Wednesday, May 26, 2010

nap time..


the rain here in seattle is crazy.. we are so ready to wear flip flops and sun dresses..

i dream of taking a nap in the warm sunshine... and this is the PERFECT napping sofa... it will be at the store in very soon (i am chasing down the shipment now)
it is one of the very best pieces of wicker i have ever seen.
mint condition.
furniture maker is dryad (seal is on the back of the sofa)

In 1907 the firm of Dryad was founded in Leicester by Fletcher's close friend Harry Hardy Peach (18741936), with Fletcher as designer and Crampton one of the four workers. Dryad aimed at producing well-made, well-designed furniture that was light, comfortable and appropriate to modern living. Both Fletcher and Peach considered the rigid geometric shapes favoured by the Vienna Secession inappropriate to such a pliant material as cane. In the manner of certain German designs, Dryad pieces show a greater sensitivity to the material and reflect Arts and Crafts notions of honesty in materials. Furthermore, the originators of Dryad considered that harsh geometric forms did not ‘commend themselves to British notions of comfort or fit the homely reserve of English houses’. In Dryad furniture the comfort came mainly from the shaping of the basic form, which, when woven with the slightly springy cane, rendered virtually unnecessary the use of upholstery or cushions. In general, Fletcher's designs adapted the sense of movement found in Art Nouveau to the malleability of the cane, restricting the stylistic vocabulary of the Vienna Secession to detailing and an emphasis on the linear. Dryad was immensely successful, employing nearly 200 people by1914, by which date it was exporting its goods all over the world, including the British colonies and South America. It even broke into the massive American market, obtaining retail outlets in New York and Chicago.

i laid on it for about 20 minutes (without a cushion) and fell madly in love... i love the story behind it but when i find something that STOPS my heart... i buy it no matter what the story is.
can you imagine with a fluffy cushion and pillows?
it is 7 feet long... and very wide (not sure of this measurement but will have it shortly) it is pretty here but in person it is magnificent!

i have one week to decide if i am going to part with it... don't know if i can...


photo by john granen

10 comments:

A Perfect Gray said...

yes, it is in perfect shape, and I don't think I have ever seen one that long....

red ticking said...

it is actually almost 7 1/2 feet... 2 people can lay down on it... - so amazing... xx

Holly said...

i wouldn't! a perfect daybed!

24 Corners said...

It's beautiful...having another Anne of Green Gables moment....

red ticking said...

i must rent that movie... can you believe i have never seen the series? adding it to my netflix NOW!

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Love it, love it, love it !!
Such a beautiful piece that reminds me of the English Company. Lloyd Loom. They are an old established company that make wicker furniture.
I reckon you might just be keeping this piece. I can tell that you have fallen in love with it !!!! XXXX

Unknown said...

This is the longest on one I ever saw.:-) It would look perfect in a beatuful garden. Perfect place to daydream.:-)
Thank you so very much for the wonderful comment under my Chanel clogs post. I went a bit insane there for a bit, but back to normal happy self now waiting for my ticket to Paris instead. :-)))Have a beautiful weekend!

Jennifer said...

part with it right over to my back yard - I love it! It's not something you come by every day ....but then we can't keep everything we find can we? sigh...... Jennifer pop over jennsthreegraces

Privet and Holly said...

BRAVO for you! I'd have been afraid to haul that lovely home without being CERTAIN that it would work. Nice that you have a trial period! VERY interesting history behind the manufacturer, too. Happy Weekend!
xx P&H PS: I can't feel sorry for your weather 'cuz you are in SEATTLE, my dream city!!!

ticklishfromadistance said...

It is PERFECT!!!!!! Send it over. So long!