Interior Trend: SPOOL/BOBBIN FURNITURE

Lately I am seeing a unique and unusual style of furniture showing up in model homes, showrooms, and online. Designers are more frequently using as an interior accent the spool chair, also known as a bobbin chair. Designers are pulling inspiration from history and bringing texture (mix of the hard wood frame and soft uphostered cushions) and pattern (the dowel curves and stacked balls that are unique to this design) to add interest and intrique in a rather successful way.

So, what exactly am I talking about? Spool furniture is composed of repeated bulbous turnings that suggests rows of spools or bobbins. It first appeared in early North European pieces in the mid-17th century and was made in both Europe and in America. One such famous piece from that period is known as a Cromwellian chair named after Thomas Cromwell.

"Spindle, spool, bobbin… Whatever you call these fabulous chairs, originally conceived a few hundred years ago, we love that designers are putting their contemporary spin on this old favorite. In spots where a club chair is too solid but a french chair is too formal and a plain wooden frame seems a little ordinary, a spindle chair is a breath of fresh air." - Design Chic

"Meet the newest in turned-wood furniture. Furnituremakers are spinning updated versions of chunky bun feet and weighty bobbin frames into shapely superstars with the latest in facelifts that include painted, whitewashed, and lacquered finishes. Known for repetitive patterns that create carved rhythms of long and short beats, turned furniture now features a variety of curves and twists -- disks stacked like rolls of quarters, ovals strung like beads of a rosary, or spirals that coil like a playground slide. " - Traditonal Home

"The unique design of the Bobbin Chair is ENHANCED by its supreme comfort as an accent chair or additional seating. Influenced by the classic 17th-century style of wood turning, the Bobbin Chair combines antique appeal with a modern aesthetic." - FRONTAGE

"This stylish design of chair was featured in just about every showroom at the most recent 2015 High Point Market. Clearly, the spool chair is a popular choice in interior design right now, and the classic good looks of this piece may be why. This popular style of chair would be right at home in many different styles of decor." - Panoply

"The Spool chair with its timeless classic features provides the perfect framework to showcase traditional or modern upholstery choices. Its exposed back frame offers a look as beautiful from behind as it is from the front. Topped with comfortable plush cushions, it will be the chair of choice in your home. The ornate turned feet are set on stylish casters allowing the it to be easily moved." - Erin Pruitt

"If like me, you are of a certain age, I’m sure you remember the famous Jenny Lind bed or crib. Named after a famous Swedish opera singer, many homes in America had one." - Colleen Lora

Jenny Lind cribs and beds are a classic in children's rooms (even modern ones). Jenny Lind is often mistaken to be a company or a brand, but it's neither. It's simply a style of furniture distinguished by turned spindle (bobbin/spool) posts. So, just who was Jenny Lind and why is our furniture still named after her? She was a famous Swedish opera singer. After taking Europe by storm sailed to New York in 1850 where she was greeted by a crowd of over 40,000 admirers. Under the management of P.T. Barnum she toured across America giving over 90 concerts and was a sensation everywhere she went. Many things were named after her during her lifetime including a clipper ship The Nightingale, the Jenny Lind Polka, parks, streets and even a Gold Rush era California town. Cottage-style spindled furniture bore her name after she reportedly slept in a bed with turned spindle posts. The name stuck and so has this style of furniture.

"Thia style continues to be sought-after for its striking, simple silhouette and versatility. Stained pieces evoke an old-fashioned air that is fitting in traditional settings while painted pieces, especially bright hues, assume a more modern spirit." - Design Salad

"I loooove spool chairs. They're deceivingly comfortable and just have this relaxed & carefree vibe. You'd never see them in a stuffy room. My clients grew up together in the Northeast and we wanted to bring that feeling of 'home' into their new house, which is here in the DC area, so I proposed a pair of spool chairs. I was thrilled when my client loved the chairs too." - Lauren Leiss

Back in the April 2008 issue of House Beautiful, Martha Stewart selected her rescent addition to her furniture line, the Kendall Bobbin Chair, as her current favorite piece.

"My wishlist item are the spindle (or spool, or bobbin) chairs. These sturdy chairs are traditional, but add an element of interest to a room with their textured arms and legs, and can become even more fun with custom upholstered cushions." - Emelie/Shell & Chinoiserie