Colby Lounge Chair

The Colby chair is a whimsical, playful lounge chair designed to ignite joy and creativity in both children and adults. Inspired by shapes that echo the human form, its soft, rounded, elliptical design invites users to explore various seating positions and engage in imaginative play. Vibrant Alcantara fabric coverings – available in solid or striped applications – enhance its personality, making the chair a versatile piece for both residential and commercial spaces.

The concept originated from a chair prototype with dual elliptical forms, initially built for my son, Colby. I later reimagined it as a lounge chair that addresses children’s need for playful furniture while meeting parents’ expectations for durability. The human-form-inspired geometry encourages multiple seating positions, transforming the piece into an interactive element of play.

The structural legs feature precision-bent aluminum with multi-directional curves, creating a wider front stance than rear. This non-parallel configuration serves both aesthetic and structural purposes, eliminating the need for cross-bracing to prevent racking. Custom fasteners overcome geometric constraints using minimal set screws, discreetly hidden beneath the leg bosses. High-performance Alcantara microfiber covers foam cores that are engineered to withstand the dynamic loading conditions typical of active play environments.

Children instinctively explore different seating positions and often use the sturdy aluminum legs as climbing aids, turning the chair into a piece of playground equipment. The elliptical cushions comfortably cradle the body in any posture while enduring climbing, bouncing, and play.

Through iterative prototyping and real-world testing, the design proves that furniture can serve dual functions – as a comfortable seat and as play equipment – potentially shifting the family furniture market toward more interactive and multifunctional designs.