Look! Extra Tall Alcove Sofa at Vitra

The color alone was enough to catch our attention (oh, how we love teal), as were the sexy zippered sides, but what we found really cool about the pair of loveseats in Vitra's window were their extra-tall backs. When facing each other, they created almost a little room-within-a-room for those seated.

10-30-08 alcove back.jpg They are definitely taller than similar photos we've seen of the model, making us think there might be some customizing options for the line. We've heard the alcove sofa is expensive (like $8K expensive), so we'd find it more likely to see this set up in a ritzy lounge of some sort rather than a home. 10-30-08 alcove sofa right.jpg What we were most interested by, though, was the ability of the furniture to take on more of an architectural element, creating a new space in the room that isn't dependent on the walls. It's a common design element with screens, bookcases, etc, but something we haven't seen to such an effect with sofas before.

For more information, visit Vitra's website.

Comments (12)

Lily--

If you've never seen a sofa with exaggerated high back and arms before, you might consider taking a course in interior design history...

...the Knoll Sofa - the first true fully-upholstered sofa - was created in the 17th century and had very high backs and arms.

More recently, Donghia did some exaggerated highback/shelter-styled sofas in the late 80's and several prominent interior designers used them in their interiors. John Saladino and Phillipe Starck even designed their own versions in 90s.

I also recall seeing gigantic white slipcovered sofas with exaggerated 6' high scalloped backs and rolled arms in the lobby of an LA boutique hotel back in the mid 90's (Was it the Mondrian? The Roosevelt? The Argyle?)

Anyway, it's really not a new thing at all...

posted by bepsf on October 30th 2008 at 2:25pm
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thanks, bepsf. i've seen them before, just thought the way these two were pushed together was unique and worth mentioning.

posted by sflily on October 30th 2008 at 2:32pm
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Yikes--this is the most horrible sofa I've ever seen.

posted by redmakesmehappy on October 30th 2008 at 2:49pm
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I've been searching for extra tall wingback chairs as well as settees.

The true value of these pieces is that they retain warmth and prevent drafts.

Instead of heating vast open spaces, you plunk these in front of a stove, fireplace or radiator. They make your loft or two story living room livable while you turn the thermostat down.

posted by joey_brill on October 30th 2008 at 5:17pm
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I would like to see, noted by bepsf:

...the Knoll Sofa - the first true fully-upholstered sofa - was created in the 17th century and had very high backs and arms.

posted by ENTENZA on October 30th 2008 at 5:18pm
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gross!

posted by alotlikeotherpeople on October 30th 2008 at 6:02pm
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perhaps you could be a little more specific in your revulsion. I happen to think it's quite nice. I would love to have a home (and the bank account) that could accommodate a pair of them.

posted by charlenemcbride on October 30th 2008 at 6:25pm
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Two of these facing together would make me feel like I'm living in a padded room.

posted by somedudeinvicenza on October 30th 2008 at 11:40pm
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ok may be these aren't for a suburban home...

but for an after-hours loung in milan, or nuyawk, where you want table service with out being seen, these are perfect...

two facing each other, table in between, overhead lamp...bella!

btw...SF Lily....love your guerilla journalism....!

posted by khanzen on October 31st 2008 at 2:52am
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I would love to sit in there with a boombox or small tv and see what it does to the sound.

posted by kiljoywashere on October 31st 2008 at 5:03am
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Here's a spectacular vintage Knole sofa--Knole as in Vita Sackville-West's ancient house, not Knoll as the maker of Saarinen's Tulip table--for only $6500, the only catch being that it seems to be in Australia. I guess the Pope decided to redecorate his place in Sydney.

http://www.thecountrytrader.com.au/Catalogue/Large/16971D.jpg

posted by magnaverde on October 31st 2008 at 5:52am
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I like it for some reason. It looks good for reading, all comfy and padded.
Of course I also like the room in "Solaris". (the 1972 version, thankyouverymuch)

posted by jakelegs on October 31st 2008 at 7:12am
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