FALL 2012 HIGH POINT MARKET ROUND UP: 15 SMALL OTTOMANS WITH BIG APPEAL

Whether it has an x-base or is fully upholstered, small benches and ottomans are a great addition to the end of a bed or in seating arrangements. Providing an extra perch or a place for a bag or throw, they serve a smart dual function role. Small pieces were aplenty at High Point Market, and here is a round up of some favorite pairs for bunching  and to use stand-alone pieces.

A pair of white Consulate x-base benches in turquoise upholstery at Century Furniture.

Slatted x-base Rockwell benches at Century that feel very Spanish in derivation.

Century's upholstered Canter Ottoman with nail head trim and tapered leg.

A diminutive low footstool at Hickory Chair.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard from Sherrill has these cut corner upholstered benches with cushioned tops and storage inside. All I could think of is that they would make the best dog beds for a pair of dogs.

Wesley Hall had an upholstered pair of curved ottomans, version 75, with skirted base.

Bernhardt's wooden base bench with leather top is very French 40s.

 Resembling highly coveted vintage finds, Drexel Heritage had the Eve Ottomans. Tufted, upholstered stunners with an arched leg merge the best of old and new. 

Thibault Furniture's Preston Ottoman with a cushion top and bamboo ridged white leg are perfect for country and coastal settings.

Ralph Lauren Home's classic x-benches with tight seat and nailheads in a blue fabric.

A pair of 69W Parsons-style upholstered and tufted x-benches from Wesley Hall have got it going on with contrast trim.

Upholstered in a graphic geometric fabric with orange trim.

Mr. Brown debuted a quatrefoil tufted ottoman with contrast trim on bobbin legs and casters that sits next to an upholstered clean-lined one with button tufting, both in natural linen.

Studio A had a metal bench with an x-base and dog head finials called The Bow Wow Bench.

 In a zippy red, Arteriors x-base upholstered Tennyson Bench with nail head border is a plush option.

CURVES AHEAD! 20 STYLISH CHAIRS FROM HIGH POINT

Sweeping lines and curvilinear details  are helping to redefine the side chair. Working with positive and negative space, silhouettes are becoming more important. Often referred to as "personality pieces," these chairs provide an interesting place to perch that adds exciting detail to a room scheme. Curves lead your eye around a piece, allowing the attributes of the chair become the star. As always, comfort is key, so curvy must provide the addition of personality as well as the invitation to stay awhile. Here are the High Point Market finds that bring sexy back.

A new dining chair from Drexel Heritage has tailored tufting on it's curvacious back.  Clean lines and comfort converge.

Taking the wing chair and adapting it, this Drexel Heritage chair with a lower back still envelops the sitter.

Century had fun with a cut-out wood framed back here, calling upon classic Chinoiserie fretwork details for  a geometric element. Their Chin Hua collection was one of the high points at market.

Like an early American antique modernized in metal, Zentique fuses Klismos with classic. You may want too add a cushion to the burlap seat.

Bringing the arms of the classic Klismos chair around for a wider embrace, this Noir perch would make for  a great desk chair in a study.

I love this  Chinese chair from Century with it's low profile and crisp white finish, it looks fresh and exciting even though the inspiration is centuries old.

Phoebe and Jim Howard's foray into furniture was big this past market with their new launch, Mr. and Mrs. Howard for Sherrill Furniture. A neo wing chair they did with Sherrill has a low roll arm and curvy yet less wrapped sides.

Another Klismos! Hey, if it's been around this long, you know the silhouette works. What is nice about this chair is it has a low back so it works pulled up to a dining table or along the walls when not in use. An upholstered seat and back make it comfortable.

With a back that follows the curves of a wooden Chippendale chair, this version from Mrs. Howard for Sherrill is upholstered, again, for cozy purposes. A carved wooden leg has just enough decorative detail.

Bunny Williams' Beeline Home just came out with a curvy-backed tufted and upholstered side chair too, and the scale of it is just perfect. Not to mention the raspberry linen upholstery and white frame! Sold!

A great chair for a living room seating arrangement, Lee's upholstered armchair with tight back and lose seat is reminiscent of a classic French bergere with a comfortable pitch.

A straight back and cut corners on Lexington Home Brand's wood framed chair with tight back and lose seat is another winner. The back cuts in and the seat has a barrel shape that supports a nice, thick cushion.

Mixing highly polished wood, chrome and leather, Lexington Home Brands new side chair has deco sensibilities with Mad Men-allure.

Geometric cut-outs form octagonal and square patterns on the back of Palacek's white bamboo chair. Florida residents, you need these for your game tables!

I have a thing for upholstered legs. Michelle Nussbaumer did them so well in her Greystone Maison de Luxe Showhouse chairs, and here they are again. They provide an unbroken line that does not detract from the form. A softly sloping back give this chair from Hickory Chair just the right amount of detail and the padded arm is just wide enough. 

If you are channeling great vintage finds, and who isn't these days, then you too will find this modified woven wicker Peacock chair from Palacek amazing.   

Upholstered with cut out arms, Gabby's vintage-inspired chair can transition from a desk to a seating area in no time.  If you are working with a small space, this is the multi tasker for you.

This chair just has so much to add to the conversation with personality plus. Shrinking the wing chair down using its best attributes, Julian Chichester added tufting and nail head trim along with a tapered bobbin leg to make it fun fun fun.

Turning the settee silhouette on its head, Mr. Brown just launched a sexy, tailored high - backed piece with arms that rise out of the seat. 

Low and lean with a tight seat and back, this Mr. Brown wing chair is a little bit Jetsons, a little bit Brit bad boy. All curves, it borrows the tapered wood leg from mid century while being distinctly of this day and age.

PETAL PUSHERS: THE QUATREFOIL

The quatrefoil and trefoil motif appeared a few seasons back and achieved bigtime status when it graced the back of Suzanne Kasler's Alexandra chair for Hickory Chair. This High Point market, the ornamental petal design reached critical mass, and was seen on side tables and mirrors. The easy to use familiar design accent is a welcome addition to the nature-inspired landscape.

With a pinched edge and curved leg, a new matte brass quatrefoil side table from Mr. Brown has character

Century Furniture's Tilden Drinks Table in a cerused oak finish with a triangle stretcher at the bottom makes a practical side table

The Harper Side Table from Noir in Elm has enough surface area for a book, glass and your ipad

A jazzy version with a red leather top and gilded trim and black tapered leg from Lexington Home Brands

Looking for a spot to put your feet up? This is the place! Gabby Home just introduced this tufted quatrefoil with metal base