Napping through history

My growing up years were spent in Mumbai in the 70s and 80s - we lived in an apartment in a middle class suburban community - space was always a constraint in Mumbai as it is today and it was common that a two bedroom home housed families of 5 to 8 folks.

One piece of furniture that was seen in most homes was a diwan (or divan) - usually placed in the living room - it was used as seating during the daytime and doubled up as a bed at the end of the day.

Historically, in Islamic society the term diwan was initially used to mean a 'register' or a logbook. By the 19th century, the term had evolved to be associated with government finance, the chief finance officer was often called a diwan.

A Turkish diwan

Over time the meaning of the term extended to cover the audience chamber of important government officers, whose offices were furnished with mattresses and cushions along the wall - this is how the term became associated with low seating with a mattress and cushions.

Resting couch - ancient Greece

Meanwhile in the western world, in the 16th century, the Greeks Roman and Egyptians had developed resting couches, with the head rest resembling slanting chair backs. These were typically used as a place for leisure and socialising. Around the same time, the French developed the chaise longue (long chair) that enabled a person to rest their legs while sitting.

The modern western equivalent is called a day bed which looks very similar to the indian diwan. I came across all this information, while trying to determine the best design for a day bed in my den - something to take an afternoon nap on, after a satisfying Sunday biryani lunch ! Im going to choose between two designs - one modern and edgy, the other elegant and possibly more comfortable - which would you pick ?

Edgy ...

Elegant ...

...The soul of a tree

...The early bird