Sarah Richardson has gorgeous legs. Not that there's anything wrong with the graceful sweep of her back or the elegant line of her arms, either.
In fact, the acclaimed interior designer's entire furniture line -- that is what we're talking about, after all -- is what she calls "human-scaled," to fit with the trend toward more minimalist living spaces.
"The design vision, the idea behind it, is to create human-scaled, proportionate pieces," she says of the collection. "That's long been a challenge because what you see might look fantastic in a showroom with 18-foot ceilings.
"But placed in your living room to not-so-great effect, it can be a very disappointing purchase," says the feisty and diminutive powerhouse behind HGTV's Sarah 101, Sarah's House, Sarah's Cottage and her Richardson Design company.
"Most of the pieces in the collection have a tailored line to them. They're streamlined and sleek. But they also tend to be in the right proportions to fit into smaller homes and condos."
Not surprisingly, her latest venture was born out of her elegant yet accessible style not quite meshing with the "boxy, flat and boring" furniture found in stores.
Rather than compromise -- or worse still -- revise her vision, she did what Sarah Richardson does best: "Basically, I couldn't find what I wanted. So I sketched it out and had it made."
Then, in a classic vertical business move for which she is renowned, she thought, "Gosh! There is a need here. So I started designing furniture."
The result is a collection of understated and graceful chairs, sofas, tables and ottomans that blend perfectly with the Richardson brand. Influenced by the lean sensibilities of furniture from the '50s, the collection is a study in vintage-meets-vision. Chairs reflect a classical eye, with graceful lines in the sweep of the back, the curve of a leg and rolled arms.
It's a design ethic at odds with what she deems the characterless furniture churned out en masse, like the oversized, dramatic statement pieces dominating living rooms for the past few years.
"I find there is no levity to that. There's no excitement, interest or whimsy," she says. "I want furniture to have soul. I see something in a store and ask who it's from. If it's from certain manufacturers, I know I will see it everywhere. In 12 months, I will literally hope I never see it again."
Nor does she have any patience for what she calls the "made-in-China express" that sees innovative designs ripped off in all areas from cogs to cars, quickly tooled and put into production overseas "before the designer has even made five cents off of it."
It's a lesson she's witnessed first-hand, through her younger brother Theo, one of three sought-after talents behind the New York-based team Rich, Brilliant, Willing -- a play on the designers' names, Theo Richardson, Charles Brill and Alexander Williams.
Named to the Top 40 designers by I.D. magazine in 2009, the trio is known for their innovative lighting and furniture, such as the "clinker" table, which is manufactured using the overlapping shiplap vertical-slat construction found in boats.
The glass-topped table, which appeared at the Milan Furniture Fair and New York's prestigious International Contemporary Furniture Fair, is supported by four longer slats that form the legs.
"It's totally original," says Richardson. "But sure enough, someone from my office recently showed me a photo of this table made in China.
"I mean, he's struggling to pay his rent and he's specializing in original, thought-provoking design and there are people who are ripping them off before he's made money on it. There's nothing wrong with appreciating someone else's good idea, but there's never an excuse to steal it."
Richardson normally eschews such modernist designs, but she does reflect modern sentiment in how she evolves vintage ideals by recasting the length of chair legs, the curve of the back and even the daring fabrics she chooses.
"One of my favourite things to do with the introduction of so many fantastic, boldly patterned, over-scaled graphic prints is to take a traditional-looking chair and reinterpret it with a bold pattern. I'm a real sucker for the way they look on a sculptural chair. A shapely line deserves to be draped in something exciting."
More importantly, she says, every piece has to be as welcoming as if it were in her own home.
"I don't want people to be thirsty, uncomfortable or cold when they come to my house. I want them to be relaxed, satiated. I believe in not letting anything be stuffy," she says.
"I'm always striving for a certain level of elegance without being fancy. I'm not a fancy person. But there's nothing wrong with personally looking your best or having that sense in your home."
Sarah Richardson's line of furniture can be found online at sarahrichardsondesign.com or at the Sarah Richardson Design Showroom, 155 George St., Toronto.
-- Postmedia News
SARAH'S BUYING TIPS
Buying furniture can be a major household expense, so it pays to be aware of some of the pitfalls, says interior designer Sarah Richardson.
Avoid giant rolled arms on sofas. You may love how the oversized arm chair or sofa looks in the big showroom, but it may not work in your compact home. "Some rolled arms can be 10 inches wide, which accounts for 20 inches of your sofa," she says. "Maximize the seat space and minimize the arm."
Don't get taken in by the fabric colour alone. Furniture that stands the test of time will have an interesting shape and details that keep your eye interested.
Check the quality. "Squeeze the arm of the sofa or chair and if you can feel sharp edges of wood underneath, imagine how quickly it'll wear at home," she says.
Avoid sofas with semi-attached cushions. Updating your space by using occasional pillows and a throw is easy enough, so avoid couches that don't allow it. "I prefer a tight back because I like decorative cushions," she explains. "If you have a tailored, tight back, you can add a feather or down pillow in a beautiful fabric."
Consider buying vintage. "You should be a curator of your life in what you use to decorate your home," she says, and vintage furniture or accessories can add that flair. Just beware: Only choose pieces that are in good shape and don't wobble. "Keep your eye on the final cost. Try not to spend too much if it also needs a bit of fixing up. It's not a deal if it ends up costing you more than a new piece," she adds.
