I am always curious about the relationship between furniture and owner. Your furniture speaks volumes about you. There are pieces of furniture that are as iconic as the Grand Canyon. There are pieces so pure, they remind me of the horizon line over the ocean. No kidding: Some furniture elicits a love affair. My weakness is chairs. Chairs drive me absolutely crazy. To me, they are the building blocks of any great room.

There are a lot of memorable chairs, such as those created by legendary designers Mies van der Rohe, Jean Prouve and Eero Saarinen. But why stop there? Who can't recognize an Eames, a Bertoia or a Thonet? And still there are other chairs less recognizable by name but equally as sculptural — e.g., the plethora of furniture of 1960s Danish design. Each era has its design icons that become ingrained in our consciousness, and like the return of the New Beetle or the Fiat 500, some make a comeback and are forever coveted by furniture lovers and collectors alike.

Sometimes we are convinced by standard edicts, by our preconceived notions or by the advice of a friend that a living room requires the ubiquitous sofa and coffee table. But why not just chairs? Throughout history and in many parts of the world, the sofa has been a more private type of furniture for reclining. In fact, individual chairs typically have been the preferred seating, as they are easily moved about a room to catch prevailing breezes or to huddle near a blazing fire. The White House's most fashion-forward room, the Cabinet Room, is a collection of beautiful chairs and tables — no sofa in sight.

Some chairs are airy, with frames made of metal, bamboo or wood. These chairs are generally upright, making them perfect for specific tasks and dining. Some have armrests for comfort or simply to denote status at the head of a table. Others are fully upholstered in fabric or leather for relaxing or reading; these are best known as club chairs. In-between chairs are often referred to as occasional chairs. And let us not forget the cumbersome reclining chair, now available in sleek designs.

Finally, we can't take a look at chairs without commenting on sofas. Sofas provide an obvious anchor for a seating area. However, while sofas are built to seat three or four, most are underused, with two guests sitting at either end. Seating patterns indicate that unless there is no other seat, most people will avoid sitting in a middle seat, not only because of comfort, but also due to the lack of both personal space and privacy in conversation. This observation reinforces my stance and preference for the chair.

Chairs are unique and individual. In the right combination, chairs can furnish any room adequately. Did I tell you I love chairs?

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: at Unsplash