Viesso Paul Smith chair

Why It's Good:

Viesso has created a seat that makes a bold style statement, via fabric by Paul Smith, the demi-god of design fans.

Why It's Green:

Part of that statement involves sustainability: All of Viesso's upholstered furniture is framed with Forest Stewardship Council-certified alder hardwood, harvested from responsibly managed forests. This particular chair has recycled steel legs and is "stuffed" with 100% organic latex, not nasty foam laden with PBDE flame retardant, which can hitch a ride on household dust straight into our bodies and, via breast milk, our babies. Finally, the Paul Smith fabric meets Greenguard's off-gassing standards, so bringing this chair into a home won't (further) pollute indoor air.

Where To Get It:

http://www.viesso.com/
With the Paul Smith fabric, organic latex, and recycled legs, the Nein chair is $2,367; the basic model starts at $1,000. The chair can be ordered off the website, customized online, made up in three weeks and shipped nationwide.

The Year's Coolest Chair

Is this possibly the coolest piece of furniture in existence? Brit hipsters and style fanatics of all nationalities have long collected Paul Smith shirts, socks, lined jackets, wallets, teacups, and even iPod cases sporting his signature multi-colored stripes. (We'll come clean: We've bought design magazines at his Fifth Avenue store just so we could have his shopping bag to carry everywhere like a bright-striped badge of chic.) Now home-design addicts can rejoice, because the hip green furniture company Viesso is giving their Nein chair the quirky-classic Smith treatment. Upholstered in non-toxic latex, the chair is upholstered with 100% wool in a "traditional pinstripe that Smith made edgier," says Viesso's Ryan Schultz. While I'd be happy as a lark sitting in this chair in an empty room (until I saved up for additional furnishings), customers are already clamoring for more: One New Zealand couple had an entire sectional made up in a slightly different variation (chocolate brown base with contrasting stripes in yellow, green, blue and pink). Whether you want a little stripe action or a lot, mind your dress code and colors—because with Paul Smith, if you must clash, clash boldly.—James Servin