A little bit of fun and escapism in our environments is always a welcome addition, a functional item with the essence of another era, a touch of glamor and a hint of luxury, can make us smile from day to day.
Nathalie Claire-Lima was born and raised in France and will always have a place in her heart for the style and historical designs of her childhood milieu. Her fascination with chairs began at an early age, viewing them as characters, each with their own individual personalities.
An entrepreneurial spirit and the onset of covid in 2020 motivated Nathalie to rediscover her creativity. After signing up for an online upholstery course, she completely reworked and reupholstered a chair she already owned, and this became the catalyst for a whole new business.
Sassy Chairs are reminiscent of those found at enchanted tea parties, in Victorian gardens and elegant parlors, fashioned with sublime velvets, colorful chintz and opulent damasks, trimmed with pom poms, finely corded edges, detailed braids and profusions of 3d flowers, turning what once was tired and worn into some very chic chairs indeed.
Nathalie designs from her Magnolia workshop and has a long list of clients from near and far. Working on commissions, as well as on her own collection of “found and needy chairs”, her process involves getting to know the chair and feel its personality. “I sit with my chairs and feel their story, and how they want to be beautiful again”, she tells me. Buying chairs with good bones from auction houses, and sourcing distinctive fabrics from around the globe, she marries the two together for her bespoke designs. Recent finds include hand embroidered fabric from Mexico, hand loomed fabric from Greece, where she met with the elderly weaver, and an array of fabrics from England, France and Turkey.
Nathalie has an extensive collection of one-off designs in her Sassy Chairs Etsy store. These include glamorous chairs designed specifically for weddings, perfect for photographs, and can later be situated in the newlywed’s home as a meaningful souvenir of their big day, these elegant pieces work well for quinceaneras too. Other significant chairs include two in the style of Louis XVI, boasting upholstered panels starring creative images of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, iconic design meets iconic women, popping bubblegum for a modern twist!
Nathalie is currently working on a series of 12 dining chairs, a matching set, however, each chair has its own unique foible, retaining an individual personality. “I love the process of working with clients and the collaboration of our ideas,” says Nathalie, she talks about the joy of revamping inherited chairs into something exclusive, quirky, and once again, loved.
As well as being available via Etsy, Sassy Chairs can occasionally be found at local vintage and artisan fairs, Nathalie will be present at the upcoming “Shop ‘til You Drop” Marketplace at The Berry Center, of Northwest Houston on September 9th.
www.etsy.com/sassychairs
