The Odd Chair Company

A spring might look like a rather simple part of a chair, but its the size and tension that makes a considerable difference to how the finished piece feels.

Different springs can be selected and positioned depending on the level of support required. A firmer seat may need a different approach to one designed to feel softer and more relaxed.

It’s one of the ways comfort can be considered from the very beginning of the upholstery process, rather than simply added at the end.

And because every piece, and every client, can be different, understanding how these small components work together allows us to adjust the feel of a piece accordingly.

Comfort isn’t simply soft or firm. It’s about getting the balance right.

Over 250 years of history, ready for its next chapter.

Dating to c.1740–60 and sourced directly from the Kinross Estate, this exceptional pair of walnut throne chairs are rich in character and exquisitely hand-carved.

Now reupholstered in a natural linen, the simplicity of the fabric allows the beautifully aged walnut, intricate carving and time worn patina to take centre stage.

More than two and a half centuries later, they remain every bit as striking.

This remarkable pair is now available through The Odd Chair Company. Get in touch to enquire.

The Minet Chair. A distinctive silhouette with a story behind it.

Inspired by an antique chair discovered at a Parisian flea market over 30 years ago, the Minet was reimagined in collaboration with interior designer Lorren Lozano Jolas.

Handcrafted to order in our Lancashire workshop, and made to take on an entirely different character with every choice of fabric and finish.

Beautifully Made. Exceptionally Comfortable.

Deep sofas look comfortable. But are they?

Over the years, sofas have become increasingly generous in depth, reflecting the way we use them today. We curl up, put our feet up, read, watch films and spend rather more time lounging than simply sitting.

But deeper doesn’t necessarily mean more comfortable.

Seat depth is only one part of the equation. The angle of the back, the thickness of the cushions, the construction of the seat and, importantly, your own proportions all affect how a sofa actually feels.

A generous depth can be wonderful for lounging, but less so if you prefer to sit upright, particularly if your feet no longer reach the floor without a collection of cushions behind you.

And then there’s the room itself. A few extra centimetres can make a surprising difference to the way furniture sits within a space.

There is no perfect sofa depth.

The right one is simply the one that suits how you sit, how you live and the room it belongs in.

Why is furniture made to be thrown away?

A worn fabric doesn’t mean a chair has reached the end of its life. Nor does a tired finish, a change of interior, or simply the passing of time.

If the foundations are right, good furniture can evolve.

A well-made timber frame can be reupholstered. A finish can be refreshed. A favourite chair can be dressed in an entirely different fabric and find its place in a new room or even a new generation.

That is why longevity begins long before a piece shows any signs of age. It begins with how it was designed and constructed in the first place.

Perhaps the question we should be asking when buying furniture isn’t simply, “Do I love it now?”

But also, “Is it well enough made to have a future?”

Because furniture doesn’t need to remain exactly as it was when you bought it.

It simply needs to be worth keeping.

It’s easy to associate comfort with softness , the deeper the cushioning, the more comfortable the chair. In reality, there’s rather more going on beneath the fabric.

Comfort begins with proportion: the height and depth of the seat, the angle of the back and where the arms naturally sit. Then comes the construction beneath it, the webbing, springing and upholstery layers that determine how the seat supports you and responds as you move.

Of course, fillings matter too. But more cushioning doesn’t necessarily mean more comfort. A seat can feel wonderfully soft for the first few minutes and considerably less so an hour later.

What matters is balance: enough give to feel inviting, enough support to remain comfortable, and proportions that suit the way the chair is intended to be used.

It’s why we consider comfort from the frame upwards, rather than simply adding softness at the end.

After all, a beautiful chair is all very well, but you want to sit in it too!

Beautifully made, Exceptionally comfortable.