Like many vices of youth, my habit of smoking quality cigars once or twice a month endured full dissipation and disappearance by the onset of my fourth decade, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get the occasional yen. Nor does it mean I can’t fully appreciate the dashing Hedra Cigar Armchair by designer nolen niu.

Hedra. Designed by Nolen Niu.

Hedra Updates the Classic Cigar Chair

Back in the day, my typical cigar ritual involved a plastic deck chair and a cool summer breeze, but had I the means, I definitely would have partaken of Hedra’s upscale ambiance and timeless appearance. The chair, with its soft-seated interior and handsome wooden laminate shell, is apropos of a certain mature yet still eminently hip aesthetic—when I envision Hedra’s ideal user, my mind wanders to a frosty Dos Equis and the grainy mise en scene of “the most interesting man in the world.”

No doubt that particular icon of millennial manhood would appreciate Hedra’s skillful synthesis of ergonomics and high style, its deft evocation of the past in the context of the present, its ultra-fine craftsmanship and easy adaptability to a variety of interior décor.

The Hedra Armchair takes its name from its distinctive six-sided silhouette. The term, dating from the ancient Greek, translates as “face of a geometrical solid.” nolen niu offers several fabulous finishes for Hedra’s particular geometry, including Macassar, Mahogany, Maple, Walnut, Wenge, and White Oak. The soft seat is finished in your choice of standard contract fabric, Maharam Hallingdal wool, or ELMOsoft leather.

About the Manufacturer: After putting in some time as a custom designer and fabricator for both commercial and residential venues, designer Nolen Niu decided to take things to the next level. This means the designer’s (and the company’s) exciting line of quality upholstered goods is available throughout the U.S. Based in L.A., nolen niu’s collection is designed and manufactured exclusively in Southern California. This local ethos is a fitting complement to Niu’s reputation for quality work: “an astute attention to detail such as straight seam lines, sharp stitching, and taut surfaces are all characteristics of every Nolen Niu piece.”