If there's one sofa that makes you want to relax, it's the chaise longue. Appreciated for its gentle position, sitting and lying, for centuries, this antique piece of furniture seems timeless. A look back at the origin and history of the Roman chaise longue and its modern variations.
History of the Roman chaise longue: from antiquity to today
The Roman daybed: an invitation to relaxation
More than any other piece of furniture, the chaise longue is an invitation to relaxation and daydreaming. Its name comes from the Latin meridies which means "noon" and from meridio, "nap" in old French. It is an element of comfort and charm in a home.
Directory daybed
A chaise longue is a sofa designed like a bed. The idea is to be able to enjoy a sitting and lying position. On this unstructured sofa, the head of the bed, which is traditionally called the "bedside", is always higher than the foot of the bed.
The chaise longue: an ancient tradition
When we talk about a chaise longue, we all imagine the period piece of furniture on which the Romans and Greeks gorged on food and wine. At that time, it was the essential part of the home. At banquets, all guests had their own chaise lounge and only came out to dance. No one could claim to be a quality host without having the coveted seat...
Bed of Hercules representation of the antique chaise longue
From its origins, the chaise longue has been designed for comfort and above all to last. Its antique versions were designed in robust materials such as wood, bronze or marble. They were decorated with numerous cushions to allow its occupant to remain seated comfortably for hours.
Over time, its concept has remained, its design, structure and comfort have evolved. Far from being out of fashion, the chaise longue has not aged, it has matured.
The chaise longue at the origin of the convertible
The chaise longue is an essential piece of furniture in the history of furniture and that of the convertible... Known since Antiquity, it underwent an enormous evolution in the 1950s. When Albert Ducrot began developing furniture convertibles of all kinds, he began by creating an armchair that could be transformed into a chaise longue, with a pull-out footrest.
Albert DUCROT's chaise longue and armchair
This piece of furniture, marked by the desire to provide a dual function, became the first convertible sofa in History. Subsequently, by filing various patents concerning the mechanics of convertibles, he allowed the chaise longue, and other pieces of furniture, to be transformed into a bed. Now, during the day, you can sit and lie comfortably on the chaise longue, and at night, recharge your batteries in a real bed.
Today's daybeds
From antiquity to today, the chaise longue seems to have always dreamed of being convertible. In order to harmonize shapes and offer the greatest comfort, La Maison Du Convertible in one of its Italian workshops has created two convertible chaise lounges: the Sunrise
Characterized by the generosity of its shapes, it brings a touch of glamor and ultra-comfortable design to your interior.
It is a chaise longue that catches the eye and immediately inhabits your interior. We recognize it as an air of Boca, the famous mouth-shaped sofa created by Salvatore Dali in 1936.
In addition to being convertible into a bed, much more comfortable than the original model, its fluid and voluptuous curves provide softness that contrasts with the passion red. Its seat is tender, like a kiss. You will enjoy spending long evenings curling up in this sofa.
For the record... Dali's Boca is a tribute to the red and luscious lips of Mae West, the American actress and sex symbol of the 1930s.
