Our house has a bit of an obsessive compulsive disorder, Ok, really it's just me - I latch onto an idea and it says until I purchase or solve the problem at hand. For the last two years it's been about a modern banquette for my dining nook which is 8' x 8'.
Of course I have decided that this banquette issue would make me a better hostess, a better chef and all my friends would visit and love me more than they already do. These outrageous fantasies perpetuate any of my large purchases [aka most recently an insanely expensive pair of shoes].
The issue with talking myself into this purchase is that I can't rationalize purchasing a piece of furniture that will need to be custom built for a place I don't own [never mind I've been here for 5 years and have no plans on moving].
So the dream continues to grow and I keep hoping that a magical craigslisting will appear just for me that doesn't look like it came from Pizza Hut. A modern clean lined banquette just perfectly fitted to my space. I just opened my Domino magazine last night and what do my eyes see but two of the most perfect custom banquettes ever. At price tags of $4200 [excluding fabric/orange] and $2145 [excluding fabric/ cream] I cry for wanting, and cry for the perfection of both of them. The dream will go on, and I'm still talking to some sources about how to do it for less. Readers any design obessions you just can't let go of?
photo credits:
top two images: An eye for I:nterior
orange: Domino Oct 07' photograph by Laura Resen
cream: Domino Oct 07' photography by Paul Costello
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Richele, Save yourself some money by visiting used restaurant supply stores. In the past I have seen many different booth configurations and banquette benches ripped out of closed restaurants. You may have to reupolster though. Good luck.
I stalk the Room and Board sectional Klein
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=90514153&cat=58
on a weekly basis, much for the same reason that you fantasize about your banquet.
I dream of intimate yet energetic Scrabble-gatherings. Friends would pass a bowl of popcorn back and forth to each other while discussing the use or misuse of the 2-letter word list. In reality, we're all so damn busy that I would most likely use the sofa to collapse after a trying day in NYC.
The sofa represents the positive and enjoyable life changes I'm hoping to make (less work, more fun apartment time). For now, I'll have to settle for my somewhat un-cozy loveseat from my past life in a studio.
In closing, I totally feel what you're saying.
Peace.
I too am dreaming of a banquette.
Are those top two photos a Sarah Richardson room??
Why not just buy a loveseat with no arms? Crate and barrel has quite a few as do a lot of other stores I'm sure.
You can have your own custom restaurant booth made at
Aleco Seating Co. in Los Angeles
www.qualitycustombooths.com
Don't be fooled by their website's boring selections. Visit their showroom and the have hundreds of samples, including fabric (not just vinyl). They make your booths at your specs: tufting, nailheads, piping, etc.
All very affordable: 1 booth will cost between $500 and $100 inlc. materials
They are a small company so they are usually open to small jobs. I'm a Set Decorator for the film industry and I've used them regularly, they are friendly and open to any request.
I feel your pain. I too am obsessed with the banquette! I love the tufted ivory ones that are so 1940's. I have consulted with a furniture maker in Kansas who is drawing up some ideas and is working on a quote, somewhere around $800.
Don't give up the dream. I plan to use my on my balcony for additional condo seating. Wish me luck!