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10 Modern Sofas We Love
September 3, 2015
The living room sofa is one of the most important furnishings in a home. It has to be inviting, comfortable, and set the tone for the decor of the interior. These ten sofas include distinctive designs from The Future Perfect, Normann Copenhagen, and Softline alongside classics from Onecollection, Artek, Ercol, and Thayer Coggin. From bright to neutral, sculptural to streamlined, these sofas offer something for every design seeker.
Inspired by her experience growing up in the 1970s as the daughter of an interior decorator, designer Lindsey Adelman created the Tardi Sofa—smartly named because “it took a damn long time.” The sensible silhouette is punctuated by the sofa’s playful colorway, evoking an element of surprise and irreverence while adding visual intrigue to any decor.
Inspired by a 1950s sofa designed by Milo Baughman, the Button Up Sofa is a sophisticated furnishing that prominently displays the sofa frame and cushions. Featuring updated enhancements by Guy Hill—current Design Director for Thayer Coggin—the Button Up Sofa exudes comfort while maintaining crisp, modern lines.
Designed by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1960, the Kiki Sofa is a clean, minimal sofa that can be integrated into any existing environment. Plush yet refined, the Kiki Sofa is crafted with lacquered steel tubing and features an upholstered soft polyurethane foam cushion wrapped in inviting wool or elegant leather.
Three-seater shown. Also available in a two-seater option.
Finn Juhl designed the Poet Sofa for his own home in 1941. Inspired by the modern free art movement, which influenced much of Juhl’s designs, the sofa has a decidedly sculptural shape that rests on four walnut legs. Today, the sofa represents a part of Danish cultural history and modern furniture that exudes the values of craftsmanship, thoughtful design, supreme function, and aesthetic appeal.
Created by designer Simon Legald for Normann Copenhagen, the Onkel (Danish for “uncle”) Sofa combines the ornate and curvaceous upholstered sofas of the 1950s with the refinement of contemporary Nordic design. To signal the marriage of these two sources of inspiration, the back cushion is seamlessly integrated into the sofa’s frame, lending cohesive elegance and refinement to this thoughtful design.
The Baker Sofa was originally designed by Finn Juhl for Baker Furniture Inc. in 1951. The sofa is comprised of sculptural components that were inspired by modern free art. The Baker Sofa has an upholstered body that is divided into two sections that rest on a simple wood frame crafted in rich walnut. This technique—separating the elements from each other—was devised to create a visual lightness within the sofa.
A part of the ercol Originals collection, the Studio Couch was designed by Lucian R. Ercolani in 1958. The versatile sofa is defined by its attractive steam bent frame comprised of tapered spindles, arched arm rests, and a rounded frame. The Studio Couch was designed for both function as a large sofa and as an extra single bed for guests.
Launched in 2013, each Woodgate Sofa by designer Terence Woodgate is made with an FSC-approved beech wood frame, jute, and elasticated webbing that is covered with a mix of renewable materials including natural fibers, animal hair, and wool. The Woodgate Sofa’s design features subtle curves to balance the rectangular nature of the couch, creating an inviting and polished furnishing.
Two-seater sofa shown. Also available in three-seater and four-seater options.
Designed by Russell Pinch for The Future Perfect, the Goddard Sofa blends bohemian glamour with superlative comfort. A sprung back and seat provide support while plush cushioning enables luxurious comfort. The sofa’s silhouette and walnut legs add understated elegance to any room’s decor.
The Cord Sleeper Series was designed by busk+Hertzog for Softline and is available as a full sofa or as a lounge chair. The Cord Sleeper Sofa is an innovative sofa bed that is designed to communicate with urban living—it has a slim profile and folds into a smaller footprint than typical double beds.
Inspired by her experience growing up in the 1970s as the daughter of an interior decorator, designer Lindsey Adelman created the Tardi Sofa—smartly named because “it took a damn long time.” The sensible silhouette is punctuated by the sofa’s playful colorway, evoking an element of surprise and irreverence while adding visual intrigue to any decor.
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