Questions, questions, questions! We're getting a great deal of questions - good ones - so we're going to post "Good Questions" three times a week: Mon, Wed, Fri. More than that seems too much right now. Having a group to answer questions is incredibly helpful, so pelase continue to answer anything you can. This one for furniture geeks only.... MGR
I'm looking for a "J" shaped sofa / chaise that has one armrest, a partial back, and the other side without an armrest. I want to be able to use this either as a chaise or as a sofa for at least 2 people to sit on comfortably with back support. My furniture is mostly mid-century / Danish Modern, so I would like something that would go with that -- not traditional, Victorian, etc. I'm hoping to find something under $1200, ideally.
Dunbar has reissued a piece that would be perfect but it's around five grand (above).
A while back I remember reading on your site a comment from a reader where he/she mentioned a furniture store in Colorado (I think) that had a piece that could work. I bookmarked the store's site and now I can't find the bookmark. I think this discussion was part of the ongoing "Sofa Quest" or "Small Sofa Competition," but I can't find this mention in either one in your archive.
Thanks, Robert
I don't really know exactly what Danish Modern is, but I really like Lofgren's Milan and the price is right.
http://lofgrens.com/FabricSect/MilanSect.html
I've seen the J-shaped chaise at the BoConcept Store. It's the first sofa you see when you walk in. It's attached to a small sofa so it looks like a sectional but you can buy the piece separately.
Were you thinking of Room & Board? I believe they have some contenders. roomandboard.com
Also, (but not sure it would come in under $1200), Portico has a chaise or two that might work. They don't always have everything they offer available on the sales floor, but ask the manager about what chaises they have; they usually have tear sheets to reference; Portico's Jasper chaise (in two sizes) a possibility. They also seem to have pretty frequent custom upholstery sales.
And Crate and Barrel just came out with a chaise in the configuration you describe (not as mid-century funky as the sample, but...):
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/itemgroups/5182_0.asp?query=chaise&DIMID=&Page=1&fromLocation=Search
CB2 offers the Annex chaise, but without the corner arm configuration:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=102&f=140&q=chaise&fromLocation=Search
and possibly something at DWR.com, but not sure about price range there (just what exactly does their "Within Reach" refer to, btw?!)
I'd also suggest Dune, Antik or The Terrence Conran Shop.
Good luck!
(and ps, MGR: I love it when you call us "furniture geeks!")
This may be a little too on the low end, but with the right upholsterer and throw pillows, you could transform this day bed into your J sofa/chaise.
http://ww2.westelm.com/cat/pip.cfm?template=8grid&pkey=cslefrn&gids=p570&cid=slefrn&area=shp
You might also look into Todd Oldham's Snap sofa too at http://www.lazboy.com. the pattern fabrics are a little garish but there are a lot of more restrained choices. You can make the J Shape configuration on that model. But it will be more than what you want to spend.
I also seem to remember seeing something similar at Jonathan Adler too, but definitely more than the target price of 1200.
Just saw the configuration you describe in a Ligne Roset ad, but that also may be past your price cap.
This just in, at CB2.com:
Chameleon Sofa
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=102&f=1127
As a side note to patrick's comment "just what exactly does their 'Within Reach' refer to?" (refering to DWR): after hearing this comment for the umpteenth time, here is what "Design Within Reach" is all about. This is quoted from the website:
"Design Within Reach provides easy access to well-designed furnishings traditionally found only in designer showrooms. We are a one-stop resource for some of the most exciting furniture designers internationally. Founder Rob Forbes, a professional designer himself, sums it up this way: "The desire to deliver great products to a broader group of people and to elevate the interest in legitimate design has been here since the Bauhaus. Our goal is simply to accelerate the way that design gets to the public and to take advantage of the most current technology in this process. In Europe, furniture design is taken more seriously and the public has greater access to well-designed products. We expect to emulate that."
I ordered an eames dining table round from herman miller and it took 5 weeks. If I would have ordered it from DWR it would have taken 3-10 days, but it would have cost more money. THAT is what "Within Reach" stands for.
I have just read the comments on Bo!
As always I think it always goes nuts - people get more and more negative.
Normally I read pages like this, but I would never write. So this situation is an exeption - I only write because everybody is son negative all the time.
3 weeks ago I got my furniture from Bo.
There was a problem on one of the chairs. The delivery crew got hold of it right away - I was contacted - by a guy in a warehouse in NJ and 2 weeks after Igot a new chair.
I am positive and I will do business there again!
I was worried about some posts about post-sales service, but BoConcept's people were terrific. I ordered a sofa, dining table and chair. While the Lind sofa arrived about 2 weeks late (12 instead of 10 weeks after ordering), the delivery/assembly team was on time and friendly. The mid-priced leather I chose (which was nicer than the more expensive options I thought)looks great. It's stitched beautifully and the sofa (with a chaise built in)is solid and the perfect bachelor pad furniture I wanted. It came in pieces that were simple to transport in my building's small elevators. The delivery guys also did an expert job of assembling the complicated expanding dining table. In short competitive, relatively affordable prices for great design and friendly service from start to finish. Overall quality of store's merchandise seemed to vary greatly when I shopped the showroom, but if you stick to the items that seem well-made, I think the store is a winner.
Why hasn't anyone stated the obvious, if you want Danish modern. Buy vintage.
There are tons of companies reissuing modern "style" items but if you want real danish mod, buy orignial Danish mod.
We have a Danish mod daybed in stock with HairPin Iron legs and it's just under 400.
Thanks!
Why not buy vintage?
Vintage is great and not so great. We have a stunning 4 piece knoll bastiano living room set in solid rosewood, as well as a rosewood plywood eames lounge with original down cushions and a saarinen womb chair. All are early 60's issues in great condition. Everyone loves them until they sit down. Itchy wool fabric and 'dead' padding. The cost to properly refurbish the foam and fabric/leather on a vintage piece is considerable. Replacing the bastiano's leather cushions alone will cost over 7k. Worse, an altered vintage piece may lose much of its value.
The furniture and fabrics of today are much more comfortable and better wearing, and there is so much fantastic design out there now. Today's great design is tomorrow's vintage piece.
Looking for a mid-century Rosewood credenza. Any ideas of where to find one?
I am actually looking for a chaise myself ... it does not have to be Danish modern. Has anyone come across a chaise with clean lines and chrome nails? Tufted would be an added bonus! Thanks!
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