The original influencer, Martha Stewart, is the most powerful figure associated with the modern American home, but some of her pieces have roots back in the 1600s.
I've spent hundreds of hours browsing Martha Stewart's collections over the years, and am consistently impressed by her accent chairs. They often feature neutral upholstery, lending a classic aesthetic that brings Martha's traditional charm to even the smallest living spaces, and are always crafted from high-quality wood to ensure longevity.
However, the Martha Stewart Philippe Accent Chair (available at Wayfair) is the first piece to truly stop my scrolling. The secret? Its spool design, which unlike any other from her collection.
Spool furniture (also known as bobbin) emerged in the 17th century, and is a type of timeless, baroque-style furniture that instantly elevates a room. Its name comes from having legs and other parts that are lathe-turned into ornamental shapes, as Martha's chair demonstrates perfectly.
Spools' intricate shapes can elevate interiors from ordinary to extraordinary, allowing for a great deal of playfulness. Like many spool pieces, that accent chair is a lightweight, standalone piece, but it's also the pefect base for accessorizing. Better yet, it's currently reduced for Way Day, but this deal won't last long.
Inspired by Martha's Lily Pond estate, this accent chair embodies both sophistication and practicality. It features a solid wood frame, plush upholstery, and exquisite turned-wood front legs for a spool-style aesthetic. It comes with a lumbar pillow, ensuring it remains comfortable for extended periods. It's the new reading chair you didn't realize you needed.
The spool detailing on this chair makes a statement in its own right, but it's also the perfect canvas for other textured accessories. To make it simpler, we spoke to Sophie Gammon, an interior designer at OKA, who says you need to consider the entire room surrounding the furnishing.
'Taking inspiration from the rest of the room where your accent chair will sit can help to inform your upholstery and styling decisions,' she says.
'Consider what's going to be sitting next to your armchair, what else is in the space, and what materials there are. Don’t feel you need to match with other colours and patterns in the room; an accent chair or reading nook is a great opportunity to add character by layering fabrics and materials to give richness to the space.'
Similarly, Sophie adds that it's wise to consider the scales of other patterns in the room. 'If they’re larger scale, I’d suggest considering a smaller-scale print for styling your armchair,' she says.
If you love the idea of introducing a Martha Stewart-designed chair to your home, but you don't love the spool piece as much as I (I understand, it's not for everyone), then fear not. Wayfair has reduced some more of our favorite Martha-designed pieces for this weekend. You can shop some Homes & Gardens-approved favorites below.
The rattan armchair features an upholstered attached seat and back cushion in an elegant striped print. Its '60s-inspired rattan body perfectly complements the coastal-inspired upholstery, making it the perfect addition to any Hamptons-style living room.
With its charming silhouette, this beige armchair is as stylish as it is functional. It has an upholstered seat and back in jacquard natural hemp fabric, accompanied by a removable back cushion, providing both style and comfort.
This stunning chair is upholstered in a light, neutral fabric, and features a low back and flared arms, making it a perfect silhouette for small living rooms.
