Reader Challenge: Minimalist or Baroque?

Bretz Sofas: Ugly or Beautiful- You be the judge.

About 8 months ago, I wrote a post on Bretz Sofas titled: " Bretz Sofas: Quite Possibly The Ugliest Sofas Ever Made". The title, admittedly, is loaded. You know that I'm not going to give these sofas a chance by the title of the article. Pretty much, the article went completely undisputed. But recently, a couple people have responded telling me how foolish and uncool I am for not liking Bretz Sofas. This is the point where I need your help: You, dear reader, will help me judge.

Do you prefer baroque, over the top furniture or modern, simple furniture? Please leave a comment which you prefer and why. If we get more than twenty comments I promise to buy the most entertaining comment a prize of $25 or less paid by me, the author (2modern is not responsible).


Conversation Chair by Ana Linares : minimalist, and stark yet bold and somewhat sexy?


Easy Chair by Derin Sariyer: Beautiful or Boring?


Bretz Sofa: Is this strawberry sofa refreshing or repulsive?

Comments

[Stacy]

I don't particularly like them. Very unrealistic. Perhaps for dreamy folks who can afford it, but to the average, real American out there, not very useful.

I think that anyone can say that they like it because it's something new and unique. But until you truly buy one of these sofas and place them in your home, I don't think it matters. Again, it's one thing to nod and say "Wow," and it's another to actually buy this.

I've worked with fabrics for years and I can tell you from experience, the black zebra sofa and the strawberry red sofa aren't going to last a long time. Their construction is very unrealistic. It is more show than "down-the-years practical".

[Sydney]

Isn't this blog 2Modern? Not 2Baroque?

I personally think the Bretz sofas look sorta trashy. Definately not sophisticated. Even.. gaudy.
I think clean lines and simplicty are elegant, and stay elegant.

When I think Baroque, it's just.. too much. Like the richest chocolate cheesecake, with chocolate sauce, on a chocolate plate, eaten with a chocolate desert fork. You look at it, and at first think, "Ooo" favouribly, then think, "Oooo" closer to "Eww", then even purse your lips at the thought. I like Baroque on one hand, music and all, but it's just too much. It can stay in the 17th century, and I shall admire it in books and landmarks I visit. Not in my home. So finicky!

I would certainly not take pride in having one of those sofas in my home, and would probally laugh after leaving a home that did have one!

Hmmm.

[Scott]

I think that the first and last sofa would look great in my black velvet basement next to my leopard skin handcuffs.

Not everything was meant to go in your living room and be crayon proof.

Eclectic pieces are for eclectic people. don't worry though, your still allowed to not like it. ;)

[bronxelf]

I don't *like* any of them. But I can see the the top one being used in a public space, perhaps outdoors. It's not comfortable for long term sitting and talking, but for a brief rest while you finish an ice cream and figure out where you're going next, I think it's an interesting piece.

Though I like the color of the strawberry sofa that's the only thing I do like. As to the zebra, amazingly I can think of a bunch of people/places that would go for it. None of them are in my house, but I can see it in certain applications.

The easy chair sofa reminds me of airport furniture. Granted, it's nice airport furniture, but it's still that kind of generic modernism that's easy to clean under. Slap some contract fabric on that baby and shove it into your local TWA terminal lounge. If you get bar service, no one will notice the blandness.

[Brandon]

Very good comments so far! Extremely expressive! I love to hear people wax poetic about seating. After all, most people spend the majority of their life sitting down, right?

[Angela]

I'm split right down the middle usually when it comes to baroque vs. minimalist!

I prefer the plush comfort of baroque, but enjoy the simplicity and clean lines of minimalist designs. If I could get a mixture of the two I would be ecstatic!

The zebra Bretz is amazingly dreadful, but it goes well with all of the green/black/white themes that are so popular this spring. A good designer could make it work.

As for the conversation chair, gorgeous lines but I see more applications for it in a different color. It appears to be extremely uncomfortable and not conducive to enjoying a converstion at all!

The easy chair sofa would be stunning in a different fabric- my favorite piece by far! You could use it with anything and it would look amazing!

Finally, the strawberry Bretz appears to be the most comfortable piece, but definitely too much. I see it in a salon waiting room- which would be nice especially if you get stuck waiting!

[Norma]

I've looked and looked but unfortunately I can find nothing to like about these Bretz sofas. I'm just not willing to compromise on style for what may or may not be comfortable. The easy chair is stylish and beautiful and the conversation chair unusual. I would love this piece in the garden. So to answer your question yea or nay to Bretz sofas my answer would be a definite nay!

[Valentina]

well, the exaggeration is never good. I'd prefer minimalism, but I agree with you, sometimes if is very pure, is cold and boring.

Anyway I hate all the exaggerate shapes, because that is not the idea of design. The most important fact of design is: to serve for the function that the product was made for and, in the same time, glad the senses of the user. Otherwise, design will be not design... will be engineering or art.

[Al]

For some pieces, I don't worry about crayons or the day to day wear and tear; if it wears, repair it!

And it's great to have a standout piece here and there, whether that be modern or baroque.

I prefer clean and modern, but with warmth. I don't see that in the Bretz sofas.

The strawberry sofa seems perfect for the "Mayflower Madam"--or maybe for a certain former NY Governor's "4 diamond" acquaintences!

The black and white sofa? Give me a break. It would cause me nightmares, as would the black and white "look" that's been highlighed--and pushed on us--in recent months. Have you spent time in a room like that? Everyone looks sickly.

Save them for a holloween fun house!

[Emily]

I definitely prefer modern lines, but Baroque done right can be opulent and lovely.

The Bretz sofas, on the other hand, are more BROKE than Baroque! I think they missed the "Clever" mark they were going for by a mile.