The Many Features of Parsons Chairs

Parsons chairs are great for adding some style and sophistication to any décor, especially that of the dining room.  The versatility of the patterns and fabric allow them to blend into and accent the most formal of design schemes while still being able to lend a casual tone to less formalized settings.  Parsons chairs originated around the end of the 19^th century in Europe.  Their unique design can be traced back to the Parsons School of Design, in Paris.  The basic elements of the chair remain essentially unchanged but the many features of a Parson chair allows owners to choose the chairs perfectly suited for their décor.

Parsons chairs are available with skirts, or without.  For those without skirts, the legs of the chair tend to become more prominent.  Persons with a more contemporary interior design would do well to choose Parsons chairs with tapered legs.  If you have a more formal atmosphere in your home, then you might want to choose Chippendale styled legs.  These have decorative stretchers that run in between each leg and lend an air of elegance to the Parsons chairs.  For a classic style with curving lines, Queen Anne legs are a great choice.  Contemporary Parsons chairs are available in a wide array of leg styles that will accentuate almost any décor. 

If want your Parsons chairs to have skirts or you want an upholstered Parsons chair, then you have some decisions to make because there are several varieties from which to choose.  A kick pleat is a basic four panel skirt.  The box pleat also has pleats at each corner but also has one in the center of each panel such as the France Roll Back Parson Chair.  Parsons chairs with box pleat skirts work well in both formal and casual settings. 

The triple-pleat skirt is much like the box pleat except for the fact that there are three pleats in each corner instead of one.  For those looking for some Parsons chairs for their country-inspired casual décor, the corner ruffle may be the skirt you are looking for.  These are essentially the same as a standard kick pleat but the pleats in each corner are ruffled.  A ruffled skirt, on the other hand, has ruffles throughout the skirt and might be found in a girls’ bathroom or bedroom.  The striped skirt is little more than a kick pleat that has had a horizontal band of fabric attached to the bottom that contrasts with the color of the skirt.  Finally, for Parsons chairs with a scalloped skirt, these have two different colored skirts with the top one scalloped over the bottom.  The different skirts are usually of different colors and tend to produce a more dramatic effect than the monotone skirts. 

Although Parsons chairs have been around for over a century, they remain stylistic additions to dining rooms across the globe.  They are available with different leg and skirt styles, like a brown or red parson chair, to help accommodate any décor and make the space more warm and inviting.  So if you are looking for a way to add some style and sophistication to your dining room, check into some of the many varieties of contemporary Parsons chairs available for the ones perfect for you!