Modern Commercial Seating

Time and again furniture designers have drawn upon historical figures, events, and places to inspire them in their creations. Though I am not 100 percent certain, it could be very well be that designers Bryce and Kerry Moore were influenced by the idea of the joint sovereignty of King William II (known as William III in his other kingdoms) and Queen Mary II over England and Scotland in the late 17^th century for their William and Mary Boheme Café Chairs. (It might also be possible that they were inspired by an opera by Puccini, but let’s not go there. Let’s stick with the monarchic theme.)

These chairs don’t resemble any kind of luxuriously ornate seating designated for royalty. No, they are contemporary in appearance, making them suitable for use in commercial hospitality settings. Thank goodness for that. I don’t think luxuriously ornate thrones would make for good modern bar chairs or café chairs at all.

The William and Mary chairs showcase the warmth and intimacy that only wood can bring. As many have proclaimed over and over – both designers and consumers – wood is so beautiful to look at and also such a pleasure to build with. They are made of layered birch plywood and have hardwood accents and veneers on their outside profiles. You can choose from either the walnut or maple version, depending on which type of wood better suits the overall color and design scheme of your dining or hospitality establishment.

The chairs are manufactured by Context Furniture and measure 21.5 inches wide, 18 inches deep and 32 inches high. The seat height is 17.5 inches. The carving details on the legs and the way the rear ones flare out slightly add to these chairs’ distinctiveness. Whether used at home or in a café, they convey a stately elegance somehow that isn’t intimidating – a far cry from royal thrones, I would say.