No Need Ever to Get Up

A chair should be functional, inviting and comfortable. But it can also be a work of art. At the latest Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka unveiled for Moroso his simple yet stunning Bouquet chair, which "blooms" on a slim chrome stem with "petals" made of individually sewn fabric squares (prices not set yet; moroso.it).

Or try a seat in the Fantasy Fantasy chair by New Zealander designer Phil Cuttance. It's a bit like being transported into a world of mythical creatures and fantastical human forms. The large, boxy piece is covered with fabric illustrated by artist Jared Kahi, who created the images using an inkjet textile printer ($1,590; philcuttance.com).

The Lathe Chair V by Sebastian Brajkovic features a hand-embroidered, rainbow-shaped backrest, which gives the impression of a chair in motion, on the verge of tipping over ($29,160; cwgdesign .com). It's best to take it sitting down, especially at that price.

© 2008