"East Meets West" Carpet Sofa by Tonio de Roover

We recently looked at the classic Mah Jong sofas (a prime example of hippie chic) and while these are a totally different design concept, a similar great high end...

... mixed with patchouli aesthetic informs these sofas. Designed by Tonio de Roover in 2006, they are currently making the blog rounds.

Our take on these is that they are intended as more of an art installation than as a prototype for a "real" furniture piece, but the style is fabulous. A complete mashup of old and new, decoration and minimalism, traditional and modern....and it looks like it would be pretty comfy with a couple of throw pillows.

More info on the artist: Tonio de Roover

Comments (6)

Oh I think these are amazing! Would look great contrasted against a black leather sofa and maybe a shag rug. I also like kilim pillows as a way to lean rug-cum-upholstery.

posted by kimg924 on March 5th 2008 at 6:12am
view kimg924's profile

i'm on the fence on this - i can't help but think how sore i would be if i had to sit in it for very long because by nature, i imagine it has to be fairly stiff due to the construction and its theme. if it were any thicker than carpet, it would lose it's aesthetic...so...yeah.

i wonder how it would look in an actual room with other furnishings. i had to temporarily store my oriental rug because it didn't match my furniture....so i can only imagine how difficult it may be to match this piece with other furnishings AND a rug on the floor.

posted by tamara on March 5th 2008 at 6:41am
view tamara's profile

yeah, i'm on the fence too. i'm actually surprised no one has designed this before. it's almost an 'of course!' product. just make sure you have comfy pillows to accompany it. i know this is irrational thinking on my part, but i just can't get past the 'sense' that it's somehow 'dirty' (it is a rug and my mind isn't bending far enough to accept it as a seat).. i am not ready to sit on it and lean back on it yet.

posted by *heather leaf* on March 5th 2008 at 6:51am
view *heather leaf*'s profile

Would make great seating for "magic carpet ride" themed restaurant/lounge.

Not for residential..IMO.

posted by PlanItGirl on March 5th 2008 at 7:15am
view PlanItGirl's profile

Ew--not crazy about this.

posted by Christine (the one in DC) on March 5th 2008 at 7:46am
view Christine (the one in DC)'s profile

The hookah lounge called. They want their furniture back.

posted by tyniapt on March 5th 2008 at 10:20am
view tyniapt's profile