wingbacks according two standardized styles. You can classify them either as scroll wings or as flat wings. However, you will also note that some people add butterfly and bat wings into the classification.
Regular Usage
Since these chairs do generally stand up straight and upright, they are not really ideal as chairs that you would use in front of a TV. There’s just no way you can slouch or hang loose while watching your favorite show. Instead, they are most likely suited for reading, dining, and even conversing with friends. The low arms on wing chairs make them quite suitable for use as a dining table.
Types of Wing Chairs
The variants of these chairs will depend on the respective country of origin. Each type and design is typical of their era and region in which they were made. For example, American wingbacks follow suit with the typical New England styles that date back to the 1700s. On the other hand, the British library wing dates back to the 1800s and follows suit with the style and design of that era, with its typical leather upholstery.
Both the Queen Anne and French Wing are designed to be quite smaller than the earlier variants. They are most likely designed to be ladies’ chairs. They were introduced near the end of the 18th century. Nowadays the design of each variant depends on the manufacturer though some still follow suit with these aforementioned classic designs.
Other Considerations
Other than the styles, types, and the intended use there are also other things you should consider before you purchase a wing chair. For one thing, you should consider the available space you have in your living room or wherever it is you intend to install it. You can always check the chair’s dimensions and compare it with the amount of space you have available. This information may also be available in the manufacturer’s or store’s website.
Another thing you have to consider is the decor you have at home. Your color and design of the wing chair you’ll buy should match the current furnishings. You should also consider the availability of tools and equipment you will need in case you have to repair the chair. A good tip in order to easily match your chair with the rest of the furniture is to use slipcovers.