Ottoman and Co.

 

 

It is a footstool. It is a chair. It is a table. One piece has many faces. Versatile, easy-going -  ottomans (along with poufs and cubes) do their job without fussing. To me they are the unsung heroes of any functional room. 

 

The ottoman was brought to Europe from the Ottoman Empire in the late 18-th century. The word "ottomane" to refer to furniture appeared at least as early as 1729 in French. In the Ottoman Empire inself, an ottoman was the central piece of family seating and was piled with cushions. In Europe, the ottoman was first designed as a piece of fitted furniture that wrapped around three walls of a room. Later, the ottoman evolved into a smaller version that fit into the corner of a room.

In the 19-th century ottomans' shape became circular or octagonal, with seating divided in the center by arms. 

Since that time we have been using ottomans in our homes, in hotels, department stores, etc. etc.Here are a few examples from top interior designers on how and where to use ottomans  most effectively.

This is a classic example of ottomans being used in a living room for extra seating. Use when and where you need them. With two additional chairs, the room would be too crowded, but using ottomans opens the space  up while creating two more seats.

 

Here ottoman is used successfully instead of a desk chair as well as an additional surface for storage. Pretty and functional solution. Notice how the ottoman has its own right in terms of fabric and style.   

 

Of course, an ottoman is always welcome in the bathroom for stylish seating. The curves of this little baby are so delicate and feminine!

 

What a clever solution to use ottomans around a table that is used on occasion. They are out of the way when you don't need them, and provide stylish seating when guests arrive. 

 

I love the idea of a mismatched chair-ottoman pair.  It adds an unexpected and playful touch to the whole room. The ottoman's neutral color coordinates very well with every upholstered piece in the room, so it will look great placed either by the chair or by the day bed. And of course it can be used not only to rest your tired feet, but for additional seating as well.  

(Photos of rooms designed by Sarah Richardson, Bunny Williams and Phoebe Howard.)