Design 101 - The History of the Chaise Lounge

François Halard, Photographer

As our weeklong devotion to the chaise lounge continues we called upon one of favorite designers, James Casey of Steve&James® for his thoughts on the allure of the chaise.

Chaise Longue when translated from French literally means “Long Chair”. It’s been so popularly mistranslated in America as Chaise Lounge that this has now become an accepted substitute. We can also find similar pieces called daybeds, loungers, recliners, and my personal favorite: the “Chase”, which incidentally doesn’t sound relaxing at all.

Some of the earliest versions of the chaise lounge were found in relics from ancient cultures. Egyptian paintings show pharaohs in full regalia reclining while half naked servants would carry them through the desert. Assyrian kings kicking back surrounded by servants waiting at their side with food and drinks. Gorgeous Greek, Roman, and Etruscan rulers all very similarly relaxing as servants flocked to bring them wine, play  music, and offer gifts of song birds, jewels, and other fine rarities.

Egyptian

Roman

Etruscan

Mad Men Fainting Couch19th Century Victorian nobility used to have as a staple at the top of any flight of stairs a piece known as a “Fainting Couch”. Fashion being perhaps even more cruel than now, most women at the time would not leave the bedroom without first squeezing themselves into a corset. So tight were these corsets that the restricted flow of blood would often cause the wearer to collapse at the top of the staircase and into the safe haven of the waiting Fainting Couch.

Victorian Corsets

Victorian Era Thonet Chaise Lounge

Fortunately chaises longue are no longer the exclusive domain of the rich and powerful, and it seems are mostly found without servants, but for me they are still undoubtedly a symbol of glamour and decadence. A chaise longue in any room or garden makes everything around it feel more glamorous. To spend an afternoon basking in the sun with your feet up, sipping a cocktail and reading a good book (or some trash mag for that matter) is pretty high on most peoples list of how to live “the good life”.

Read more about Guest Blogger James Casey.

Photo Resources
François Halard
Design Boom
AMC's Mad Men
Wikimedia
1stDibs