The problem with armchairs

[The Stationmaster]

Once upon a time you knew exactly what you were getting when you bought an armchair - Parker Knoll meant one sort of quality and one from, say, the Co-op meant another.  But then in came the discount merchants with their big warehouses and we started seeing stuff sold on price instead of quality - whole new ball game.  And gradually, apart from the very expensive handbuilt stuff with its limited market, we began to see customer pressure to reduce prices so offshore manufacture entered the picture.  However as real incomes were hit and price pressure increased the manufacture was spread further and less expensive or 'unacceptable' materials began to appear.

 

Now for those who like to sit in their armchair as a place of relaxation what counts is the final quality of the seating but for others there is a strong interest in the detail and finishing and as quality dropped to keep prices down so this group got rather agitated and began to tell their tales of woe on the 'net.  The specialist armchair websites began to see increasing numbers of posts about dissatisfaction with either design or thh quality of the piping trim or criticism of the feet or legs or the material used to make castors.  

 

Meanwhile the old hand furniture makers retorted with cries of 'make your own' or - justifiably - you didn't want our stuff so you're only getting what you deserved.  Another group meanwhile started to model armchairs on computer screens and then found emerging technology allowed them to turn their designs into the real thing using 3-D printing.  This - they widely opined on the internet - would be the future and if people were dissatisfied with mass produced products they had the option of becoming armchair modellers which would not only save them money but could have other positive benefits.

 

When you think about it it's a good job that those folk making the marvellous developments in 3-D printing for model railways don't suggest that fellow modellers should take to armchair modelling;  I mean what on earth would armchair modellers find to say on the internet?

 

And me - I'm off to start 3-D printing of tin hats and armour plate, just in case somebody doesn't see my tongue firmly embedded in my cheek or that I'm sitting in an armchair at the 'puter desk;) 

[shortliner]

One of the problems then becomes that you need to hire a van to take it to an exhibition, because it won't fit in the car! 

 

Coat on - Gone!

[gwrrob]

I'm always too busy to find time to sit down especially in an armchair.I'd rather have a Sudan chair myself..

[RhBBob]

Ah well, he said bravely, we went to DFS (yes, that cheap furniture firm) many years ago and bought a 3-seater settee and a 2-seater settee from their special order range, made individually, leather seating and real wood, I think they call it.  Yes, they cost a total of £2,400 but it was worth it.  Furthermore they were my choice as I simply sat on the showroom sample and refused to move whilst SWMBO and the younger version of her viewed the entire DFS range.

 

The only drawback I can see is that they are (still) so comfortable that I am asleep in around ten minutes.......or is that now old age ?

 

At exhibitions, it is an IKEA stool, set to maximum height so that I neither sit nor stand, just lean at a comfortable angle - for about ten seconds...

 

Oh dear, I have gone off-thread...and made an exhibition of myself

[trisonic]

The specialist armchair websites began to see increasing numbers of posts about dissatisfaction with either design or thh quality of the piping trim or criticism of the feet or legs or the material used to make castors.  

You mean there are armchair, armchair critics?

Lordy, Pete.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

The armchair fixation of the typical UK collector of course does not help. Full ranges of the accompanying furniture required in larger quantity than armchairs for a properly balanced furnishing scheme are poorly developed as a result. One cannot expect the manufacturers to invest heavily in production of much beyond armchairs - and mainly large armchairs at that - when other pieces simply do not sell so well.

 

Naturally enough many of us look to continental manufacturers where it seems customers look to have comprehensive furnishing schemes with sofas, tables, dining chairs, stools, pouffes, divans, book cases, display cabinets, sideboards,  cupboards, wardrobes, beds, chest of drawers, bedside pedestals; and even exotica such as davenports, credenzas and welsh dressers. A much greater range of manufacturers cover all quality levels, some even retaining the old time three rail construction for that traditional feel, and offering from very small scale ro large outdoor use lines too.

 

Once experienced, it is almost painful to visit a clueless armchair focussed household. Trying to carve a joint, store one's clothing, get a good nights sleep, and so on with very little but armchairs in the way of furniture is tiresome. Yet those with this fixation appear unconcious of any deficiency...

[coachmann]

I watched the settee ads on TV and laughed because the backs finished at shoulder height and provided nil support for the old cranium. So I went out knowing exactly what I didn't want. We visited an old shop in Llandudno and the owner gave us the benefit of his 100 years in the business and bored us rigid.  We found the suite we wanted in another store....It was good looking and really comfy, and the shop sent a van to our house to test if a chair would pass through the doors into the living room. All passed muster after the removal of the stumpy 'legs' and the suite was ours. Two weeks later the shop closed....Ooops.

 

First of all we couldnt move it to vac the carpet....It was simply too heavy and it really takes up space. Within a few days my ribs were kiling me while sat in a chair and the settee was next to hopeless for sitting long-term offering little support. It has gotten worse and I think whistfully back to our old handbuilt Pennine Upholstery suite, which we had re-covered twice.

 

The words of the old man with his 100 years service ring in my ears now.... "You want a firm seat that will gradualy soften over the years, because if it starts soft it will become softer and not support your frame properly.........Result discomfort".

[RhBBob]

The words of the old man with his 100 years service ring in my ears now.... "You want a firm seat that will gradualy soften over the years, because if it starts soft it will become softer and not support your frame properly.........Result discomfort".

 

Are you absolutely sure he was talking about the armchair ?  My seat has not gone soft but in common with other fat blokes slightly overweight people, I have adequate padding everywhere except where I need it most.....    

[southern42]

Flat pack looks like the name of the game, today:

 

 

http://thetalentzone.co.uk/musictv/9658/flat-pack-furniture-task-on-the-apprentice-2013-resulted-in-sophie-lau-being-fired-after-foldo-triumphed-over-the-tidy-sidey/

[oldknotty]

I prefer the Lazy Boy range they live up to their name in every way I have three of them and can easily sleep in any one at any time . Cannot watch a movie whilst sut in one as i never see the end :-(

[Stubby47]

This is the latest inovation for blood doning... http://www.britishdesigninnovation.com/Media/183I3103_-19561_100.jpg

[edcayton]

The good thing about an armchair is that you can have  square axles to go with the square bushes.

 

Ed

[jamie92208]

The only problem I can see is that the reclining armchair tends to send us slightly older modellers to sleep to easily thus stopping us modelling more 'armchairs'.

 

Jamie

[DDolfelin]

We have a couple of 'recliners' too.

The main problem is that they come with matching footstools.

This means that one feels obliged to put foots on them.

Then the backs go backwards and one is looking either side of a nose at the TV.

Within minutes this induces lethargy.

 

At which point SWMBO offers a hot drink and a writhing scramble ensues to get out of the thing.

[Stubby47]

"SWMBO offers(!) a hot drink..."

 

In my case it's usually SWMBO requests ( translated as 'get me one now or else') a hot drink just after I've got comfortable.

[Clive Mortimore]

This is the latest inovation for blood doning... http://www.britishdesigninnovation.com/Media/183I3103_-19561_100.jpg

Slightly off topic, but wow wish we had these when I worked for the National Blood Service, look great for the donors.

 

Second thoughts, I wouldn't like humping 12 of these in and out of the lorry every day.......

[The Stationmaster]

"SWMBO offers(!) a hot drink..."

 

In my case it's usually SWMBO requests ( translated as 'get me one now or else') a hot drink just after I've got comfortable.

In this house there is code in use Mrs Stationmaster says ' a cup of tea would be nice' and if I'm daft enough to agree I'm duly 'asked' to make it.

[The Stationmaster]

Is this a bell code...  5-Y-X??  "Is line clear for a cup of ...?"  Where Y is the beverage and X the number of sugars??

That would be giving away too much but whatever it is often taken on under the Warning.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

This is the latest inovation for blood doning... http://www.britishdesigninnovation.com/Media/183I3103_-19561_100.jpg

Gold card user reaction: oh be joyful. Teams based in North London piloted the trials of the development versions and introduction of the production item illustrated in the link into service.  Now accumulated four extractions in this device, and - cough - the workforce generally are not too happy with it. Doesn't fit many smaller women that well, difficult to return to the upright position even with a fairly average size chap in it (my 85Kg tends to make it tough to move). If someone is going to stick a canula into you, it helps if she is in a good mood...

 

I liked the old flat beds much better. Only ever had one collapse completely as I hopped on. I liked the wooden roller too...

[Clive Mortimore]

Gold card user reaction: oh be joyful. Teams based in North London piloted the trials of the development versions and introduction of the production item illustrated in the link into service.  Now accumulated four extractions in this device, and - cough - the workforce generally are not too happy with it. Doesn't fit many smaller women that well, difficult to return to the upright position even with a fairly average size chap in it (my 85Kg tends to make it tough to move). If someone is going to stick a canula into you, it helps if she is in a good mood...

 

I liked the old flat beds much better. Only ever had one collapse completely as I hopped on. I liked the wooden roller too...

Or he is in a good mood........It was when you get to your 150th donor that day and he misquotes "Just an armfull"!!!!!!! Honest I did enjoy my 10 years with the blood service.

[Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71]

....Stressless recliners are the way to go....just a tad chilly when you wake up at 4am and the heating has been off for hours.

 

Dave