Rather than getting something that isn't exactly what you want - Why not just save the money and wait till it goes on sale?

For something that's going to last at least 10-15 years, saving for a few months and waiting for the sale isn't such a terrible thing.

Cheaper-than-that modern is not an easy category. And $1615 is nowhere near even the middle of the price range for sofas.

To beat that price, you are going to end up taking a leap of faith on a website, or finding-- and recovering-- a used piece.

Check a second-hand store, like GoodWill or St. Vincent DePaul, etc... You can probably find a shape you like and take the legs off and put on contemporary ones or create ones from pipe at the hardware store.

Recovering can be just as expensive as buying a new couch. I've tried. Even doing it yourself is outrageous and messy.

I'm with the others. Save the money for a while and buy the couch you want.

You could try Dania in Northbrook. They have contemporary styles, but I would consider them a step up from Ikea. They have a website but you have to order at the store. www.daniafurniture.com They even have a section on the website for sofas under $999. It's $100 delivery to Chicago for one trip.

Start trolling the Crate and Barrel Outlet in Naperville. They not only have Crate merch, but CB2 and lots of cool samples. I've seen a sofa there very similar to this...

Addendum to my previous comment; the Crate outlets in the city do not have furniture. You have to go to Naperville.

Try craigslist.org in the Chicago area. You can click "furniture" in the buy and sell section and then narrow the search to "couch" - if you check it daily you might stumble upon a gem.

domicile in Lincolnwood (think might have a place in the city as well). Went there for the 1st time a few months ago. We just snagged a nice midcentury type sofa for ~a grand delivered. We even had a choice of a hundred fabrics and it came with 2 pillows. The sofa seems sturdy and comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame, which should be good.

I agree with kozy11 on Dania as well, good stuff there but some of it borders on uncomfortable faux-modern stuff.

I agree with bepsf. I have been wanting a new sofa as well, and have looked everywhere for an inexpensive one to fit my mcm taste.

However, I've realized I might as well just save up my money, live with the ugly sofa I have for a little longer so I can have my pick.

Room & Board has an awesome sofa (Anson) that is a similar shape, but it's at the same price point, so that's no help. If you've struck out at CB2 and Ikea, you're probably out of luck. I agree with the others - sofas are investment pieces, and it's worth the money for one that you love and that will last.

I just got the Corona couch from Macy's. It hasn't been delivered yet, but if it's anything like the Corona armchair I have that goes along with it, it'll be heavenly - for less than $700, too.

We liked the couches from Room and Board and DWR, but we were extremely hesitant to spend $1,500 on a sofa when we had plenty of other things to pay for as well. It's also helpful to keep in mind that prices are indicative of how much the companies think you should be paying for it, not the actual quality of the product.

Tracey, you didn't specify what your budget was, so if you're looking for something under $1,000, try Urban Outfitters. I can't attest to the quality since I've never sat on one, though. I myself bought a Macy's one, but while I was satisfied with the comfort level as well as the quality from examining the couch itself (I practically threw myself onto it at the store, and another AT reader said it had a solid wood frame, and there are numerous good reviews for it online), I also can't attest that it'll hold up in 10 years.

Its not an exact replica of what you posted, but I thought this was reminiscent. Its from a reputable company, is a MUCH more affordable purchase, and has options for customizing.

http://www.la-z-boy.com/Product/5092-7125/Demi-Stationary-Sofa/

Room and Board is having its annual summer clearance right now. You might find something you like, but the prices may still be too high.

Buy used, if you need a sofa right now. Educate yourself about what and who makes a good sofa (gardenweb is a good website for this sort of thing), so when you spot a find at thrift or consignment shop (or craigslist), you will know that your money is well-spent. Even if you spend only $500, it's still $500, and you want to spend it wisely. It amazes me how little people educate themselves about sofa construction, when they can easily cost well over $2K.

Also, good reupholstery is more expensive than people thing, and really only worth it if the sofa frame itself is worth the cost of the fabric and labor.

In any case, afor-now sofa should last you a few years, by which time you will have saved enough to buy the new sofa of your dreams.

Recovering can sometimes be as expensive as a new sofa, so even if you do find a great one for cheap, it could end up costing you in the end.

I'm with those that say to wait. Save up as much as you can, and then you'll have a much larger selection of good quality furniture to choose from. A sofa should last you AT LEAST ten years, so make sure its the best quality you can afford! And, of course, make sure its something you absolutely love.

Oh, BTW, the Room & Board sofa I mentioned, Anson, does come in blue and gray like you wanted!

I got something similar on sale froom Room and Board. My friend also got something close from their outlet. It would be a drive to Minneapolis, but worth it!

When we had my grandmother's old track arm sofa reupholstered a few years back, the upholsterer (ack, try saying that three times fast) had all sorts of legs either in stock or available for order. Some were like this, very modern looking.

So my suggestion would be that you might be able to find a cheaper sofa and then pay to have the legs customized.

You can also try going to a woodworking supply store (or better, yet, one of those hardware catalogs) and adding the legs yourself. The vast majority of sofa legs are interchangeable and can be done by a novice with a drill and some new screws.

But frankly, I agree with the others who have already pointed out that $1615 isn't exorbitant for sofa. If you pay much less, you'll end up just having to replace it in the short term anyway and you may end up spending more money in the long run. Sofas shouldn't cost $10,000, but they are one of those things worth spending a grand on.

You might find something you like at Gus Modern, and they're currently having a sale!

"You might find something you like at Gus Modern..."

...assuming you don't mind a "Made in the USA" price for "Made in China" furniture.

I strongly agree about craigslist. Tons of sofas for sale (search both sofa and couch).

I recently scored a perfect condition Room and Board sectional on craigslist for $500. I paid $20 (all-in) for a rental pick up truck at Home Depot, and an hour later, I had a sofa in my home.

Someone in Humboldt Park had been selling a lovely MCM light gray blue sofa on craigslist for $1000, but I haven't seen it in a bit.

Good luck!

Hi Tracey
BTW - what is that sofa that costs $1615?
Thanks - check out the sofas at Room and Board...

That is a unique sofa. These have some similar line elements, and some dissimilarities as well, but are in the cool color range.

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/JAR-Designs-The-Harrison-Sofa/4831902/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/angelo-HOME-Cooper-Pillow-Back-Sofa-Twillo-Blue-Stone/4450079/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/angelo-HOME-Angelo-Basil-Sage-Green-Dimples-Sofa/4606937/product.html

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I agree with you that I may need to spend that much for a sofa I really like, and it's not really too far over what I had in mind.

The sofa pictured is the "Rado" at www.spacify.com. The trouble is the color selection - it doesn't come in a blue/grey. If they had it in the right color, I would totally shell out for it.

@tracey c --

You said that it doesn't come in the color you want: grey or blue...
...did you not see that it comes in other fabric colors - what they call "Insight Mist" which is a cool blue tone?

You might have also noticed that the name of the manufacturer is on the site (Lazar Industries: http://www.lazarind.com/ ) which has plenty of other fabric options on their site and a store locator which you could use to get competitive quotes from retailers in your area for the sofa in the fabric you'd prefer.

Do you know anyone in Minneapolis? There is a Room & Board Outlet store there where my husband and I got a similar couch for $500. I love that place!

@bepsf, I did see "Insight Mist", but doesn't that look greenish to you? Perhaps it's my monitor? Great idea to contact the manufacturer! Using their store locator reminded me about Modern Home Furnishings, which is another good source for inexpensive modern pieces.

I really like the legs on this sofa... they make it look so light and airy to me. I was originally inspired by the sofa that Cortney and Robert Novogratz of Sixx Design have in their current house. If you look at their web site, choose Projects, then 400 West, it's the third thumbnail in the bottom row of pictures. Of course, one could argue that theirs is also rather "Insight Mist" colored! But it's the shape and the legs that caught my eye.

I don't agree with bepf's assessment of Gus Modern at all.

I think saving your money for what you really want is the best way to go. Also, have you tried smaller furniture stores? They sometimes have an in-house interior designer (frequently the owner) that can steer you in the right direction. I usually strike out while furniture hunting at large chain stores, but have found great bargains at smaller shops, including buying a set of Calligaris casual dining chairs for $50 each (regulary $300 each)! Good luck.

Or this one (ad on this web page): http://www.fashion4home.com/camden-red-2-seat-sofa-1.html

It comes in gray and other colors.