Bistro Banquette by Mariette Himes Gomez: versatility meets elegance
Published May 23th, 2009 | Written by Minta Interiors | Photography by Hickory Chair

Mariette Himes Gomez is a familiar name to those in the design industry. Since 1975 she has been honored for her beautiful and classic designs by Architectural Digest, House Beautiful and the New York Times, just to name a few. Simplicity in line and attention to detail are hallmarks of her design. This is evident in the line of furniture she has created for Hickory Chair and the Bistro Banquette is just one example of this.

The Bistro Banquette is part of a series which includes a chair, corner unit and banquettes in several sizes. The Bistro is the perfect size for use in several areas of your home. It measures 36 inches high, 28 inches deep and is 56 inches wide. This petite width makes it a smart choice for just about any space. The clean lines of the wooden frame and the tight channel back allow it to work in many different interiors from traditional to a more modern/transitional room. While you have a wide array of fabric options to choose from, the channel back of this piece looks best when upholstered in a solid or lightly textured fabric.

We are all familiar with the standard dining room table and matching chairs. But replacing two or three of your chairs with an upholstered banquette is a unique option. Your guests will argue with each other over who gets to sit on the comfortable “sofa” during dinner. The clean, modern lines of the banquette paired with the Embassy sideboard, also designed by Mariette Himes Gomez, will create a stunning dining room set.

Using additional pieces of the series such as the long banquette and the corner chair, the bistro banquette becomes part of a seating area in the living room. When grouped around a coffee table these pieces create the perfect conversation area. You can either choose from Hickory Chair’s fabric collection or you can provide your own fabric, allowing you to match or coordinate with other upholstered pieces in your home.

Placed at the foot of a bed the banquette becomes an unobtrusive spot to sit and tie your shoes or to place your decorative pillows when the bed is turned down. The modern lines of the wooden frame will work with any style of bed frame from a mahogany sleigh bed to a metal four poster.

The ability to customize these “sofas” makes them a perfect choice for use around a breakfast table. They are just the right size to create a cozy spot for that first cup of coffee in the morning. The armless style makes it easy for the kids to slide in and out while eating breakfast or doing their homework.

If you are trying to furnish an office or waiting room in an elegant manner, the bistro banquette may be just what you are looking for. The varying sizes and shapes make this series a good choice for your public spaces. Alone, the banquettes act as individual sofas, paired with the other pieces you can create a seating area for just about any room configuration.

Hickory Chair places a standard oxford wood stain finish on the frame and legs of this furniture but it is available in several other finishes as well. It can be made to order in sizes ranging from just 24” to 120” in width. These options, along with the fabric choices, allow you to create a truly unique piece for your home or business regardless of whether you prefer contemporary, modern/transitional or traditional style.

Catalog item: Bistro Banquette