A very good example of fine lines in an unpretentious sofa may be found in the two-seat model covered in dark-grounded cretonne here shown in the three-quarter size, but obtainable also in the larger style. There is a fineness of proportion and a lack of overweight, emphasized by such desirable details as the thin rolled arm and the French foot; and great comfort is guaranteed I by the semidetached extra section of down filling in the back, constructed so that it attains grace rather than heaviness. This is the sort of sofa that might be used in any kind of room; and pieces of this general type come in all sorts of prices, assuming whatever character is desired through the presence of certain details and by the type of covering that is selected. Without materially changing its character such a sofa may have a different foot, an uneven headline with flat upholstery, and more flare of arm, still keeping to the idea of moderate over-stuffing and well-designed proportions. Chosen in the proper length, a sofa of this sort would be neither too heavy nor too slight for any type room in which it was to be used, and there could be no gain in choosing a bulkier style.

SOFAS which have more flare of line may be seen in the Virginia sofa, shown in connection with the tiptop table and atlas globe, and the Georgian sofa reminiscent of Chippendale and Queen Anne. The Virginia sofa shows a frame of brown mahogany carved very slightly as befits its modified character; and it is covered in a black-grounded tapestry accented by a design of tan. Such a sofa could be used in any living room in which it was desired to stress a late eighteenth or early nineteenth century American character. Mahogany secretaries with small-paned doors, Governor Winthrop desks, Duncan Phyfe tables, tiptops, wing chairs, the more delicate Windsors and gateleg tables, all fall into the picture readily and delightfully. The Georgian sofa is more formal, especially so since it is covered in soft red damask, and might find itself very happily at home in the living room which prided itself on simple pieces of William and Mary and Queen Anne furniture. A seventeenth-century wing chair of English type, a Chinese cabinet and a pair of French chests might suggest a desirable grouping. By changing the type of covering material, however, from damask to a plain frizette or machine-woven needle-point, this sofa would lend distinction as well as comfort to any walnut-furnished living room.

For the informal early American living room, or for any bedroom at all, the quaint small sofa with the slightly “scooped” back is very desirable. Suitably covered, and used with maple, it will prove that sofas do not have to be “grand” to attain distinction, but that they may follow the character of any simple furnishing with such suitable charm that distinction will be gained at once.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 at 4:43 am and is filed under Furniture, Interior Decoration. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Comments and pings are closed.

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