There has definitely been a bit of a fall chill in the air lately! And no place cozier to curl up than in a wing chair, originally designed to protect against chills in those drafty, old castles. It has since been elevated to iconic status, characterized by a high back, comfortable arms, those enveloping wings and is available in styles from traditional to modern, even to the whimsical.

credit: Jean de Merry

Make a statement with the exaggerated lines and proportions of the Aland Wing Chair by Jean de Merry.

credit: Room and Board

Mid-mod fans can satisfy their style of choice with this chair, originally designed by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Sons, and available through Room & Board.

credit: Restoration Hardware

Restoration Hardware’s new French Upholstered Wing Chair exemplifies traditional form.

credit: Restoration Hardware

The Versailles Domed Chair, also known as a canopy or balloon chair, inspired by an 18th century Louis XV original. Available through Restoration Hardware.

credit: Bright Chair

The Van Wing Chair by Bright Chair ups the style quotient with the slightly raised, exposed wood arms.

credit: Brueton

Clean and simple, Stanley Jay Friedman’s Winged Chair for Brueton.

credit: ShopAD.net

Delicate, hand painted chinoiserie sets off the detailed fretwork on the Chinese Chippendale Wing Chair by Gregorius|Pineo.

Now, pour that brandy, open the damper, stack the wood and light that cozy fire!

Seems to be the word of the moment.  The venerable Italian design house and Target launched their joint design venture yesterday – stores were emptied of inventory, the Target website crashed due to volume, and the news media even picked up the story!  Known for striking and colorful geometric patterns in fashion, home goods and accessories, as well as launching the Hotel Missoni boutique chain, the company was founded in 1953, and saw its peak of fashion influence in the 1970′s, with yesterday being quite the exception.  What was to have been a 6-week supply disappeared in 1 day, fueled by an aggressive marketing campaign of inserts in luxury fashion magazines, a presence at New York’s Fashion Week, highly-styled TV ads and a blogosphere buzz that few collections such as this have generated in the past.

A few of the coveted pieces from the 400-item collection.

credit: Target

credit: Target

credit: Target

credit: Target

credit: Target

credit: Target

Were you one of the lucky few to have scored a Missoni item from Target?  Did you have to wait in-line or on-line? Either way, you will be the envy of your design-savvy friends!

There is much to be said for the beauty of a life well-lived and the patina that comes with age.  Much evidenced by the success of 1st dibs, and the amazing array of objets one can find with the click of a mouse.  The interesting, beautiful, vintage goodness doesn’t stop there, as evidenced by the treasure trove to be found at Pieces, Inc., Urban Remains, and Vintage and Modern, best known as VandM.  A few delights to tempt you.

credit: Urban Remains Chicago

Urban Remains of Chicago offers architectural salvage, vintage finds, and details of where the gems have been hiding.  Imagine this as an “of-the-moment bar car” with an interesting back-story.  Circa 1930′s industrial table.

credit: VandM

VandM showcases just about every design period one could think of, but they have some of the best of the best when it comes to Danish Modern.  1950′s Hans Wegner-style solid wood chair.

credit: Pieces, Inc.

Pieces, Inc. specializes in the perfect piece to jazz up any space, and this vintage Ming-style dresser has just the kick your space needs with a zingy, new orange color!