- Design Inspo
Solving the mystery – what is a slipper chair?
Roxanne Robinson
The chairs found their way out of the strict ladies’ quarters by the 1950s thanks to famed interior designer Billy Baldwin. The decorator, a term he preferred, was famous for decorating the Kennedy White house along with First Lady – in name and taste – Jackie Kennedy. Additionally, other clients included Cole Porter, Greta Garbo, Barbara Hutton, and Diana Vreeland, among others. Ultimately, he was society’s designer of his time. Moreover, he was a member of high society himself, attending the famous Black and White Ball hosted by Truman Capote and finding himself on the international Best Dressed List in 1974.
Certainly, an even greater luxury for the slipper chair placement is inside a dressing room. The lucky few whose closets are big enough to accomodate dressing room seating can’t possibly live without these versatile chairs. To demonstrate, presuming your closet is big enough for a chair, it’s big enough for another person. The slipper chair allows them a place to sit while you peruse options or vice-versa. It also provides a visual respite when placed in the middle of the closet to differentiate the different aspects of the room such as hung clothing, shelves for accessories, and of course storage drawers.
Comfortable upholstered chairs are meant for a living room. But having armrests is not necessarily a requirement. Of course, similar to the bedroom where a reading nook is desired or the dressing room where space is the consideration, the living room can beg for one of these chairs. But moreover, they can serve as literal conversation pieces. Having no sides usually makes it easier to swivel these chairs around and allow for multiple channels of conversation while entertaining a group.
Similarly, an office or den is also a perfect place to situate a slipper chair. This armless accent chair is also highly practical. For instance, consider a set of slipper chairs in front of an office desk, particularly in a commercial setting. While the guests offered these seats may be comfortable, it’s generally not a seat to be taken and relaxed in for hours. Thus, the ease of getting in and out of the slipper chair; which can be done from the side, making it just as practical as it is pretty.
