Introducing The Lil Chair

James Richardson Furniture (JRF) has collaborated with internationally acclaimed design studio Russell & George. This partnership has seen the creation of the Lil Chair. With its wide arms and high back, the Lil Chair hugs you, creating an enveloping, relaxing ambience.

Pictured; Georgia Danos (Creative & Brand Director, JRF) & Ryan Russell and Byron George (Directors, Russell & George)

Design-focused, compact, commercial-grade and affordable, the Lil Chair is equal parts JRF and Russell & George. Uniquely customisable, the Lil Chair would look as at home in your dining room as it would in a luxury restaurant. Georgia Danos, Creative & Brand Director of JRF said of the experience, “the collaboration was a dream! The culmination of JRF’s rich history and craftsmanship with Russell & George’s creative genius has given way to a piece that we are both so proud of”. 

Paying homage to its namesake and Melbourne icon, Lillian Wightman, the Lil Chair makes reference to the social history of Melbourne decades past. Inspired by Ms Wightman’s animal skin rugs in her atelier, the prototype for the Lil Chair was crafted from leopard print. Ryan Russell, of Russell & George elaborates on this choice, claiming, “The Lil Chair is a pared-back homage to Melbourne’s ‘First Lady of Couture’”. 

The Lil Chair draws its form and scale to imbue a natural sense of conviviality. Considerately and meticulously crafted, the form is composed of a cylindrical ottoman with a floating, curved backrest hovering ever so slightly above the chair. 

Designed to fulfil Russell & George’s exacting requirements around scale, price and quality the Lil Chair needed to be multifaceted. It had to be both a dining and a lounging chair, compact enough to allow for the maximum number of restaurant patrons, or fit within the smallest apartment or hotel room. It then needed to be spacious enough to convey an effortless luxury that didn’t compromise comfort. With no existing chair in the market that achieved these requirements Russell & George worked with JRF to create The Lil Chair. 

The Lil Chair appears differently depending on which direction it is orientated towards. When viewing the chair from the front or back, it appears to be broad, spacious and sits comfortably alongside other armchairs, generous in size. However, when viewed from the side, it appears as two separate components; offset forms with the armrest floating above the seat, creating a geometric optical illusion. 

This collaborative project was designed to complement the Russell & George designed interior and the ambience of the Chris Lucas project, Society. Opening their doors earlier this month, Society is 300-seat restaurant, located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Reminiscent of classics club chairs, the Lil Chair is a welcome addition to a variety of situations for the discerning customer who wants to achieve that unique balance of scale, price, quality, comfort and taste. With a range of different upholstery and steel finishing options, the Lil can be customised to suit any space. 

Find out more about the Lil Chair here.