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Behind the design of the Jonas chair

Introducing a hero style from Soho Home’s new collection with Senior Creative Director, Gareth Lewis
Feb 24, 2022 Art & Design
A man sits casually in a mid-century modern armchair, legs crossed, in a warmly lit room with wooden panel walls, a patterned rug, and stylish grey upholstered chairs.
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By Megan Murray

Occasional chairs are used across our Houses, offering a comfortable place to sit in the bedroom while getting ready, or to gather friends in a cosy corner of the club.

Here, Soho Home's Senior Creative Director, Gareth Lewis, shares how these pieces have become a signature of Soho Home and the story behind the new Jonas chair.

Shop our occasional chairs edit

Plush chairs arranged around small tables hold patterned pillows in a cozy lounge. Dim lamps illuminate a textured wood and glass wall, casting warm light in the elegant setting.
Armchairs with patterned upholstery and round wooden tables are aligned against a textured glass-paneled wall with wooden framing. The space is softly lit by wall-mounted lamps.

What can you tell us about Soho Home’s design process?

'Soho Home was created because members wanted to buy decor from the Houses, so the products have always echoed what you'll see in the clubs. Now more than ever, we're working incredibly closely with the interior designers to create pieces for upcoming Houses, which are also available to buy - it's all one process and there's real synergy there.'

How do you ensure that Soho Home’s occasional chairs are comfortable?

'Nick Jones sits in every design we make to check how comfortable it is. Soho House is known for being a home away from home; a place to settle in and put your feet up. So, we have a rule for Soho Home that everything should be relaxed and loungey. We do this by ensuring the seat is deeper and more generous, and the arms are extra wide. We also accentuate the rake, which is the angle between the seat and the back, so that you can really lean into it. And a lot of consideration goes into the fill of the seat cushion to make sure that it doesn't flatten out, but allows you to sink in.'

A person sketches at a round table with various art tools and notebooks, seated near a window with sheer curtains and indoor plants nearby.
A person sketches a high-heeled shoe design on white paper at a wooden table with drawing tools and a glass of water.

The half cushion is quite unusual – why did you include this in the design?

'We're really happy with the chair's half cushion, and that it serves a dual purpose. A lot of skill goes into the hand-weaving of the roped back, so we wanted to show that off while considering comfort. Revealing those details takes the chair to a different place, and it's designed to support your back.'

Any tips for styling the Jonas chair at home?

'I would position it so that you can see the back when you walk into the room to show off the rope detail. Place it next to another Jonas with coordinating upholstery, opposite a sofa. Add a large rug for depth and a small side table between them.'

A woven chair backrest is paired with a cushion in a dimly lit, cozy room with wooden walls and a softly glowing lamp in the background.
A wooden armchair with woven rattan backrest and cushioned seat, positioned on a wooden floor beside a partially visible rug.
A wicker chair with wooden armrests is shown in close-up, situated in a warmly lit, stylish room furnished with other contemporary chairs in the background.

Discover Lewis's edit from our new collection