After years of attending High Point Furniture Market, trade shows and visiting showrooms galore, I have had plenty of time to hone my eye for upholstery. I find my tastes have changed over the years, and currently I am really liking tight-backed sofas and chairs, and pieces with a cleaner silhouette. I am in the process of an apartment overhaul and carefully considering everything I choose. As I think about what I would like to live with, I have taken a deep dive into the subject. Examining proportion, pitch, length and depth in small, right-sized sofas and upholstered chairs, I seek pieces to complement city apartment living. Tight back, loose back, the reverse, tufting or not, roll arm or straight, exposed leg or skirt? Here is what I have come up with, and as you can see, there is no shortage of great pieces that fit the bill. I hope it will help you when making decisions for clients and your home. Being that the sofa is often the star of the living room, it is an important, considered purchase.
The only hard part is choosing!
TIGHT BACK SOFAS:
Photo courtesy of Century Furniture
The Berry Sofa from
Century Furniture has a chalk white leg and long seat cushion that I love. Pared down chic.
Photo courtesy of Wesley Hall
If you prefer two cushions, here you go.
Wesley Hall does a loose seat tight back version, 1742-77 with deep sink-into cushions.
Photo courtesy of Lee Industries
Photo courtesy of Cisco Brothers
The Geranium Sofa by John Derian for
Cisco Brothers with a high arm and minimal decorative accents is reminiscent of an early American design.
Photo courtesy of Century Furniture
The Oscar de la Renta designed Dutch Sofa for
Century Furniture. I sat in it today at NYDC 200 Lex and I love it.
Photo courtesy of Lee Industries
A nice thick, long cushion to sink into for naps on
Lee Industries 3278-11 sofa makes it a contender.
Photo courtesy of Cisco Brothers
The Meadow Sofa from John Derian for
Cisco Brothers can take lots of pillows.
Photo courtesy of Kravet
Kravet's Tulane Sofa with nice turned leg and roll arm with tight back and seat for perching is perfect for one stop shopping- get your fabric and upholstery all in one showroom.
Photo courtesy of Drexel Heritage
Drexel Heritage's Tisbury Sofa with a roll arm and two pillows is another great option.
Photo courtesy of Century Furniture
Century Furniture's Oldfield Sofa with a cross stretcher base and casters comes with two bolster pillows.
Photo courtesy of Wesley Hall
Ooh more bolsters! High sides and a tight back on the 1840-72 settee from
Wesley Hall for those that want a piece with an historically-evocative silhouette.
Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair
Hickory Chair's Monroe Sofa by Suzanne Kasler has a loose seat, tight back, exposed leg and curved arm.
Photo courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Howard
Sherrill Furniture's new Mr. and Mrs. Howard line is easy to love, as is this pared down chic two seater sofa with clean roll arm and light wood base with turned legs.
EXPOSED WOOD LEG SOFAS:
Photo courtesy of Lee Industries
A straight arm and loose seat and back on a Lee Industries Apartment sofa mean movie watching comfort. If skirts are not your thing, this has enough interest going on at the base.
Sink into a three seater, The Pelham, with loose seat and back from
Kravet. A Lawson sofa is always a good way to go for a more masculine look.
Photo courtesy of Jonathan Adler
The Templeton Apartment sofa by
Jonathan Adler for some mid-century flair.
LOVESEATS:
Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair
The addition of the tape trim at the bottom adds that extra special detail.
Photo courtesy of Lee Industries
A nice two seater with straight arm from Lee
Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair
Mariette Himes Gomez designed this girly Boudoir Loveseat for
Hickory Chair with a sweet pleat
Sometimes a small kidney loveseat is just the thing.
Oomph's new Tini Loveseat would work at the end of a bed as well as in a second seating layout in a larger room.
Photo courtesy of Century Furniture
Photo courtesy of Kravet
The La Salle armless sofa from
Kravet is great for the foot of the bed. Cushiony cozy too.
Photo courtesy of Wesley Hall
A tight seat and tight high back on
Wesley Hall's 700-54 settee makes it a good piece for a hallway. The curved apron is a nice touch.
TUFTED SOFAS:
Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair
Hickory Chair's Marler Tufted Apartment Sofa is a classic and refined for a sitting area or a nice add on in a bedroom seating arrangement.
Photo courtesy of Wesley Hall
Another classic tufted choice,
Wesley Hall's 1740-77 sofa.
Photo courtesy of Lee Industries
Tufted with a tight seat this sofa 1331-03 by
Lee Industries is gracious and the tailored skirt gives it polish.
SITTING PRETTY:
Photo courtesy of Dwell Studio
Dwell Studio's Mallory Chair has a touch of mid-century modness with tapered leg and cut out back.
Photo courtesy of Jayson Home
Milo Baughman-inspired, The Clarke Chair from
Jayson Home rocks.
Photo courtesy of Lee Industries
I like the mid- century- meets- arts- and- crafts lines of this
Lee Industries 1290-01 chair.
TUFTED BACK CHAIRS:
Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair
Cozy for reading,
Hickory's Holly Chair designed by Mariette Himes Gomez is like a tufted marshmallow. I mean that in the best way--
Photo courtesy of Mr. Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Howard for Sherrill Furniture had a slightly deco rounded arm that worked well with a turned wooden leg and base.
but let's not forget the fun patterned bedding that put Dwell Studio on the map just several or so years ago. It is featured prominently on the bookcase covered walls, fitted with brass accents and library ladders for easy access.
