I love art furniture. I like pieces that make people stop and grin. But can you live with it day to day? I did. In my small apartment with a dog, a kid, and coffee cups that never sit still. Some pieces were pure joy. Some were… a lesson.
If you want the nitty-gritty list of hits and misses, you can read the full breakdown of what actually works at home.
Let me explain.
The Noguchi Coffee Table: My Long-Time Anchor
I bought a Noguchi coffee table three years ago. Black base. Thick glass top. Not a fake—mine is the Herman Miller version from 2008. I found it secondhand, and the guy helped me load it into my SUV. We used two yoga mats as padding. It worked, by the way.
Set-up was a breeze. The two wood pieces crisscross. Then the glass sits on top. No screws. The glass is heavy, so set it with a friend. The corners don’t poke, but I still bump my shin once a month. That’s on me.
How it lives:
- It makes the room feel like it can breathe. Airy.
- It does show smudges. I wipe it with a spritz of glass cleaner every other day.
- Game night? Cards slide like a dream.
- My kid used it as a race track for toy cars. No scratches yet, but I keep felt under anything hard.
- Tip: use museum gel under the glass. Keeps it from drifting if you bump it.
Would I buy it again? Yes. It’s art you can put your feet on. I still use coasters, though. I learned the hard way with a ring from a sweaty iced tea.
Faye Toogood Roly-Poly Chair: Fun, Low, And Kinda Bossy
A friend in Brooklyn lent me a Roly-Poly chair for a month. Mine was the molded version in a stone gray. No cushion.
It looks like a smile. Kids love it. My dog sat under it like it was a cave. It’s stable and not heavy. You can inch it around with one hand.
But it sits low. Like, real low. I’m 5'5" and my knees sat higher than my hips. Not great for long reads. Ten minutes? Cute. Forty-five? My back said no thanks. The shell scuffs a bit, but a magic eraser took most marks off. If you get one, spring for the seat pad. Without it, you feel the hard curve.
I still miss it, though. It’s pure joy in chair form. A little like a cartoon that grew up. Turns out I’m not alone; Elle’s deep dive into the sudden Roly-Poly buzz reads like a love letter to its playful curves.
Kartell Louis Ghost Chair: Clean Look, Fussy Finish
I used four of these for a dinner party. Clear polycarbonate. They stack, which is handy in a small place. People always go, “Whoa, where are the chairs?” and then they laugh. Magic trick.
But. They scratch. They also grab dust. Static is the reason. I wipe them with a damp microfiber cloth and that helps. They’re better as a side chair or desk chair where you don’t drag denim across them every day. If you have a cat, watch the claws. Mine tried once, and I blocked it with a throw.
Comfort? Fine for a meal. Not the chair for a long phone call.
If you’ve ever wondered how easily a “barely-there” design can slip from tasteful transparency into something a bit more provocative—much like the way some streamers flirt with minimal coverage and clever lighting—take a quick detour to Twitch Nudes where you’ll see how the aesthetics of reveal-versus-conceal play out in real time, offering an eye-opening (and definitely NSFW) study in presentation for anyone curious about the overlap between visual design and digital exhibitionism.
BDDW Credenza: Craft You Can Feel (And Lift With Two Friends)
I rented a BDDW credenza for a photo shoot last fall and kept it for two weeks (perk of being pals with a stylist). Oiled walnut. Hand-cast pulls. The drawers glide like butter—smooth, quiet, confident.
It’s heavy. We moved it with sliders over a wool rug, inch by inch. The smell of the oil finish was lovely. Warm. Like a wood shop after rain. But that finish needs care. Water rings show fast. I kept a towel on top while we arranged art, then swapped to leather mats for the shoot.
Would I own one? Yes, if storage is king and you want a serious piece that will age with you. But use coasters. And felt pads under anything hard. I also waxed the top once with a light paste wax. That helped with tiny marks.
Memphis Moment: When Color Steals the Show
I sat on a Peter Shire “Bel Air” chair at a collector’s home. Red, blue, yellow. Angles that look like a puzzle. It’s firm. The arm hits a little low. You don’t sink in. You pose. That’s the point.
Living with Memphis style is like wearing neon sneakers. It’s loud, but it sparks joy. Dusting takes time because edges and planes catch everything. I used a small paintbrush to get into corners. Sounds fussy, but it worked.
Would I put it in my home? As a reading chair, no. As a sculpture that also seats a guest for five minutes? Yes. It’s pure mood.
A Quick Tangent: Local Maker, Live-Edge Bench
One more piece. A live-edge walnut bench by a local maker in Jersey City. Hand-shaped legs. Oil-rubbed top. It felt like a small river paused in place. We used it by the entry for shoes. It got nicked once by a metal boot buckle. I sanded the spot and rubbed in oil. It vanished. That’s the nice thing with real wood—simple fixes.
Support your local studio folks. You get art and a human you can call. If you need a nudge toward finding makers in your area, see what’s showing at Metro Arts for a quick hit of fresh ideas.
Had plans to road-trip through Northern California flea markets? Turn the excursion into a mini-vacation by building in some nightlife too—after you wrap up treasure-hunting, swing by One Night Affair’s adult search in Lodi for a fast way to line up evening entertainment, complete with curated listings that let you maximize fun between scouting antique stalls and the next day’s estate-sale circuit.
I’ve got thoughts on wall pieces too—here’s the story of the space art that actually lives on my walls if you’re curious.
Living With Art Furniture: Stuff I Do That Helps
A few habits made life easier:
- Museum gel for glass and small objects (keeps things from skating).
- Felt pads under everything. Chairs. Lamps. Even vases.
- Microfiber cloths. Dry for dust. Damp for the Kartell chair.
- Coasters, always. I keep a stack in a bowl so they look cute.
- Shade for resin or clear pieces. Sun can haze or tint them over time.
- If you sell later, save tags and paperwork. It helps with value and shipping.
Oh, and measure doorways. Twice. I once got a table stuck in a stairwell. Not fun.
Who Will Love Art Furniture (And Who Might Not)
You’ll love it if:
- You like bold shapes and don’t mind a little care.
- You host and want a piece that starts talk without you trying.
- You’re fine mixing high and low. Ikea rug with a hero chair? Works.
You might skip it if:
- You need soft, all-day comfort over style cues.
- You have pets that chew or scratch everything plastic.
- You don’t want maintenance. Some pieces need a plan.
The Part I Didn’t Expect
Art furniture changed how I move through my home. I stand straighter near the credenza. I set my cup down with care on the Noguchi. I notice light. That sounds silly, but it’s true. You start to act like the piece matters, and then your space does too.
Do I still flop on my worn sofa? Yes. But I like having a few pieces that ask for attention. They make me slow down. That’s rare.
Final Take
If you’re curious, start small. Try a single chair or a side table. Borrow or buy secondhand. Live with it for a month. See how you feel in the morning light and at 11 p.m. after dishes. That’s the real test.
Me? I’m keeping the Noguchi. I’ll hunt for a Roly-Poly with a cushion. And one day, when I grow a second pair of biceps, that BDDW credenza is coming back home. You know what? I’ll even have the coasters ready. For anyone juggling nostalgia and design, my honest take on living with vintage art might help.