Footstools that do it all
Footstools that do it all
Sit back. Put your feet up. You deserve it! We all do this season, as the footstool/pouf/ottoman/thing-that’s-propping-our-feet-up is back in vogue, poised in place at the edge of our favourite seat ready to make things a whole lot comfier – and looking good while it’s there. Once considered a relic of the past, poufs are a humble yet versatile addition to modern seating arrangements.
Of all of the changes the contemporary home has undergone recently, two things have led the way: the focus on comfort at all times, and on flexibility in design. And if the pouf doesn’t neatly tick off these two at once, we don’t know what furniture piece does. Serving as a place to put weary soles in need of a boost, poufs transform seating into something a little slouchier, changing a place to sit into somewhere to lounge, turning formal seating to the more laid back. As the sitter is given more space in the room, it’s not just the feet that are elevated – comfort-levels shoot up too.
Smile Stool by Porada
Lepli Pouf by Poltrona Frau
VIPP655 by Vipp
Poufs can also live double lives as pieces of multipurpose design, moonlighting as beautiful-in-their-own-right decorative accents which add compact depth and interest to a room, as well as – design dependant – extra seating spots, low tables, or even bonus storage. Can there be a more space-efficient multi-tasker in the home? If you think a pouf is something that belongs at your grandparent’s fireside, it’s time for a refresh.
The contemporary designer pouf can look like... well, almost anything. From tufted velvet ottomans, minimalist leather cubes and upholstered sculptures, poufs are no longer limited to simple, understated designs; they now come in an endless variety of shapes, textures, materials and colours.
Togo Ottoman by Ligne Roset
Eames Ottoman by Vitra
Beetle Chair and Ottoman by Gubi
As with any furniture piece, there are the icons - the pieces of design history. For poufs, this generally means that they partner with a world-famous chair to form an iconic coordinating duo. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s 1929 masterpiece the Barcelona Stool is an imprint of his celebrated Barcelona Chair, with the same individually sewn leather squares and flowing metal frame, and The 1956 Eames Lounge Chair comes complete with The Eames Ottoman, both crafted from the same timber and leather and filled with down. Michel Ducaroy’s Togo Footstool is a beloved complementary partner to his iconic 1973 Togo Sofa and the modern-day legend that is GamFratesi's 2013 Beetle Chair comes hand in hand with its insect-like Beetle Ottoman.
Feat of comfort
Feat of comfort
Naturally there are standalone offerings that are designed to make a statement rather than team up with existing pieces, which is where things get even more creative and interesting. From Porada’s cheerily-named Smile Pouf encircled by its almost-hovering timber halo, to the interchangeable woven patterns and colours of Gan’s Reversible poufs, and the orange metal frame that lifts Cor’s chunky Drop Pouf from the ground, to the hand-crafted intricate cord weave of Flexform's Tindari Footstool – while they may be a compact, subtle luxury, each of our designer poufs is bursting with personality as well as a joyfully flexible approach to life in the living room.
AT1D Footstool by &Tradition
Pouf by Fritz Hansen
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you" - Anne Lammott
Ottoman by Ligne Roset
Bangkok Ottoman by Flexform
Life outdoors doesn't need much to feel spectacular. But if it’s an ethereal Eden you’re after, then a little lighting can go a long way. From portable solar lanterns through to thoughtfully-placed wall lights, our selection of outdoor lighting solutions will help extend your soirées into the small hours. Delve into our favourites, here…
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