In classical mythology, there’s something called a cornucopia. It’s a horn that’s said to provide an endless supply of food and drink, but in modern times that term has been adapted to include everything else, including luck. Thus, having a cornucopia of plenty bodes great fortune. The reason I’m mentioning this is because the classic Felt chair by Marc Newson somehow reminded me of a horn and the legend associated with it.
I would have thought that this chair would be a bit too radical-looking for certain establishments, like hotels. It’s just that a lot of hotels seem to feature more dignified furniture, and the Felt Chair, which has been featured in the Austin Powers movies and in some of Madonna’s videos, is not what I would call dignified. Quirky, eye-catching, yes. Dignified, not really.
As it turns out, Newson’s felt chair is at least in one hotel, and an upscale one at that. Enter the lounge of the spanking new G Hotel in Penang, Malaysia, and it’s one of the sights that will greet you. Looking at the picture, I must admit it does not look out of place in that setting at all. It seems lounge seating and modern reception chairs can look quirky and still fit right in with more elegant-looking furniture.
Manufactured by Cappellini, the Felt Chair certainly seems capable of withstanding the pressures of a public location. The body is made from reinforced fiberglass while the leg comes in natural polished aluminum. The chair’s finish can be lacquered in any color to suit outdoor requirements. For indoor use, one can choose from finishes like Feltro, Panno, Hallingdal, Pro, Tonica, Glove, Tonus, leather or leather extra.
Maybe Marc Newson’s Felt Armchair will function as part of the ‘horn of plenty’ for the G Hotel. It certainly isn’t hurting the hotel any to have it as part of its collection, judging from this positive hotel review.
