Fauvism makes a delightful return with the Museum Slipper chair. The black-and-tan pattern suggests both wildcats and jungle leaves, but the gently fluted legs and the plush seating whisper refinement. 979 Third Avenue, Suite 804, New York, NY 10022; 212-223-8340.

The Crystal Ball is a chair Salvador Dalí would have loved. The solid-walnut piece is a study in playful asymmetry: The slatted back extends to the floor to form a rear counterpart to the oddly offset, round-footed legs. Available in a variety of woods and colors, it is 42 inches high, with a seat height of 18 inches and a width of 181/2 inches. 60 Van Dam Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222; 718-599-6963; yepesfinefurniture.com.

The sculptural COMpod Lounge Series is a glimpse into the future of design. The winning entry in a student contest, the line offers both casual comfort and refinement. Each piece has a specific raison d'être: The Create chair inspires industry and creativity; the Play lounge encourages relaxation and distraction; and the Meet two-seater promotes face-to-face encounters. P.O. Box 2065, 2401 South College Drive, High Point, NC 27261; 336-889-2009; davisfurniture.com.

Here's a seemingly forgotten notion: an elegant, no-nonsense executive chair that's designed to go the distance. Add a green-friendly heart, and you've got Chord. The chair boasts self-skinned urethane arm pads, double-needled upholstery seams, and polished arms made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled aluminum harvested from discarded auto parts. 250 Swathmore Avenue, High Point, NC 27263; 800-627-6770; brayton.com.

Isamu Noguchi's work for Martha Graham and the sculpture of Barbara Hepworth inspired the head-turning form of this designer's chaise. The 36-by-24-by-40-inch piece rests on a chrome-steel base that can be topped with any upholstery. 802-233-7757

The clean-lined Chair 4 is a study in subtle textural contrasts. A light yet sturdy frame of sheet metal—available in powdercoated steel or in white, black, orange, red, or gray—supports a flat, solid-walnut seat. Need to take the edge off? No problem: The seat is also available in upholstery. 27 Montrose Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206; 718-782-3539; hivemindesign.com.

Bubble Rock makes terrific eye candy. The square, round, and trapezoidal shapes comprise a double-paneled pine-and-poplar frame covered by elastic straps of covered rubber and polyurethane foam. The pieces can be covered in an array of fabric or leather, or the customer's own material. Strada del Cavolto, I-22040 Anzano del Parco (CO), Italy; 39-031-630-954; livingdivani.it.

The Free armchair has all the right angles. Reminiscent of 1960's mod designs, the sleek wings and arms are ready to enfold the sitter in a comfortable origami. The swivel pedestal base in chrome sports adjustable feet for uneven floors. Upholstered in fire-retardant polyurethane foam, the piece can be covered in any color Kvadrat fabric or in leather, as well as in the customer's own material. Through Property, 14 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10013; 917-237-0123; propertyfurniture.com.

Industrial designer Patrick Messier created the sensual Mamma rocking chair to offset the dearth of comfortable and attractive versions of this living room classic. The undulating, ribbonlike fiberglass piece, available in white or in custom colors, is coated with a special high-gloss urethane finish. 5550 Fullum Street, Office 312, Montreal, Quebec H2G 2H4, Canada; 888-271-0909; editorialliving.com.

The refined, low-seated Arne offers a pleasing asymmetry: armrests of different shapes and heights. Combine the end unit with a chaise longue to create corner configurations. Available in fabric or leather, this piece measures 124 inches long, 591/2 inches deep, and 263/4 inches high. Other lengths are offered. 150 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10155; 800-872-1697; bebitalia.it.

The modular Transit Seating bench brings no-nonsense versatility to the travel market. The perforated stainless-steel frame comes in nine versions and can be configured in a multitude of ways. It's also eco-friendly: It's 80 percent or greater recycled content, and all components are fully recyclable. Available in natural stainless steel or powdercoat. 6395 Cindy Lane, Carpenteria, CA 93013; 800-451-0410; forms-surfaces.com.

Why should pigs have all the fun? Truffle is a delicious confection of roto-molded plastic that jazzes up the old beanbag. The surprisingly supportive seat is available in green, white, and black. The piece is 43 inches wide by 17 inches high (23 inches high with base). Via Per Cantu, 35-22060 Montesolaro (Co), Italy; 39-031-780237; porro.com.

A tuxedo chair on a diet, Wind is an elegant, slimmed-down lounger that perches breezily on a tubular polished-chrome base. The chair, as well as two- and three-seaters, is available in hundreds of fabrics, leathers, and vinyls. 17 West Stow Road, Marlton, NJ 08053; 800-220-1900; globaltotaloffice.com.

Bring the café into the office with the convivial Altcafe lounge chair, which invites you to arrange your legs any way you like, scoot around on its rolling castors, or scribble on its pivoting tablet. The acrylic fabric comes in lime green, mandarin orange, ruby red, smoke blue, black, brown, beige, and light gray. 203 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601; 312-917-6200; okamura.co.jp.

Some might prefer Komplot Design's Gubi lounge chair covered in cherry-red wool, one of 77 fabric colors. Others might choose leather upholstery. And a third group might go for the molded shell on its own, in beech, maple, oak, or walnut veneers. Regardless of seat options, legs are matte or polished chrome. Stacking and stool versions round out the offerings. 7-9 Klubiensvej, Warehouse 53, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; 45-3332-6368; gubi.dk.

With plump pillows and a reverse-camelback profile, the Gabriel sofa beckons people to get off their feet. Part of the Hollywood Glam collection, the sumptuous seat is shown in teal velvet with espresso wood finish and pewter foot caps. Available in literally hundreds of fabrics, the piece is 87 inches long by 39 inches wide. 1650 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 710, McLean, VA 22102; 877-290-1502; robinbruce.com.

Woven leather cord contrasts with the cool metal frame of the Peter chair, creating a serious alternative to rattan. The crisscross frame is available in a nickel-stained or chromed finish. Also offered in leather in colors ranging from white to black to Russian red. 150 East 58th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10155; 866-353-9763.

With a deep seat and gently reclining back, the Tyler chair invites thoughtful repose. It has an oak frame available in standard oak finishes, including ceruse, brandy, and chocolate. It can be upholstered in the customer's own material. 654 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021; 212-888-3241; victoriahaganhome.com.

Just like Fendi's clothing and accessories, the Efea is about sensual materiality. Set on a walnut and polyurethane base, the chair comes in three sizes. The more than 250 upholstery choices range from faux iguana and pony skin to Belgian linen. 90 NE 39th Street, Miami, FL 33137; 305-433-1660; fendicasa.it.

An update on a Thomas Hope original from the 19th century, the Hall chair imparts grace to even the most staunchly contemporary entryway. Offered in mahogany as well as this antiqued gesso finish—a look that was also popular back in Hope's time. 200 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016; 212-686-6444; smith-watson.com.

The 78-inch-long Nerine bench exhibits sustainable techniques and materials (salvaged railroad ties for the seat and sand-cast aluminum for the legs) and high-concept whimsy (wings). Sublime American Design, 26 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-941-8888; sublimeamericandesign.com.

Christian Liaigre's posh lounge seating includes Beluga. This sofa, upholstered in COM, is 9 feet 10 inches wide with oak arms. The base comes in oak or metallic finishes such as graphite. 801 West Adams Street, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60607; 312-329-5999; hollyhunt.com.

From the Lucien Rollin Collection comes the Chaise Apollon lounge and ottoman—in cotibe wood with brass, nickel, or bronze hardware and feet. 6-611 Alexander Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6A 1E1, Canada; 604-255-5911; williamswitzercollection.com.

Sava Cvek designed the reasonably priced Champion task chair, endowing it with a flexing backrest, articulating arm caps, an adjustable seat, and lumbar support. More than 100 upholstery fabrics can ship in 48 hours or less. Some leather and COM options take longer. 11451-A Harter Drive, Middlebury, IN 46540; 866-839-9666; zoomseating.com.

The Elana by Douglas Levine cants enough to encourage lounging but also works around the dinner table. Shown in canary-yellow leather, the chair is available in a wide range of other colors including green, blue, red, brown, and black. Legs come in cherry and maple, as do the optional arms. Finishes vary. 51 Railroad Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940; 888-524-5997; brightchair.com.