Sofas are for lounging or sitting, for waiting or working, for eating or
sleeping. In private spaces, sofas can be the seat of an individual. In
public spaces, they are meant for multiple users. Sofas are comparatively large objects that fill and inherently organize lobbies, living rooms, reception areas and circulation areas. The most important functional aspect of a sofa is whether it is comfortable. As a design statement, sofas can either correspond to the nature of a space, or be a standalone, landmark feature within it. Leather, textile, wood - sofas are produced in an enormous range of materials, textures and colors. These are ten of Archello’s most popular products specified by architects and designers in the past year.
1. Tufty-Time by B&B Italia
Tufty-Time for B&B Italia, by designer Patricia Urquiola, is dually an
expression of the Chesterfield style - that of large, rolled arms the same height as the back - and the classic buttons of the capitonné style. But Tufty-Time is meant to be modern, for a more free and casual lifestyle. The system finds effective answers to the themes of modularity, comfort and removable covers, to create traditional linear sofas, corner sofas, peninsula-shaped compositions and island elements allowing 360-degree seating. The upholstery in fabric or leather is subdivided into large squares that are joined by pleats, which are perforated in the leather version. The series is produced in a range of grays, blacks, reds, yellows, blues, purples, oranges, browns and greens.
2. Togo by Ligne Roset
The French-produced Togo Ligne by Roset, is a collection of all-foam cushion seating with no hard points. Its characteristic design will fit into both traditional and contemporary furnishing styles. Entirely composed of three different densities of polyether and high resilience polyurethane foams, the Togo Ligne features oversized covers that are generously quilted with polyester. The product line includes several sizes for various needs - from the fireside chair of 870mm width, to a large settee without arms of 1740mm width, to corner seats and footstools.
3. Loop by Arper SPA
The Loop, designed by Lievore Altherr Molina for Italian manufacturer Arper Spa, is a harmonious line that, according to Arper, “adds a distinctive touch of style to community spaces, or a warm and attractive furnishing scheme lending a stylish touch to the home.” Loop’s soft, elegant lines are a stylish expression of Arper’s departure in the divan and sofa segment: modular and fitted for contract projects or two- or three-seaters for domestic settings. The Loop has a padded wooden frame mounted on a brushed steel structure, with steel or aluminum feet. It is upholstered in a wide range of fabrics, with custom upholstery and fully-removable velcro-fastened covers available as options. System elements include both short and long segments, concave and convex corner units and arm rest ends that can be attached or detached.
4. Groundpiece by Flexform
A best-seller from the Italian manufacturer Flexform, the Groundpiece is a low and deep sofa type designed for relaxation in a casual setting. It features a metal frame with foam polyurethane padding, covered with a protective fabric lining and upholstery produced as removable fabrics or leather covers. Seat cushions are filled with down, and have a resilient inner core. Backrest cushions are also down-filled, with or without a bolster in dacron. The armrest is in fabric with a metal insert and foam polyurethane padding, and the feet are metal, treated with epoxy lacquer. The sofa includes a bookshelf or small end table that is produced as a frame in metal covered with hide leather or suede.
5. Extrasoft by Living Divani
Extrasoft, an indoor-outdoor sofa designed by Piero Lissoni for Italian manufacturer Living Divani, is a modular seating option known for its informal look - a bestseller and icon of the company. The indoor sofa product has a frame in double-paneled poplar and pine, with a support in cross-woven coated rubber elastic straps and padding in differentiated density polyurethane foam, topped with a quilted mat in goose down and layers of acrylic fiber. The outdoor product is built on a frame of marine plywood. Its padding has an open cell structure of polyurethane foam covered with a heat- sealed waterproof fabric. Both versions feature black adjustable PVC feet and upholstery that is fully removable by Velcro fastenings.
6. Charles by B&B Italia
The Charles is a modular and corner sofa line designed by Antonio
Citterio for B&B Italia. It has a visual lightness thanks to its inverted,
L- shaped feet, as well as its single seat-cushion backrest. The Charles
is built on Bayfit® flexible cold shaped polyurethane foam and includes a family of elements that meet various furnishing requirements. It is produced with leather or fabric upholstery in ranges of grays, blacks, reds, yellows, blues, purples, oranges, browns and greens. Its feet come in bronzed nickel painted, bright brushed or painted black chrome die-cast aluminum.
7. Saari by Arper SPA
The Saari Collection by Arper Spa is a seating system of chairs, armchairs, bucket seats, one-, two- and three-seat sofas and benches designed for restaurants, bars, hotels and lobbies. A synthesis of classic and contemporary, the Saari has a sculptural shape enhanced by a wide range of colors and materials. It is built on a wood and metal frame upholstered in fabric or leather, and mounted on a four-leg steel base which can be lacquered, chromed or veneered. The armchair and bucket chair are also available with trestle base, with or without castors.
8. Outline Sofa by Muuto
Muuto is a Scandinavian design company based in Copenhagen. Its Outline Sofa line contains straight and corner sofas designed by Anderssen & Voll. The aesthetic is visually light and elegant, featuring slim proportions for a simple look, complemented by a generously deep seat and slender legs. It features a black powder-coated or polished aluminum base with wood and steel construction and cold foam filling. The Muuto line is produced with textiles from the companies Kvadrat or Arve, or leathers selected from premium leather suppliers.
9. Soft Dream by Flexform
Flexform’s Soft Dream product is a versatile sofa designed for a range
of settings. It is lightweight, set on elegant cast-metal gray or bronze
painted feet available in a satin, chrome, burnished, champagne or black chrome finish. Its structure rests on a cowhide-upholstered metal base and features soft, generously-filled goose-down seat and seat back cushions. The armrests come in high and low versions and the sofa is available in ‘double depths’ of 94cm or 110cm.
10. Ploum by Ligne Roset
Designed by R.& E. Bouroullec for the French manufacturer Ligne Roset, the Ploum sofa features a special combination of two materials - a stretchable covering in APPA fabric, and ultra-soft foam - to provide additional comfort and accommodate various seating needs for up to four people. The large settee is asymmetrical in construction with the right-hand backrest higher than the left, and the right-hand seat deeper than the left. The structure is a combination of steel tubing, wire and mesh, which supports a seat and integral back in high resilience polyurethane Bultex foam. The fabric is a double-layer quilted weave.
