Wharton Esherick Important Sofa
Vintage 1950s American American Craftsman Sofas
Poplar, Tulipwood, Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Sofas
Bronze, Copper, Pewter
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Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary French Books
Other
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Birch
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Beech
Vintage 1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
Spruce
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Chestnut
Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
2010s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Composition
Finding the Right sofas for You
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique 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. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. 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.
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