Our passion for design can lead us to choose the fabulous over the friendly, and, while nothing can compete with a midcentury Danish chair or a classic Eames lounger, there is room in our homes for more anonymous but no less appealing pieces. Think friendly items of furniture — tables, chairs, dressers and more — that have been handed down through the family, picked up at a thrift store or purchased new. They may have been repainted or reupholstered time and again, through a lifetime of love and use. Comfort is key, and sociability is central — make friends with these easygoing treasures.
Tables are often large-scale pieces and can dominate a space, but while a strong-lined modern design will often stand out, a wooden farmhouse table will always fit in, looking warm and inviting. Flank it with a mix of design-classic chairs in lucite for a fantastic, up-to-date look.
See more farmhouse tables
A simple chest of drawers in stripped wood with traditional brass drawer knobs is a friendly addition to any bedroom. Here one doubles as a bedside table, complete with a lamp, a candle and fresh flowers.
The chesterfield, with its rounded arms and buttoned upholstery, is a timeless sofa design that puts everyone at ease. Often covered in leather, a chesterfield can take on a softer, less gentlemen’s-club look when upholstered in a pale cotton or rich velvet instead.
Trend Alert: The Modern Chesterfield Sofa
This piece of freestanding kitchen storage has found new popularity in many countries, gracing the kitchens of many a cottage and farmhouse. In this home, though, it’s obvious how a much-loved hutch can find a place in more contemporary settings too. Painted a bold shade and sitting in a neutral modern scheme, it looks right at home.
Smart Storage: Make the Most of Your Hutch
No evening on the sofa is complete without a sizable footstool on which to rest tired feet. This classic buttoned design has a contemporary twist, thanks to blue upholstery.
A traditional iron bed frame manages to look both romantic and comforting at the same time. This style of bed has been soothing us to sleep for generations and, when finished in white, as here, will not compete with other design elements in the room.
A home to everything from napkins to board games, and with space on top for displaying favorite objects, a sideboard is an indispensable and much-cherished addition to a dining room or living space. While midcentury designs look streamlined and sleek, a vintage version with chunkier lines will have a more friendly feel. Upcycling an old sideboard with a coat of soft gray paint can quickly transform it, turning this hardworking piece into a family heirloom.
Buffet, Sideboard, Server, Credenza — What’s the Difference?
What could be more friendly than a double sink so you can wash hands or clean teeth alongside a family member? Search for a reclaimed marble-topped piece like this, or take inspiration and mount two basins and classic brass faucets in an old table for a vintage, friendly feel.
A Furniture Look for Your Bathroom Vanity
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Once the classic choice for a gentlemen’s club, and often enhanced with a velvet-covered cushion, leather armchairs have been soothing our cares away for centuries. Find a vintage piece online or buy a newly made classic. The leather will wear beautifully, taking on a rich patina and becoming softer every time you sit.
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