Happy Chair #1
About a year ago I went to an estate sale and came back with a chair I dubbed “the happy chair.” When I first found the chair, hanging out in a dressing area with a matching lamp, I was ambivalent. I didn’t like the print, the upholstery was tearing and fraying in places, and I had to carry the chair down a hill on my own — but it fit my body so perfectly that I really didn’t think I could say no to it. Now, months later, I’m so glad I didn’t. This chair is a home within my home. I love the print now, I’ve read so many great books in it, and it’s the source of many happy memories from the last months of Tisha‘s life. Truly a happy chair indeed.
Happy Chair #2
Last week, when my back started hurting, I went online and made a purchase I’d been putting off for years: a kneeling chair. It arrived today and I assembled it myself. It doesn’t fit my body as well as Happy Chair #1 — I wish the knee pads were higher — and I think I’m going to need to change the positioning of my keyboard and mouse, to accommodate the change in chair height, but the important thing is: my back is very, very happy with it. And that makes me happier too.
(And now that I’m no longer sitting in my previous office chair, Lyapa gets to sit in it, which she was always desperate to do. Another point for Happy Chair #2.)
Here’s another angle on me in the kneeling chair, which gives you a cool view of my computer workstation. The site I’m browsing is Mo’s at themousemarket.com. 😉
My workspace
And one more photo to show the whole chair in use:
Kneeling chair in use
satsumabug.com | Lisa Hsia 
Dear Lisa,
My name is Itaru Nishino.(JPN)
I know the kneeling chair is good for posture and prevent back pain.
But, don’t you feel discomfort when you use for a long hour?
I’m developing a chair mechanism.
My invention is focused on posture and back pain and long time usage.
(It’s not appear on the market yet.)
Itaru
Itaru, I have only had the chair for two days so I don’t have much experience with it. So far I am not experiencing any discomfort with using it for long periods. Good luck with your new chair! I’m sure many people will be grateful for it!
Because I have same kneeling chair.
But I could not satisfied.
My new chair mechanism can move like sitting on exercise ball.
When I launch the chair I’ll inform you.
bye
You mean like this? http://www.gaiam.com/product/exercise-ball-ballanceball-chair.do
I have also tried this chair and it is very comfortable, but expensive: http://sukhasana.com/
My chair mechanism is totally different from this kind of ball chair. The motion when sitting is very similar to exercise ball. But it looks like simple office chair.
I’m trying to upload photos on my facebook page.
Thank you for the information of sukhasana chair.
It’s interesting but the price must be a joke.
I agree with you on the price of the Sukhasana chair!
I’d be interested in seeing your photos when they are uploaded.
Sweeet, Lisa! Can you put a small pillow on the knee pad to raise the height a little? And I love your first happy chair. It looks incredibly comfy and nest-like. Someday, you can teach yourself upholstering, and recover it. You will be adding a new skill AND you can keep that baby forever!
I’m thinking of putting yoga blankets over the knee pads! And yes, the first happy chair is definitely nestlike. 🙂 I do expect to reupholster it someday. It’s so hard to find the perfect armchair, I won’t want to let go of this one unless it starts growing things! ;b
I like both of your happy chairs! They seem to both contrast, and somehow complement each other. 🙂
They definitely complement each other when it comes to support for my body. 🙂
Hi Lisa! Okay first of all, I’ve always wanted a chair like happy chair #1 that is totally comfy and cozy with an ottoman. I always sit in the giant chairs at Crate and Barrel dreaming of the day I will own one! Your story is even more awesome because you found yours at an estate sale! And as for your kneeling chair, I’ve seen those before, but always wondered if they were really comfy to use at your desk. You’ll have to let me know what the verdict is after a few uses. Has it alleviated your back pain?
Hi Angelina! Thanks for visiting! 🙂 The thing I love most about happy chair #1 is that it’s not too huge — it is just big enough for my body and no more. I loved it when we had a ginormous sofa a few years ago, but for some reason I am not into giant armchairs. And since so many of them seem to be huge these days, I could never find a new one I liked! I think estate sales must be where it’s at with non-humongous armchairs. 🙂
The kneeling chair has helped immensely with the back pain, but it turns out to not be a comfy chair to sit in for hours at a time — you’re actually not supposed to sit in it for long periods. (Which is fine, since I shouldn’t be doing that anyway.) Mainly, it’s a lot of weight on my shins, so they get sore to the point where they feel bruised even though they’re not. It’s a nuisance when I have a lot of computer work to do, but I’m also grateful for the reminder to get up and take more breaks!
[…] rereading — why am I still here in front of the computer, instead of cozily ensconced in the happy chair? Glittering […]