English fireplace chair with ears - types and features of models

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Comfortable upholstered furniture brings comfort and warmth to your home environment. It will help you rest, relax, and be in silence. A favorite piece of furniture can be a fireplace chair, which is popular all over the world. These are soft, pleasant to the touch products with wings that smoothly turn into armrests. Such models have many names: grandfather, winged, Voltaire.

Appearance and features

Armchairs with high backs have become widespread in modern interiors. A feature of the Voltaire model is the size of the supporting surface. It often depends on the depth of the seat. You can recognize a traditional English-style chair by the following characteristics:

low curved wooden legs;
massive deep seat;
a narrow high back on which you can rest your head;
wings (ears, cheeks) on the sides of the back.

Ears can be compact or large, curly or standard rectangular. In some models they resemble the wings of a bat or moth. Today, a stylish fireplace chair comes in various variations: with a quilted or smooth surface, with a rounded or straight back. Armrests can be made of wood or decorated with textile upholstery.

Modern fireplace chairs can be very different from classic models. There are low, straight, rounded products. A variety of options are allowed, but the Voltaire version can always be recognized by the presence of 4 wooden legs and specific armrests.

Where and how to put an English chair in an apartment

To make the fireplace chair truly cozy, it is important to know where and how to place it. Otherwise, it will only make the space heavier.

Modern brown Voltaire chair

In the kitchen

If the kitchen has space for a large kitchen table, then English chairs with “wings” will definitely fit. To prevent them from weighing down the space, it is better to place the chairs at the ends, and choose the rest of the dining chairs in the same style. For example, legs of the same tree and color.

Advice:

In order for the furniture at the dining table to look harmonious, the backs of the chairs should be lower than the backs of the chairs. And the armrests of the chair should be lower than the table level, so the upholstery on the chair will not deteriorate.

Voltaire chair in the kitchen

In the living room

An English armchair in the living room will fit into the interior, both solo and in pairs. If everything is clear with one chair - place it near the sofa, window or in an empty corner, then if there are two chairs - it is better to follow the rules:

It is better to place two different Voltaire armchairs between a coffee table, so they will create a common furniture composition;

How to place two different Voltaire armchairs in the living room

It is better to place two paired armchairs with ears next to each other, so they will replace the sofa;

How to place two identical Voltaire armchairs in the living room

It is better to place two Voltaire armchairs by the fireplace on a half-side, so that the “wings” will protect from the sparks of the logs and retain heat.

White modern Voltaire armchairs in the living room by the fireplace

In the bedroom

In the bedroom, a “winged” chair can be placed at one of the bedside tables or at the dressing table.

Voltaire armchair in the bedroom near the bedside table

How to place a Voltaire chair in the bedroom

Varieties

There are several forms of winged chairs, but the differences between them are minimal. The exception to the rule will be designer models. Traditional varieties include:

Bergere. A French variation with a semicircular back, similar in appearance to a shell. The side panels are slightly beveled.
Bergere with a curl. The wings in such products are rolled up at the edges. The backrest is slightly shorter than that of traditional chairs, reaching the middle of the shoulder blades of the seated person.
Straight back. Classic furniture, made in compliance with the English style. Solid sidewalls with cheeks are located with a minimal bevel and almost at a right angle to the back. The armrests are the narrowest.
Provence. The design is no different from previous varieties. The differences include the wide comfort bolsters. The sides are produced independently of the ears.

There are models whose creators used the features of Voltaire’s chairs. Although they have their own unique features, they still remain recognizable:

Egg and swan. Based on English products, a couple of pieces of furniture with an interesting interpretation were developed. At the same time, the characteristic features were preserved, and therefore they are easy to recognize.
Gaming chairs. Fireplace chairs have gained immense popularity, so the side panels of gaming models have become a continuation of the classic wings. The lateral support expands downwards, turning into a second ear.

It is no coincidence that fireplace chairs are called that. Thanks to the design features, a seated person is completely protected from drafts, and the heat emanating from the fire will be retained. Many writers and artists who worked in the Victorian era invariably depicted idyllic episodes of family life with a burning fireplace and a cozy eared chair.

Bergère

Bergere with curl

Straight back

Provence

Egg chair

Features and characteristics of a fireplace chair with ears

It is not difficult to recognize a fireplace chair. It has a fairly recognizable appearance with characteristic features:

Lateral support from bottom to headboard. This is what they call the ears;
Wide selection of shapes. Similar options exist in a number of styles. For example, in Provence. They do not differ very significantly from each other, but still these signs are differences;
A symbol of comfort and warmth of the hearth. It’s hard to imagine this chair without the accompanying crackling of logs in the fireplace;
Great variety in external design. Each model is unique in its own way, despite small differences in shape;
Constant standing on your feet. They themselves may vary in appearance, but they are always the classic 4 supports;
Very often the sides and ears are one element.

Types of legs

The main support of the chairs are the legs, which are also the base of the furniture. Legs have always been given special importance, so each master made them in his own way. The most popular types of bases are:

Direct. All 4 legs will be smooth, without bends, with the same height.
Curved. They have a double bend and are decorated with carvings. The turned legs are thin; in the lower part you can see a slight thickening, reminiscent of an animal paw. This base gives the product elegance and unique charm.
Inclined. Mounted to the body at a slight angle. The legs themselves are teardrop-shaped or even. Compared to straight ones, they will be more massive; in some cases, they are made of chrome-plated steel.
Combined. The pair of hind legs are straight, the front legs are curved. An English fireplace chair with such a base looks unusual, but looks most impressive from the side.
Globular. Only used on bergeres. The elements are short and even, ending in a small hemisphere.
Stand. The basis is relevant for designer products (egg and some other models). The chair has only one leg, which ends in a semicircular base, located in the center.
Cross. Suitable for gaming chairs only. As in the previous case, there will be only one leg. The design rests on a five-pointed cross with several movable wheels.

Each Voltaire chair has legs. Modern models are equipped with casters for convenient movement.

General adaptation of English fireplace chairs

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Frame

To produce the frame of classic models, wooden blocks and furniture plywood are used. Less often it is replaced with particle boards. Moreover, the design is very complex. What from the side looks like a flat side with an ear in the middle is practically stuffed with bars that strengthen the structure.

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Moreover, they are placed not only along the contour, but also taking into account the diagonal stress. In higher-quality types of chairs, fiberglass composite (egg) or metal tubes (gaming ones) can be used.

Back and seat

The dimensions of the seats in the “eared” models are calculated according to two indicators. Taking into account the useful size and when measuring the overall width and depth. The first parameter is usually no more than 60 cm in two values. The second one is very often close to 90 cm. Also in two values. Height is also calculated according to two criteria.

The seat height above the floor is standard 50 cm, but taking into account the backrest, the value reaches 1.1 or 1.2 meters. For bergers this parameter is slightly lower. Their backrest rarely exceeds the threshold of 70 cm. They also have a low seat height. In most cases, it barely reaches 40 cm. The general indicators of width and depth are smaller for bergeres. Typically, these values are approximately equal to the height of the backrest.

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Upholstery

When choosing materials for upholstery, you can use the entire range of modern and not so modern fabrics. An important condition is that the fabric must be durable, without any stretching effect (stretch will not work). In terms of working properties, they are perfect for:

Matting;
Shinil;
Jacquard;
Cotton silk;
Tapestry;
Microfiber;
Thick velor;
Flocks of the latest generations with non-adhesive coating;
Corduroy or micro-corduroy;
Nylon or similar fabrics with a high content;
Acrylic mesh for covering the largest junction areas. Very important for leatherette or real leather;
Alcantara;
Ecological leather;
Real leather of excellent quality (smooth);
Nubuck (hairy leather).

Soft fabrics with a loose structure (velvet, wool) look very attractive, but wear out quickly. Do not forget. The contact area of contact with the body of a person sitting in English chairs is quite large. This is due to the fact that they are quite narrow.

The decor of the chair plays an equally important role in the interior. There are not many techniques for decoration:

Upholstery with stitching. Options where the intersections of the diamond-shaped stitch are covered with rounded overlays, covered in matching or contrasting colors, look quite nice. The stitch goes well with thick, dense fabrics, leatherette or real leather. Very soft fleecy upholstery drapes aesthetically, but is more prone to wear and tear of the pile;
Carved frame. This could be an overlay at the bottom or a shaped back design. The carving goes perfectly with the elegant silhouette of the English chair. The main thing is not to overdo it. The width of the overlay rarely exceeds 7–8 cm;
Bent carved or turned legs. Another good option. All 4 or only a pair of front legs can be curved. The rear ones remain straight;
Decorative rollers. They can be folded or equipped with special end decorative overlays decorated with silk tassels.

Even if you have purchased a chair and you don’t want to bother with reupholstering good, but not very decorative, upholstery, then you always have an option. Place an attractive lumbar bolster or a pair of luxurious cushions on the chair. They perfectly match the silhouette of the “eared” chair, will add comfort to you and help give the chair a special design. All advantages.

Base

Legs are constantly used for the base. There are several options:

Direct. In this case, all 4 supports will be the same height and ideal;
Inclined. The legs themselves are straight or teardrop-shaped, but are placed at a small angle relative to the frame. They are called stops. In most cases they are slightly thicker than straight ones. Often made from stainless steel;
Curved. The legs are made chiseled, figured, with a double bend. A small thickening is carved at the end, reminiscent of an animal’s paw. Such legs are always beautiful and thin;
Combined. The 2 rear legs are straight, and the 2 front legs are curved. This chair looks very unusual, especially from the side;
Globular. This type is used on bergeres. The leg is short and straight. The end of the leg resembles a truncated small ball;
Stand. This type of support is typical for artistic chairs (egg and similar ones). There is only one leg in the very center. Ends with a wide round stop;
Cross. Used for gaming chairs. There is also one main leg, but the emphasis is on a five-pointed cross with paired movable rollers.

Decor

When creating an unusual room interior, decorative furniture elements are important. Voltaire's chairs don't have so many of them:

Carriage tie. This design looks luxurious and expensive. Initially, the method was used to uniformly distribute the filler. To apply this decorative effect, you will need a thick fabric without patterns. Suitable leather, satin, high quality leatherette. Only dense material will not tear when tightened. On a canvas with drawings, the carriage tie will be almost invisible.
Carved frame. It is fixed at the bottom of the product or frames the back. The carving looks harmonious in tandem with the elegant shape of the English chair. When decorating, it is important to adhere to the measure; the width of the decor should not exceed 8 cm.
Bent turned and carved legs. Great idea for decorating furniture. Curves may be present on all 4 legs or only on the two front legs, while the back legs remain straight.
Decorative rollers. The upholstery of the products can have folds and be complemented with interesting overlays with silk tassels.

The carriage screed appeared in the middle of the 19th century. This method was originally used to decorate the interior surfaces of royal carriages, hence the name. Since then, such decor has been associated with high status, luxury and wealth.

Features of the English style

The British are famous for their adherence to traditions. They are conservative and reverently honor family history. One of the symbols of continuity of generations is furniture passed on by inheritance. Its distinctive features:

Made from solid wood. Most often it is bog oak. Wood is famous for its strength, hardness, and fire resistance. Pine, yew, walnut, cherry, and mahogany are also used for furniture.
The build quality is particularly durable. Moreover, the parts are connected mainly without nails or metal fasteners. Instead, wooden pins are used, inserted into drilled grooves, and special adhesive compounds. The joint is so tight that it is impossible to insert a sheet of paper, and in well-polished parts it is impossible to see the joint.
Upholstery with high-quality textiles in rich colors, companion fabrics, and genuine leather.
Furniture shape. Characteristic are massive objects with rounded lines, decorated with carvings and decorative inserts.

The English interior is characterized by wall decoration with wallpaper. Their shade should echo the furniture and upholstery. Most often the room looks dark.

Application in the interior

Despite the features and aristocracy of the English chair, it is successfully used to create interiors of a wide variety of styles. We list the directions in which the furniture will look most organic:

Classic. An elegant fireplace chair will highlight all the advantages of a classic design and bring a solemn, luxurious atmosphere to palace halls.
Art Deco. The style, which emerged at the beginning of the last century, combines the features of expensive apartments and technological progress. Leather furniture with modern shapes will come in handy. The variety of upholstery materials and color combinations opens up enormous opportunities for implementing bold solutions.
Provence. The elegant simplicity of the French province with aged objects, sheer curtains and lavender shades is organically complemented by a Voltaire armchair upholstered in light fabric.
Retro or vintage. No matter what the fireplace chair with ears looks like, it will fit harmoniously into black and white vintage interiors. The furniture will look no less organic against the backdrop of rural retro notes. The colors are selected in accordance with the overall design of the room.
Shabby chic. Models with mesh upholstery will fit into an atmosphere of feminine patterns, calm tones and cracked surfaces.
Boho. The direction gravitates towards rich colors, oriental motifs, energy and a bohemian atmosphere. To highlight the features of your style, just choose a chair that matches the color. So, a bright red model will become one of the main accents in the room.

Comfortable fireplace chairs are an indispensable attribute of a cozy living room or relaxation room. It is convenient to do handicrafts, read books or simply relax in them, enjoying the peace. Today, furniture is installed in home libraries, hallways, and offices. To add variety to your usual relaxation routine, you can complement the chair with a suitable footrest.

Classic

Art Deco

Provence

Retro

Shabby chic

boho

Materials and colors

Interiors in English are decorated in different colors. Most often this is a natural palette: dark green, burgundy, chocolate, brown, terracotta. These colors go especially well with natural wood on furniture and emphasize its aristocracy and solidity. The British also love white, ivory, beige, cream, ocher, and golden, but they appear as additional ones.

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The most characteristic feature of the English interior is dark furniture. Light is also found, but much less frequently. For upholstery, covers and pillows, different materials are used, always beautiful and of high quality:

Leather. Natural material looks organically in any interior, so furniture with such a coating can be installed in every room. Pairs well with most accessories.
Cotton. Traditionally used for upholstery and slipcovers. The fabric can be a bright or pale check, small flower, stripe or other geometric pattern.
Velvet. The material looks elegant and rich, pleasant to the touch. Used for upholstery of furniture, curtains, pillows.
Linen. The fabric is wear-resistant, durable, textured. Perfectly complements the interior, practically does not need accessories.
Tapestry. Traditional material for upholstery. Most often used with a floral or abstract pattern.

Today, the range of upholstery fabrics for furniture has become richer. Flock, velvet, materials with a combined composition (cotton, linen, polyester, viscose), and artificial leather are popular. Thanks to this, the range of furniture has expanded significantly.

As for the furniture frame, it is made from a variety of materials. The main materials used by craftsmen are sanded plywood with a thickness of 18-20 mm, MDF, and solid wood. The latter material is also used for facades. If this option is not affordable, you can choose veneered doors.

Leather

Cotton

Velvet

Linen

Tapestry

Photo

For which interior is the chair in front of the fireplace best suited?

A piece of furniture such as a fireplace chair will fit perfectly into almost any style of room, you just need to play with it correctly. Classic is the most familiar and suitable option for creating an interior with such furniture; it is distinguished by the presence of predominantly expensive materials, where either pastel and brown colors predominate, or gold and burgundy are in the lead. The upholstery of such a chair should correspond to the overall style and be an elegant addition to it.

The fireplace chair is ideal for almost any interior.

It is better for the wooden parts to be white, then harmony and comfort are ensured, even with such an unusual piece of furniture for the French style. For retro and modern style, a leather chair will be most suitable; the color of the material depends on the overall tone of the room - black leather is suitable for cool tones, and brown leather will look more harmonious for warm pastel colors. In order not to unbalance the oriental style with such furniture, you need to choose upholstery in a style such as patchwork; it will create the right mood and set you up for a relaxing pastime.

For this not quite widespread boho style, the most suitable option would be to purchase a chair with bat ears, with elements of fancy shapes and colors. Many people wonder whether to purchase such a dubious piece of furniture - will it clutter up the space or just gather dust in the corner? Experts recommend weighing the pros and cons, and then deciding on such a purchase - if the family often gathers in the living room, and there is a fireplace, or when there are elderly relatives in the family, then this piece of furniture will serve you with joy and bring incredible pleasure.

A little history

The era of classicism left a significant mark not only in painting, architecture, literature, but also in the art of interior design. In the 18th century, English furniture became a fashionable trend not only among residents of Foggy Albion, but also in European countries.

The forerunner of the favorite chair was a walnut chair with a curved back. Many found it convenient and practical. A little later, leather armchairs earned special recognition, without which it was impossible to imagine the apartments of noble families and wealthy merchants.

Handmade furniture cost a lot of money, and for a long time remained affordable only to wealthy people. The constant rivalry between English and French craftsmen only intensified competition in the furniture market.

Classicism, as a movement in art, is characterized by aristocracy, conservatism, but at the same time grace, harmony of forms and lines. The most valuable exhibits date back to the seventeenth century. It is worth noting that the halls and rooms at that time were heated with wood, and the furniture protected them from cold and drafts. With the development of artistic trends at the beginning of the twentieth century, for example, Art Nouveau, new solutions appeared in the art of interiors and interest in such chairs faded into the background.

In the middle of the last century, the traditions of classicism inspired the European master Arne Jacobsen to create the famous egg chair. The new interior element almost instantly gained incredible popularity and continues to do so to this day. Today, English armchairs are again attracting the attention of buyers around the world.

Serious choice

Despite the common name, English chairs can look completely different. This applies to almost all elements of furniture and fittings. The back can be straight or close to anatomical. An alternative to straight and strict armrests is the so-called shaped “ears”, which provide reliable lateral support and comfort. The legs are most often low, straight or curved.

When choosing furniture, you should be especially attentive, not only to the materials, but also to the manufacturer. The chair can be made both in a mass production line and individually upon request. The latter case is preferable, but it will not be cheap.

According to the rules, the frame is made from solid wood of expensive and durable species. This is a guarantee that the chair will please not only you, but also your grandchildren. High-quality textile materials and genuine leather will give you a feeling of comfort and coziness.

Dimensions

Dimensions of different models:

The seat width is about 60 cm, the depth is between 70–90 cm (if the chair is made independently, for convenience, the seat is often turned into a square with a side of 60–70 cm);
The height of the seat relative to the floor is about 50 cm, the height of the backrest is up to 1.1–1.2 m (these are the parameters for chairs in the classic English style). For regular Bergers, the dimensions are reduced to 40 cm and 70 cm, respectively; for Bergers with a curl, the height of the seat and back is almost the same - about 50 cm.

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These dimensions guarantee the fireplace chairs strength and stability, and as a result, durability. The dimensions have been tested over several centuries of their operation. The invariability of the design greatly simplifies the task for those who want to make fireplace chairs with their own hands - the drawings are easy to find in the public domain. Although the work itself is quite a difficult task. What appears to be a single piece of wood from the outside is, on the inside, a combination of timbers that provide the necessary strength and weight distribution.