Henkel Harris Executive Desk
Vintage 1970s North American Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany
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2010s American Regency Desks
Mahogany
2010s Philippine Regency Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Oak
Vintage 1950s American Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Side Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century North American Chippendale Secretaires
Burl
Vintage 1940s North American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Marble, Steel
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Serving Tables
Brass
Vintage 1910s Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Burl
Vintage 1980s American Federal Desks
Burl
Antique Mid-19th Century English Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Burl, Walnut
Finding the Right sofas for You
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique, new or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.