One Frame, Three Ways: Styling The 1931 Chair by Lee Industries
With its graceful slope arm, tailored skirt, and perfectly balanced proportions, the 1931 Chair by Lee Industries is a true classic. Its generous seat offers everyday comfort, while its refined silhouette makes it equally at home in a formal sitting room, a layered living space, or a cozy corner. Timeless without feeling overly traditional, the 1931 Chair adapts perfectly to its surroundings.
The 1931 Chair by Lee Industries features a timeless silhouette with a graceful slope arm, tailored skirt, and generous seat that’s made for both comfort and customization.
To show just how versatile this frame can be, we asked three of our Design Consultants to imagine their own version of the 1931. From soft greens and tailored trims to bold prints and graphic layers, each designer brings their own perspective to the same foundational frame, resulting in three distinct looks.
Read on to see how Emily, Hailie, and Heather would style the 1931 Chair in their own spaces.
Emily’s Take: A Sunlit Nook for Slow Afternoons
Emily imagined the 1931 Chair tucked into a special nook beside large windows, where warm light pours in throughout the afternoon. Intimate, calm, and intentionally layered, it’s the perfect space for a quiet moment with a book, or an easy cocktail with a friend.
She selected Dara Moss for the chair fabric, a soft green that feels fresh yet grounded. The tailored skirt is finished with decorative trim for added polish, while a coordinating accent pillow in Zanthor Menthol introduces subtle pattern and dimension. Underfoot, the IMA-05 rug keeps the palette airy and light. Custom drapery panels in Pagoda Trees are elevated with a leading edge band trim in Taj Document Red, adding contrast and structure.
A mid-century burl side table brings warmth and character, while sculptural lighting and a round mirror create balance in the vignette. For Emily, fresh flowers are always part of the plan. She loves sourcing seasonal arrangements from local favorite Field Floral Design to add life and movement to a space.
Emily’s Selections:
• 1931 Chair, Lee Industries
• Chair Fabric: Dara Moss, Lee Industries
• Skirt Trim: Thibaut
• Accent Pillow Fabric: Zanthor Menthol, Magnolia Fabrics
• Rug: IMA-05, Loloi Rugs
• Drapery Fabric: Pagoda Trees, Thibaut, with leading edge band trim in Taj Document Red, PK Lifestyles
• Side Table: Modern History Home
• Lamp and Mirror: Uttermost
• Fresh florals: Field Floral Design
Hailie’s Take: Bold, Bright, and Collected
Hailie envisioned the 1931 Chair in a funky yet contemporary living room layered with bright colors, playful patterns, and a gallery wall of vintage art prints. Upholstered in Fontain Apricot, the chair instantly becomes a focal point. A self welt keeps the look tailored and refined despite the vibrant color choice.
To create contrast and balance, Hailie added a lumbar pillow in Meridian Pewter with a welt finish. The mix of warm apricot and cool pewter tones feels intentional and modern. Paired with our Patterson Drink Table in Green Marble, the vignette feels confident, collected, and full of personality.
This design proves that even a classic frame can thrive in a high-energy, pattern-forward space.
Hailie’s Selections:
• 1931 Chair, Lee Industries
• Chair Fabric: Fontain Apricot, Lee Industries
• Lumbar Pillow: Meridian Pewter with welt finish, Lee Industries
• Drink Table: Patterson Drink Table in Green Marble, Curated Furnishings
Heather’s Take: Layered, Graphic, and Full of Character
Heather embraced contrast and character, building a richly layered environment around the 1931 Chair.
She selected Calico Khaki for the chair fabric, creating a soft, neutral foundation that allows the surrounding layers to shine. A luxe accent pillow in Tarragon Velvet introduces richness and depth, finished with vertical detail in Ripley Applique for added structure and definition. Underfoot, the FLE-01 rug grounds the space with graphic contrast.
Custom drapery panels in Maverick add softness and movement, while the backdrop of Mendoza Suzani wallpaper creates visual impact and dimension. A Cast Side Table from Curated Furnishings brings sculptural balance beside the chair, paired with the Highlight Floor Lamp for warm, architectural lighting. The Malone Mirror reflects light and enhances the layered feel of the room.
Heather finished the space with personality-driven accents, including the Eric Rabbit Wall Mount and a striking black-and-white bone inlay box. The result feels curated, expressive, and thoughtfully collected; proof that a timeless frame can absolutely live in a bold, character-filled environment.
Heather’s Selections:
• 1931 Chair, Lee Industries
• Chair Fabric: Calico Khaki, Lee Industries
• Accent Pillow Fabric: Tarragon Velvet, Fabricut
• Accent Pillow Trim: Ripley Applique, Thibaut
• Drapery Fabric: Maverick, Thibaut
• Wallpaper: Mendoza Suzani, Thibaut
• Mirror: Malone Mirror, Uttermost
• Rug: FLE-01 CJ Natural/Black, Loloi Rugs
• Floor Lamp: Highlight Floor Lamp, Uttermost (Revelation Collection)
• Side Table: Cast Side Table, Curated Furnishings
• Rabbit Head Wall Accent: Eric Wall Mount, Accent Decor
• Bone Inlay Box, Curated Furnishings
Why the 1931 Chair Works Every Time
The beauty of the 1931 Chair lies in its versatility. Its proportions are timeless. Its silhouette is tailored but approachable. And because it’s fully customizable, it becomes a canvas for creativity.
If you’re considering custom upholstery, this is your reminder: the fabric, trim, and surrounding layers are what truly bring a piece to life. And that’s where our design consultants love to help.
Ready to create your version? Visit our showroom or schedule a consultation. We’d love to help you style your own custom piece!
