apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Considering its size, I think it would be a mistake to go for a solid color. But, if you're set on it, then a soothing blue-gray. If you feel more adventurous there are some good oranges and yellows out there too...

Seriously though, go with a print!

My vote would definitely be for a print, too! If you're looking for something more mild you could still pick something tame. A print might be a nice way to tie together your variety of furniture as well.

Is there something wrong with the upholstery that isn't obvious in that picture? For a Deco sofa that fabric and color are perfect. Don't change a thing, just decorate around it.

If you don't just have this uphostery cleaned..

For a solid, I'd go either a silvery blue-grey velveteen OR completely bright and mod (international blue!).

For a print, I'd keep with the Art Deco feel. Check out photographs of old Art Deco interiors to get ideas. You could either go tone on tone or high contrast (my mum had a sofa like this done up in black and white, with the frame in black).

Excellent find! Sexy, stylish, and it looks comfy too.

Taupe, grey pinstripe (like a menswear fabric), deep aubergine ?

On looking at the photos I was going to suggest a nice blue-gray as well, it's has the advantage of not being white or black, matching with a lot of other colours and almost every style, and isn't invading.
I wouldn't recommend a pattern however, on such a huge space you'll get fed up with it quickly.

I'm assuming that the OP wishes to reupholster becasue of worn areas on the fabric.

I'd stay away from patterns - but would definately stick with a velvet for its sumptuous texture and sheen.

Here's shade of celery green velvet that would look splendid on this sofa and contrast beautifully with the exposed woodwork. Kravet #25393 - 3

http://www.kravet.com/search/fabdetail.asp?Code=FAB&Cat=VEL-Velvet&Col=GRN-Green&Price=All&Page=13&pat=25393&clr=3

Agree with Daniel P. about avoiding pattern -- it's s BIG sofa, and I fear a pattern might take over the room. I'd go with a bright color -- turquoise? -- and use throw pillows for pattern texture. Great sofa -- enjoy it!

i vote for a silvery blue gray or a creamy beigey goldish color witch ever matches your space best. in other words a light neutral color. it's a really big couch.

a light blue or lavender velvet. lush, romantic, not overwhelming or overly feminine, and blends well with the rich warm tones of the wood trim and legs. as much as i love gray velvet, i've always found gray and brown the be a little jarring next to each other, the gray always looks muddy, and the wood doesn't look as rich.

the current color of the upholstery, that frosty mauve, is beautiful! it's a rich color but it seems fairly subtle. for a couch of that size, in a room of eclectic pieces, i think it is quite elegant to keep it soft in color.

I agree that a silvery blue would probably have the best chance of mixing well with a variety of furniture styles. However, I love brights, and if you're up for the challenge and your space is forgiving, I'd go with a turquoise!

A darkish green (perhaps a slight tweed - just the hint of a pattern) that can almost act as a neutral in its ability to mesh with other colors. It will provide enough color to not become a big bland statement, which I think is what will happen if you go for a true neutral variant of tan, grey, or its current color. I darkish burgundy might also work the same way. A flexible color doesn't have to be boring. I would save any pattern impulses for throw pillows, or I wonder if a trio of lumbar pillows would look cool.

With such a unique piece of furniture, I'd say go bold. A bright blue velvet would look lovely and rich.

I agree with others above - a silvery gray velveteen would be stunning.

another vote for silvery grey... fantastic peice!

I also think a bright - like turquoise velvet would look great.
Just make sure the velvet you buy is the right fiber content for a couch... think of how some velvet dresses get a shiny spot on the butt after a few wearings where the pile is smashed, or jacket elbows with the same issue... you definitely don't want that on the couch. I know it's either cotton blend or solid cotton vs. a synthetic that are more susceptible to it, but I can't remember which is which.
Love the couch!

MAUVE!

Great find and lucky you have the space. A sofa like that really needs a plush velvet solid color fabric. Almost less about the color and more important the construction, the hand of the fabric and style of the fabric that is suited for that style sofa.

A mohair would be ideal, but if you do not want to spend that kind of money then look at a velvet cotton in a solid color. A beautiful jewel tone in a modern color would be beautiful. Something in a mid tone green, aubergine, or a midnight deep blue or maybe the right color chocolate. I would go with a color you love. I like grey I have charcoal grey myself, but that is a long piece for a color like grey, grey tends to not be vibrant enough on a big big piece.
A print would not be right for that sofa, it would not show off the curves something timeless as a plush solid fabric and prints are outdated fast.
That sofa speaks glamour, deco, hollywood.

If you are near a Michael Taylor Designs showroom, go and look at their sofas and what they are uphostered in to give you an idea of what yours might look like, since they are of similar styles and times.
http://www.michaeltaylordesigns.com/upholstery001.html

Look at-
Knoll Textiles has a cotton velvet-good colors-cactus, tarragon, french blue, brittany blue
http://www.knoll.com/products/textileproduct.jsp?prod_id=787
Look at their Extreme Velvet

Yoma Textiles has a beautiful cotton velvet in great colors called Savanna well priced. I am using one of the greens to redo my chair. Yoma has beautiful mohairs too.
Maharam has quit a few solids to choose from
Gretchen Bellinger- amazing mohairs, linen velvets but really expensive.
Sina Pearson Textiles great colors and solids.

All can be seen their showrooms or you can order samples. I would order a bunch of samples and drape them over the sofa and just live with them for a few days to see which one makes you happy.

I concur...blue or blue/gray/silver upholstery. There is a shot of these blue/gray upholstered chairs in the new Elle Decor that looks lovely(I believe its in the Nate Berkus layout)

What a fantastic find! Congrats - I wish my apt was big enough for a 9 ft sofa.

Blue/grey generally looks great next to wood, but it'll call more attention to the frame-- unlike the current color, which is similar in hue to the wood. Not a negative, but just be aware that the wood will seem much more prominent if you choose a cool color. A little less streamlined.

How about a pale neutral wool fabric-- oatmeal or greyish-beige ("greige")?

pear green

a light eggplant with refinished dark frame...

Upholstering with a pattern OR a non-neutral colour is a big commitment (especially a pattern, which can look dated in mere months). Personally, I would choose a textured solid, which will hide stains better than a flatweave, and keep the piece looking newer longer. Or maybe something subtle, like a mini herringbone.

If you're set on a colour, I think the blue-grey is a great bet. Heather grey/charcoal would look great as well, or an ivory, particularly with that wood frame. Good luck!

What a great piece -- I love it as is. Very Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.

I saw your sofa at HW and coveted it so much. You don't say anything about the other colors in your room, or what your life is like. I like it as is, I would love it in silver-gray or cream, and adore it in something like pear or a rich hot pink. I'm no help, but great score.

they have soft subtle colors here that might help you.. to go with the wood.
http://www.ochre.net/en/
bright blues will make the wood stand out dramatically, but I like the 'toned-in' idea.

Gorgeous piece.

If you want to avoid having such a huge bit of one color in the room, you could two-tone it. Since you have that wood breaking up the upholstered front and back, I'd do a slightly darker color on the back section and a lighter version of the same color on the front and cushions. It would make the sofa look very custom and chic.

I'd also change the color of the wood... depending on what your style is, stain it dark or paint it white.

I agree with changing the color of the wood to a slightly darker stain. As far as fabric goes. I like reffering to the upholstery gallery at Nesco Upholstery. They did a great job on my sofa and even brought a ton of sample fabrics to my house when i was having my place redone.