When you have a small space, the option of opening your home to overnight guests can pose a challenge. An Aerobed must be stored in its off-season. A foldout sofa often demands that you rearrange the furniture before your guests can settle down for the evening. So, we're always on the lookout for a new idea. One thought is the Westport Sofa from Gradin Road.
A gentle pull lowers the backrest and extends the seat, while spacious storage underneath the couch solves the problem of where to store the extra linens. 



It's actually Grandin Road, to see the sofa here is the link:
http://www.grandinroad.com/jump.jsp?sort=-1&itemID=11543&itemType=PRODUCT&AS=1&keyword=westport%20sofa
Beautiful but a bit too pricey for me right now. ::le sigh::
view birdie_dc's profile
We're getting warmer:
I like the style, the price isn't bad and it's made in Canada (not China)
Now if it only came in fabric...
view bepsf's profile
bepsf,
I've seen one online that's made of fabric. I forget who was offering it, but it was called a "Davenport sofa"
view Michelle of Montreal's profile
Oh wait, I found it. It's also a Grandin Road offering, the Davenport Sleeper Sofa.
http://www.grandinroad.com/jump.jsp?itemID=5115&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C434%2C571&iProductID=5115
view Michelle of Montreal's profile
Michelle--
Thanks, I saw that one -
- the color is perfect and the price is right, but I wanted one with arms.
(I know - Picky, Picky!!!)
view bepsf's profile
bepsf,
I'm just blind....I didn't even notice that the leather one had arms.
view Michelle of Montreal's profile
I wonder how sturdy that couch is, because the idea is great.
view Rob in PDX's profile
Rob--
Its actually not a new idea - these types of sofabeds were known as "Castro Convertibles" beginning in the late 1940's until the company was bought by Krause in the 80's (which went bankrupt in the 90's)
http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/first_to_conquer_living_space_castro_convertibles/
My Aunt had one in her Florida place for many years, and my parents have a sofabed that works the same way in their motorcoach. They're very easy to use and takes up far less space than a regular sofabed when opened.
I'm just finding it difficult to find one nowadays that looks like a "real" sofa (ie: has arms and isn't oddly proportioned), is covered in fabric (I already have a leather sectional in the living room) and isn't a cheap import from China...
view bepsf's profile
looks like a job for some of AT's sponsors!
;)
get on it quick, guys!
view Joan in SB's profile
I've owned this sofa for a little over a year now. When I purchased it at a local store, they offered it in fabric w/ arms under the name Davenport. I went with leather because it was in stock and at a special price.
There is a surprising amount of storage space. I think I have about 4 blankets and 2 pillows, and a set of sheets stored in it. The sofa is fairly comfortable, but not that comfortable as a sleeper. When laid flat, the sleep surface is smaller than a full bed. It's a good option if you have one person staying over, but two adults would be a bit cramped. Also, until the leather breaks in, the sleep surface is pretty hard.
All in all, I'm glad I bought this sofa. It's a good looking piece of furniture at a reasonable price. The only other way I would be able to afford a leather sofa would be through IKEA.
view judybrown76's profile
I've seen variations of this thing too. One was a wooden affair of early amarican design w/ an orange upholstered cushion that did just as this one did from I guess the 50's or 60's so the idea isn't new and there are futon frames that do this too, but the back is much higher and when folded down, it's a true full sized bed.
view ciddyguy's profile