Q: Should I buy a "vintage" Englander brand 80s sectional? Two aspects to my question, quality of manufacturer and wear, and then how the style reads (albeit based on poor photos).
I've been looking to buy a large/low sectional for our basement living room for six months or so. We like modern and fairly minimalist (not extreme), with a few "pops" and a mid-century modern twist here and there. We're trying to go with long low lines (ala mid-century) especially as ceiling are only 7 feet in the room where this is going in the newly finished basement.
I often check out sectionals on Craiglist and this one is too good to pass up without seriously considering. It's "Englander" brand (but I can find references to England brand or Englander mattresses only-- not sure if these are related companies?). I can't find info on whether this was/is a quality manufacturer, especially c1985.
I think I need some fresh eyes. I will be checking out wear, color, fabric, etc. in person and welcome tips on what to look for BUT what I want to know most from you all is how this sofa reads. Assume it is only reasonably worn (I can restuff cushions if needed) and I like the color when I see it in person. Is it:
Cool, slightly slouchy with good long low lines and a pretty light gold color? Or totally outdated and worn out, with a body style better left in the 80s?
Sent by Nicole
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That thing is hideous!
leave it. please.
Do you really need us to tell you how horrible that couch looks... or that no one should be looking for a yellow sectional? Is there no one else in your life to run this by?
Don't do it!! That thing's so ugly, it might jinx you.
I think in all honesty if you re-stuffed the cushions it would be do-able. A lot of people see this as tired and ugly but I think at the right price it would be okay. Also I imagine that the photo quality is somewhat bad and that it’s hopefully a richer color in person.
It looks ugly to me. But if it's super cheap and you need a place to sit then take it and keep looking!
I love it. Simple lines and low. I'd be happy to drink a Kahlua on the rocks on that bad boy.
When did "80s" become "vintage"?
I wonder if this question came in a month ago, too? Given that it's craigslist, the couch could be long gone or purchased by the question-asker. XD
What makes this couch so attractive to you, considering you're not even familiar with the manufacturer? Is it free? Maybe you do not live in LA, but surely reasonably-priced and attractive sectionals come up on CL all the time? Or are the dimensions of this one just perfect for the room you want it in?
(Please pass on this. XD I think it would cost you more to rehabilitate it than it would to just find a better piece.)
Leave it and never look back!
A few considerations:
1. It's going to be in the basement, not in your formal front parlor, so there's probably a different standard for style here.
2. It looks pretty comfortable. I can see it working well with friends, drinks, a good movie on a large TV set and/or kids.
3. How well it fits into your decor will depend (naturally) on what the rest of the room looks like.
If it's in good enough shape and you like it, I say go for it!
That is a LOT of couch. Even if the color is better in person, I'm not sure I'd do it. Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. But I would probably wonder what else you're doing... if this is for a basement den (with a different colored carpet - yikes!) then *maybe*. But you'd have to go for the lounge-y vibe with lots of throw pillows and art and a carpet to make this work. On its own it's not really a statement piece. For a main living space - too much couch!
Run as fast as you can, and slap yourself for even asking!
No. Just no. That looks like 20 hours of work to get away from "scary" and triple that, plus large expenditures, to near "minimalist" or MCM. Step away from the beige velour.
don't buy that. hideous. this belongs into the category "there is a reason why people get rid of it". (and +1 on 80th is not vintage)
I like it.
1) You will have to replace the foam. 30-year old foam is deteriorating, even if it was seldom used.
2) You will need to reupholster. This sofa will require a lot of fabric, though the lines are simple so that will help with cost.
Really, folks, we all regularly see much worse transformed into a work of art.
It has good, clean lines & you say you can enhance the cushions. If it seems in decent enough shape after an inspection, I'd say the quality of the mfr becomes a non-issue (hey, it's lasted this long!)
A quick, inexpensive update would be to cover the base w/your fabric of choice (hello staple gun) & toss on lots of coordinating & contrasting pillows that work with your other decor.
Ignore the nay-sayers & get yourself there to meet it up close & personal. Oh, & be sure to post *after* pics if you bring it home! (bet you'll get different responses THEN ;]
I'd buy it only if it was a reasonable price and you don't have carpeted floor (carpet+massive sectional = much too much fabric!). I'd also throw some interesting blue & magenta throw pillows on the big bad boy.
@discerning
Covering the base with fabric doesn't really sound cheap... depending on the fabric, even if you find a cheap one you look, look how much fabric that would be.
I hate most 80s stuff, but this doesn't immediately scram 80s to me. It's not overstuffed or peach or aqua colored. It actually looks really comfortable and if you add some nice throw pillows it could work out, IMO.
Bottom line, if YOU like it, get it. Eventually, 80s style will cease to be revolting and you're gonna see everyone on AT raving about late century modern ;-)
No. For the price to re-stuff and reupholster, etc. you could buy a perfectly good looking newer sofa.
it wont be worth it to replace the foam. I would add stuffing with upholstery batting, and clean it. It depends on how cheap you can get it and if your basement gets water in it forget it. I would never put it in my basement because if there was any flood it would be impossible to get out. If all you are going to do is have a bunch of kids and dogs jump on it it is fine if you can get it cheap and clean it.
leave it.
I am all for making over something drab to fab. But I cant honestly find anything redeeming about this poor couch. It needs to be put out of its misery.
The amount it would cost to reupholster would amount to a new sectional. Plus all those seat cushions? I guess you could turn the seating into one long cushion...but I still see it as being cost prohibitive to what the actual outcome would be.
In this case its not a good bones/could be good piece that needs salvaging. sorry.
Leave it! It's ugly. It's in bad shape. It's slouchy so will not be comfortable. It's big so will be a pain to get rid of when you are tired of it in a couple of months. It might be cheap - but expensive in the long run. If you decide to reupholster, it can cost $2,000.
Keep looking. Vintage 50s is much better quality than this.
Craigslist is full of beautiful sectionals in much better shape... why take one that needs so much care?
(That said, assuming the photo is making it look shlubbier than it is, that sectional could look very cool in the right room.)
It only works if you're going for a kitsch look.
What about bedbugs?
There is a free couch on Craigslist LA nearly every day. Many of them look to be in better shape than that one. I would only take it if it was free.
Leave it. Just because it's old does not mean it's "vintage".
Yikes. No. Even if it is free, you could likely find a better giveaway.
Do you happen to live in the Detroit area? I remember there was a nice upscale furniture store called Englander. (I'm not sure if it's still around since I'm no longer living there.) If it came from there I'm certain it was a very good quality product to begin with. Unless the fabric is worn or not an acceptable color (the photos actually look promising to me) replacing the seat cushions and adding a little stuffing to the back one seems like a viable option. I would definitlely investigate further!
yeah right. An 80s couch. And get yourself a perm while you are at it.
Good clean lines? I don't see it. In fact, I think that's the problem with it...the cushions have anything but. There *were* sectionals that looked good from that era, but I'm not seeing it here.
We actually owned a sectional that looked exactly like this in the 1990's (hand me down from my mom, who may have purchased it used)...
Be patient, keep looking. That color is dreadful.
bedbugs are my top concern, and also the cost of redoing it, restuffing etc. you could buy a brand new one! unless it ewas free, of course.
Not only would I not consider buying it, I wouldn't take it for FREE. That wasn't stylish when it was new.
Hi Nicole... funny thing is, my boyfriend has this exact couch. We're getting ready to move in together next month, and that couch is coming with us. I had really hoped to upgrade, but as it turns out, we are both attached to how comfy and useful it is. Plus I think it's going to go pretty well with our dark wood furniture, exposed beams, vintage-y collections, area rug, and b&w artwork. Mostly I'm hoping it will sort of disappear into the background :) ~Nicole
OMG, don't do it. If you want something low to the ground and comfy to just plop down on, but don't want to spend a lot of money...Build Something!
We had a couch like that growing up. It was SOOOOOOO comfortable. best naps of my life, hands down.
I have to say no.