bloom fresco chrome chair

I’m a big fan of modern baby gear, so as soon as I saw the bloom fresco chrome, I knew it was the highchair for me. (Well, for my baby.) Choosing a color was tough because they have so many options (see them all here), but I finally settled on the mercury frame paired with a coconut white seat pad starter kit. When I walk through the kitchen and see this beauty sitting by the bar, I’m not at all disappointed by my choice.

Our chair arrived in three separate boxes, and while putting it together wasn’t the easiest thing I’ve ever done, it feels very firm and sturdy once together. I found the manual a little confusing—although I appreciated its minimal, modern art-inspired appeal—but, luckily for visual learners such as myself, there’s a video that moves you through the process one step at a time and was very helpful. I had the whole thing together in less than an hour.

This contemporary chair claims to be the highest baby chair in the world; since my husband and I are both over 6 feet tall, we’re pretty pleased with this feature. If you’d prefer it a little shorter, though, you’ll appreciate the pneumatic ease with which the chair moves up and down. It sits comfortably at counters, dining tables or at a low, kid-friendly height for older users. (It’s suitable for kids up to 8 years!) It also boasts a 360-degree swivel, which is a fun feature.

The fresco chrome includes three reclining positions: newborn cradle, semi recline and upright. Since I got the chair when my daughter was about 7 months old, I’ve only played with the cradle and semi recline modes and haven’t used them firsthand. However, we’re planning to add to our family, and this is a feature I’m looking forward to utilizing with our next baby. Since it’s nice and high, it’ll keep the newbie out of reach of his or her big sister—and out of licking zone of our tall Lab (a luxury that, sadly, my oldest did not enjoy).

My daughter loves using the chair in its upright position. I can only imagine that it’s comfortable—she is never in a hurry to get out, even after she’s finished her meal. It has a 5-point safety harness, removable straps (so you can take them out when baby is older), a removable aluminum safety bar and an adjustable footrest. The tray is great: very large and scratch resistant. A second, smaller “play tray” is included. Both trays are made from FDA food-grade plastic and stainless steel and are dishwasher safe. (To clean the rest of the chair, I just wipe it down with a damp, soapy rag.)

The fresco chrome comes on wheels so you can easily move it when necessary (they’re smartly hidden in the base so they aren’t an eyesore). Another hidden gem is an internal compartment that stores the additional parts required for transforming the chair from a highchair to a kid chair. (Such a smart idea—I can never find that kind of stuff when I need it!)

There are some nice accessories available for this chair, including differently sized seat pads, a cool merino wool seat liner and a newborn-friendly head rest.

Overall, this chair is a really attractive, solid option. It is expensive, but I’m confident that we’ll use it for years (and kids!) to come, which will make it a worthwhile investment. It’s not a cheap seat in either construction or budget (it feels a whole lot more solid than my sister’s significantly cheaper plastic seat), and you know the saying: You get what you pay for. If you appreciate fine design and modern baby gear, check out the bloom fresco chrome. It’s a stunner for sure.

Price: $650
To buy: amazon.com