MODERN MASSAGE CHAIRS
Massage chairs were created in California in 1986
as portable devices that therapists could use to
deliver seated, full-body massages at locations
other than private clinics. Their design meant that
clients could wear street clothes while still giving
massage therapists adequate access. Soon they
were popping up in high-traffic, public spaces like
airports, hotel lobbies and conventions.
Those early devices have evolved remarkably, in
both function and style, and now they can come
home with you, too.
These days, massage chairs are programmed with
several robotic (automatic) massages dispensed
via a variety of massage techniques, from shiatsu
to acupressure. As well, there’s a wide range of
sophisticated constructions. Modern massage
chairs are handsome enough to fit in with your
best décor and come in a pleasing choice of
prices. All are designed to target tension in your
back and neck, with some models that also soothe
calves and feet. In addition to relieving stress and
feeling good, chair massagers are widely believed
to benefit your circulatory and immune systems
just as manually delivered massages reputedly do.
With the Cineplex Massage Recliner, you can sooth your aching body
with heated lumbar support and 10 different
functions for digital massage. Then prop up
side tables for a treat while watching movies or
working on the laptop. The Cineplex is available
in top-grain leather or velvet micro-fiber fabrics.
The Heirloom Black Robotic Massage Recliner is crafted of bonded glove leather and a solid oak armrest and base. In addition to its pre-programmed massages it offers a quad-roller massage that allows you to focus extra attention on specific areas, a cloth “soft-window” for more intense neck massage, a two-layer, folded design head pillow and a foot and calf massager. It’s also a power-recliner.
Animated acents
Accent chairs add that extra stroke of
personality that takes a room from nicely
furnished to strikingly decorated. They have
several distinct uses. If you’re just starting
to experiment, a good place to begin is by
identifying and remembering the specific effect
you want to accomplish.
One easy and satisfying job for an accent
chair is to define a bonus space in your main
seating arrangement. Use a lone chair to create
a supplemental area specifically for reading,
listening to music, or just drinking in a great
view. Your purpose will determine the style of
chair — a chaise for sun-kissed naps or perhaps
a cosy chair for crocheting?
Offset the chair, add a small basket or table plus
a task lamp, and voila, you’ve accented. Accent
chairs can also emphasize or soften a room’s
main theme or colour scheme. In a neutral zone
with occasional hints of colour, a chair in one
strong hue will communicate that the touch
of colour wasn’t an accident. In a bright room,
a large chair in a neutral will give the eye a
relaxing break.
The Addin Club Chair with its compact footprint
in luxurious faux-leather, is ideal for accenting
small spaces that want to underscore either
retro or modern themes.
The Aaron Red Reclining Accent Chair is a splendid accent chair choice because it will insert surprise into a predominantly modern or traditional décor, and pull together the mood of a transitional room, too. Take advantage of its smooth reclining mechanism not just in a family or great room, but in an office, bedroom or hallway.
Sleek stools
For polished seating that seamlessly connects your kitchen’s décor to the rest
of your living space, nothing beats bar stools. Their simple structure lets the
eye glide across a gathering of multiple stools without tripping over clutter. And
because bar stool designs now run the gamut from chic and sculptural to exotic
or rustic, in colours and textures that can be serene or punchy, they’re hardworking
accessories as well as valuable essentials.
To maximize their contribution to your interior design,
remember these simple tips:
- Size up a bar stool from all angles. Usually it’s their backsides that greet you first. Make sure they are well-made from the rear view.
- Decide whether they will be occupied briefly (for drinks) or longer periods (full meals). Wood and metal seatconstruction is fine for short stays, but for lingering you’ll want bigger, deeper seat surfaces.
- Measure your counter or table height and leave 10 to 13 inches between its bottom and the stool seat, for comfortable posture and movement while eating.
The Dakota Counter Height Bar Stool presents both
glamour and durability. Made of chocolate-coloured, solid mango
hardwood with bi-cast leather seats in easy-to-clean polyurethane,
it can be matched with a pub table, bench and server in the same
wood.
The 30" Ali Barstool has a solid frame and footrest. It also comes with plastic glides on the legs to protect flooring.
