For a warm and welcoming home, sensual, classic curves will do. Curvy furniture are back, creating a lovely and artistic ambience, writes JANICE NKOLI IFEME.
People with taste are leaving the conventional, rectangular and square straight cut shapes for more curvy and sensual styles in their home and office fittings.
After more than a decade of understanding linear furnishing, some decorators are now switching to curves. Now, arcs are appearing in many places, from statement seating to sinuous tables, organically shaped kitchen cabinetry to consoles.
The many brand furniture stores around the metropolis display different styles in their showrooms to the admiration of shoppers and passersby.
A dealer who specialises in curved furniture, Mr Moses Eruchalu said: “They are not conventional. They are not things you see in every store. In many cases, we deliver them based on the taste of the customer. In as much as many love their artistic appeal, they may not go for them because they believe it is a bit on the high side. But it is not so. Just like antiques, they are strictly for those who love to stand out from the norm. We are happy dealing with this set of customers because they know they are getting value for their money”.
According to him, curves are more difficult to conceive and manufacture than sharp angles. In the past, they were seen more in antiques but now, it has been taken to a high art form of contemporary furniture.
According to a research from Oregon State University, People react more positively to, and prefer to socialise in spaces filled with curvy forms and shapes, as opposed to rectangles,
“Curvilinear forms create warmth,” noted Sibel Dazkir, a doctoral student in design and human environment, who conducted the study. “They are associated with organic forms found in nature. If you want your guests to feel more comfortable, use curved shapes in the room”, she added.
Seeing that most curved furniture are usually imported, which increases their cost in the shopping malls, some local furniture designers have taken it upon themselves to produce them and make them more affordable. Among such local designers is the Jakande –Okeafa Furniture Makers Association with stores located along Isolo, Jakande and Ikotun road. Another group is also waxing strong on the Ikeja axis of the Agege Motor Road. A local furniture specialist, Mr Gbenga Moronfolu, said: “Before, people thought that good furniture can only be imported but we have proved them wrong. Many people now come to us and we produce unique curved and straight furniture to their delight.”
Curved fittings come in different forms and sizes and would give a unique effect anywhere.
A lover of curvy design, Mr Barnabas Iwundu, displayed some curvy designs in his office and home. Pointing excitedly at his curved office furniture, he said: “It creates a comfortable environment and makes people feel welcome. What I love about this table is that it is a big impressive piece, but at the same time, the shape is very peaceful, warm and relaxed. Sometimes, design can be sharp and cold but this is not aggressive furniture”.
Mr Ahmed Sidki, whose works have gone on exhibition in different parts of the world said: “Curves are always more time consuming but worth it in the end”. He explained the technical challenges of producing his work: “the metal must be cut with absolute accuracy and the edges butted tightly, each meticulously welded to avoid distortion through heat expansion, then ground and sanded by hand. “The technical accomplishment may be dazzling, but it is the aesthetics that appeal to buyers”, he said.
In functional areas of the house, such as kitchen, curves could be easier to live with than straight-up-and-down furnishings. Besides, they give unique appeal. Curve is among the distinctive fittings you could keep in your home.
You could get a skilled local furniture maker to make styles that strive towards perfection, elegance, beauty and charm.
The scheme is to give your home a warm and welcoming feel with a classic and sophisticated look. If well picked, your style could be an inimitable creation that would stand the test of time and not go out of fashion; instead, it should become contemporary furniture classics.
Here are some classy designs to choose from.
Music chair
The music chair is a joy of modern design; you can create something useful and still be playful. Its curvaceous nature has a spark of ingenuity and the fact that it is really a couch and comes equipped with speakers, makes it more interesting. It is really for those with big ears.
Curved nest leather chair
This is a great example of a clever use of leather because it is made to look like a leave, seating in this chair gives you a feeling that you are hanging up a jungle tree.
Swedish bathtub
In a way, it is surprising that bathroom design has veered towards the clinical, this great bathtub design shows that there is room for more innovation, The pale wood gives it a very Swedish feel. The fact that it has curves adds to the warm feeling of a bathtub.
Curvy book shelf
This curvaceous book shelf works as a display cabinet.
Viva bar stool
This is a very seductive chair, it is very feminine just because it has a bottom part which looks like a female skirt, the silver edge at the foot is also enticing.
Bamboo chairs
Bamboo is an amazingly durable and strong material, which also grows quickly making it an easily renewable resource. Its inherent strength allows the spring a super-thin curvy profile and ensures a light weight chair. The sensuous curves shine with dense grain, while the material’s flexibility allows a gentle soothing rocking motion. An ergonomic design, the bamboo chair provides great comfort as well as modern classic style.
Curved bench
The curved bench set is durable and ideal for in and outdoor setting.
Jig saw
The jig saw glows and works very well in a restaurant environment.
