Good Questions: Information About This Sofa Style?

Hi Apartment Therapy! This sofa has been in my family for quite some time. I will be 37 in July and it has been around since I was a child (when I was an infant it was in photos). It was my grandmother's she had it reupholstered "way back when..." then she passed away and it was my father's he had it reupholstered in 2006. He passed away and now the sofa is mine. I am interested in finding more about the type, style and history (for lack of better wording) of this piece...

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As far as I know it has only been reupholstered 2 times in it's sofa life. It has been in our family a long time and means a lot I just would like to know something more about it if anyone has any thoughts. Thanks so much! Lisa

Anyone?

Comments (8)

Your sofa appears to be a fanciful 1920's/30's piece that is an amalgam of two styles:

The camelback is influenced by Chippendale - but the legs, exposed frame, bowed aprons and button tufted flared arms are of a French Recamier.

posted by bepsf on June 18th 2009 at 3:09pm
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Your sofa is a hybrid of styles. The back is a camelback most popular in Chippendale styles from the mid 1700s (which has numerous revivals), the flared sides look almost Empire or Classical (1820s-1840s) and the legs are mid 18th century French (think bergere chair). The sofa was probably made between 1920 and 1960.

posted by enmnm on June 18th 2009 at 3:10pm
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Oh Thank you so much for your feedback.
I am in the process of re-doing my living room.
I am also looking for ideas on upholstery/and I would like to put a "down seating pillow" rather than the foam that is currently one there....
WOW Apartment Therapy is quick!
This site is the best!
Thanks Again Everyone!

posted by lilipixi on June 18th 2009 at 5:20pm
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lilipixi --

You're most welcome.

Whatever fabric you choose, have the upholsterer make you a pair of cylindrical bolsters with gathered and buttoned ends for each end of the sofa - it appears to me that the sofa may have originally come with these based on the hollow in the arm.

posted by bepsf on June 18th 2009 at 6:13pm
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bepsf-
thanks so much for all of your help! Great Idea I would not have caught that detail.....
-lilipixi

posted by lilipixi on June 18th 2009 at 8:59pm
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what a beauty a simple jewel toned linen velvet, or mohair or if you what to save a little and get a great look a cotton velvet.

posted by LoriSF on June 18th 2009 at 11:39pm
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What a completely divine sofa! I wish I would inherit one like this.

posted by baileyb on June 19th 2009 at 6:27pm
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"olde" pieces like this scream for fun fabric ala ruthie sommer's fuschia couch- scroll down to see....
http://thecraftycameleon.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-ruthie-sommers-favorites.html

posted by pluott on June 21st 2009 at 5:50am
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