Dress Your Chair Removable Upholstery

Press Kit

Unique Properties

What is the reason for throwing away a chair? The style does not fit in the room anymore? Or the upholstery is broken? The idea of the Dress Your Chair project is to design a series of upholstery works for a single common chair, like the IKEA ADDE Chair, which is accessible and easy to assemble. The upholstery can be put on and taken off as easily as apparel for humans. During the process of changing apparel for our furniture, we build closer relationships with the things we already have.

Dimensions & Packaging

Dimension for ADDE frame: Width 390 mm x Depth 470 mm x Height 772 mm

Tags

Upholstery work, furniture upholstery, dress for furniture, removable upholstery, cushion

Production Technology

This upholstery series includes a set of foam undergarments and three coverings.
For undergarment production, laser cut the foam first, cover with batting with the same shape, then put the foam into sewed fabric then hemming.

Once the foam is developed, it is applied to the chair as the model for pattern making. The muslin is draped from here to get the measurement for the final pattern for all apparel designs. Then the fabrics are cut according to the pattern.

Design Challenge

Challenges mainly come from the structures and patterns of apparel.

Project Duration

The project started in December 2019 in Providence and finished in December 2020 in Providence.

Operation Flow

The Dress Your Chair upholstery series includes one set of foam undergarments with various densities and three sets of apparel inspired by three different seasons: spring dress, autumn jumpsuit, and winter Teddy coat. Undergarments are mainly made up of foam, providing enough support and comfort for an enjoyable seating experience. The Jumpsuit and the Teddy coat have invisible zippers around the seat, while the dress slides on and off. They are easy to change, wash, and ship.

Research

The research was focused on three parts: style, structure, and pattern. Research on fashion apparel and study how fashion styling applies to furniture upholstery design. Test on different undergarments and apparel structures, and find the best form that provides the easiest way to put on and take off. Various methods of pattern making are used during the process.

Inspiration

Inspired by the fashion industry seasons, the Dress Your Chair upholstery series includes three seasonal clothes for the IKEA ADDE chair. The spring dress is inspired by blooming flowers in spring. This piece adds a romantic feeling to the chair and space. For the autumn jumpsuit, with the classic houndstooth pattern fabric, the suit gives the chair and space an elegant formal look. For winter, the Teddy coat designed for the chair provides a cozy and comfortable seating experience.

Image Credits

Image #1 : Photographer Yumeng Gai, Dress your Chair, 2020. Image #2 : Photographer Yumeng Gai, Dress your Chair, 2020. Image #3 : Photographer Yumeng Gai, Dress your Chair, 2020. Image #4 : Photographer Yumeng Gai, Dress your Chair, 2020. Image #5 : Photographer Yumeng Gai, Dress your Chair, 2020.
Video #1 : Creator Yumeng Gai, Dress your Chair, 2020.

Colors of Dress Your Chair Removable Upholstery