Take! But definitely reupholster it. The color and patterns are so very 1980s. If you're brave enough, since it's a sectional, you could even play with color blocking.

I don't like that color or the pattern but I agree that the design on the backs is nice. That said, it's going to cost an arm and a leg to reupholster that sectional, especially to replicate the design on the back.

If you want to invest the time and cost to reupholster just make sure you're getting a sofa that is still durable. Make sure the cushions and frame are in good condition.

TAKE!!! Although it is going to be a tad on the expensive side to re-upholster. I'd definitely change the fabric but I would keep the freakin' awesome tucking/pattern/detail (not sure of the exact vocab word to use there) in the back if you can!! Definitely unique!!!

If reupholstering costs less than what you would comfortably pay for a new sofa, go for it -- but don't replicate the pattern on the back.

Or, if it's dreamy to sit on and doesn't need any work in terms of beefing up the cushions, you could slipcover it.

If it's cheap, I would take it and make a slipcover. It's going to cost pretty much the same as a new sofa to reupholster. Because it's a non standard shape, huge, and to keep the back detail.

I might be the only one to say 'Leave it'. I think it's dated and would cost a small fortune to reupholster. I love a vintage find as much as the next gal, but this doesn't seem worth the effort and expense to me. Whatever floats your boat, though!

I'd say leave it, too. The cushions look a little saggy, and they might need to be replaced as well, and I have a feeling that when you get it to a point where you are happy with it, you may as well have bought a new sofa.

I'm w/Jadis1 LEAVE IT!, that thing is hid-e-ous! The boxy shape and the art deco tufting are not cool at all and I don't think any new fabric would help. Vintage cool is one thing but that thing is just ugly. If they are asking for more than $5 for this (and helping to move it) then I would have to say, "Keep looking PLEASE". Surely freecyle or some local thrift stores have something better than this. I ck out the local Salvation Army at least once a week and they seem to have nice looking sectionals fairly often.

No likey. Pass.

Ew

The back is kind of cool, but I think it would get old really, really fast... and given the cost of upholstering the thing, unless you're made of money, leave it!

Take it if you are trying to make your house look like a star trek movie set. Get an acrylic coffee table and an acrylic chess set to complete the look.
For further inspiration: http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Ten_Forward

Depends on many things
1) As mentioned already, the cost to have this re-done will cost about the same as a new sofa. Believe me, I've been getting quotes recently for club chairs and I can just about get new ones.
2) Will it fit coming through doors? Do you have the wall space to be able to accomodate such a large piece?
3) Will this piece take up every singe visual space in the area you intend to bring it into?
4) If you love it as is, I would get a professional to come out and get it cleaned. That may be the most cost effective.
After taking everything into consideration, and you still want it, then go for it regardless of cost. Try and make sure it has good bones..
I agree with another post that it shows it's age with all that tucking. It's visually unappealing to me but that's a personal perference.

I think it's hideous....but.I freely acknowledge I don't have the design vision that some possess. I often look at the before pictures of furniture/ rooms / houses with an "arrgghh, ick" and the after with a "but how did they even see that - wow!". If you've got the vision to transfer the ick to a wow, then use those talents and go right ahead. If you don't, put the list down and walk away slowly.

if you don't take it, i will.

I second aprildeann!! That's PRIME vintage, and other than a thorough cleaning, I wouldn't touch it.

Even in a non-offensive color this thing definitely has a certain look. Does your current decor fit with the look of this couch? And yes, reupholstering is crazy expensive. Most of the times it's so cost prohibitive I'm not sure why anyone would do it instead of just getting a new couch.

If it was me I wouldn't get this sectional because the reupholstering would be too costly. My rule of thumb with any big purchase is, if I'm not positive immediately that I want it, then it's a NO. Especially if there is a project involved like reupholstering, which really does cost as much as buying new most of the time. You have to be patient until your OMG YES! sofa turns up.

That sofa is ready for the burn pile.

I would take and reupholster but it looks huge so that would be an expensive prospect to redo. if the sofa is already on the pricey side it will end up costing more than a new sectional purchase.

I'm all about vintage finds and not buying new, but this particular piece is both to costly to reupholster and not efficient in its design. Because you would need to add stuffing and reupholster in order to get rid of the pattern on the cushions, cost is a big factor here. And I'm not a fan of the rounded sectional- it takes so much space and is not classic simple lines.

Just my two cents!
Kelly

Personally, I think this sectional is fabulous and a great mid-century piece. The lines are fantastic. Based on the photos, the sectional seems to be in decent shape as well as the upholstery. But I'll admit, I'm not quite digging the mauve-purple color. I would imagine getting the sectional reupholstered and keeping the lines is going to be a bit costly.

But something to keep in mind - I've seen similar sofas for sale at an antique store near me that specialize in mid-century modern furniture, and the refurbished ones usually sell for $1500 - 2000. So if you can get a deal on the sofa and maybe find an inexpensive fabric to reupholster with, you could easily pay less that what you could get for the same sofa at an antique store.

The color and fabric pattern aren't my favorite, but the shape and design of the couch itself is pretty awesome. It's like mid-century meets art deco. Personally, I would probably redo the upholstery even though the current one appears to be in very good condition. It might not be cheap to do, and as some other users mentioned it can cost as much as a new sofa. However, you probably would not be buying a new sofa that looks like this for the same price. If a new upholstery job is in the budget, I say go for it.

Pass. It really doesn't have good design to work with in the first place..not worth any expense to redo.

That sofa is classic Deco, including the color. (People think of mauve as being 80s, but it was 1930s revival at the time.) If you change the fabric to something more "modern," you could end up with a sofa that's neither here nor there.

I think the question is whether you love Deco or not, because this sofa means committing to it. Someone out there will love this as is. I'm not that someone, but I know he/she exists.

P.S. I don't mean the sofa is LITERALLY from the 30s. It was probably made in the 80s when deco was a craze like MCM is today. Picture it in the lobby of Radio City Music Hall. That's the vibe it has. If you take away the crazy back, you just have the Great Wall of China in fabric.

Reupholstery will cost the same as new BUT you will have a higher-quality piece in the end. This looks like a 60s Kroehler sofa. They're built much differently than new sofas. Most have solid wood frames and hand-tied springs. A new sofa would likely have a partial-wood frame and inferior springs that can sag quickly. Plus, you just can't get those lines without going to a very high price point.

I recently reupholstered a Kroehler sofa, similar lines with those wide angled arms (so comfy!). I chose $40/yard fabric and the whole job cost around $1,750. Sofa cost me $350. Before and after pics on my blog. If you're ready for a lifetime sofa, go for it! I would probably skip the track design on back for lasting power and money savings, though.

intriguing.....ok if the price is right and you want to experiment. Reminds me of early 20th century gangster and molls. I wouldn't reupholster ($$$$ and it would change the personality)
above all else follow the rule...when in doubt do without.
You have to LOVE this sofa or run away.

If its comfortable, go for it! I am the proud owner of the ugliest sofa in the universe (birds in flight and fruit on polished cotton!) that is incredibly comfortable.
I paid $75 for the sofa and another $200 for canvas ticking to make a slipcover and $50 for pillows. With about 10 hours of labor, I had the most beautiful, comfortable sofa. I sleep on it all the time and its the center of our home.
The canvas I chose is washable and I will truly mourn when it is time to replace this sofa.

I'd get it!!! It is def 60's . I think we had the matching arm chair in our basement growing up. The seats look saggy , so I would buy new foam and possibly recover the seats if the fabric is too worn, in a complimentary fabric. I like it when the seats don't match. Shows history in the piece. I hate new looking furniture anywasy.I can sew, so that's not a problem for me. You'd have to decide if you could do it yourself or afford to have it done. I love the wide arms and the fact it is a sectional. So cool.

I can sew, but I can't type well. lol

I think the piece is AWESOME, completely! Unfortunately I recognize that fabric from my grandmother's reupholstered sofa, and it's horribly uncomfortable; else I'd say just leave it as is! Except maybe beef up the one saggy cushion. I bet the fabric will last another 100 years, though. Isn't there any way to dye fabric in place? and then just change the uncomfy fabric on the seat cushions. Crazy, I know... but I can so relate to your liking this one-of-a-kind find!

Wow, the folks at retrorenovation.com would love this. My folks has a similar one, long ago, and had it redyed to refresh the color. It would be an option to reupholstering and then the texture and shape would be maintained.

BRAVE VISIONARY. That's what you are, Michael. That is an insane piece... one that can look hideous as it does now, or jaw-dropping awesome if redone with panache. If you pull this off, you will have am amazing piece. Kudos to you for even trying to explore this option!

I'd pass.

No questions - I would beg for it! My Mother had one like it from the 50's to early 70's and I always loved it. I ended up with it in college in '78; it was incredibly well made and held up for years after graduation! Our "new" home is a New Orleans cottage from 1850; a piece like that, which I wouldn't ever re-cover, would be a perfect foundation around which we would build our burgeoning, funky, yet valuable art collection. I would use some great pillows and throws to brighten it up. What a find! And may I say that this site has been invaluable to me in decorating our home, as it is 3,500 SF, but a shotgun double that we short-term sublet a portion of... meaning decorating around lots of difficult spaces (large and small rooms, storage issues, lots of doors, large windows and high ceilings) - you help me make it work! Thanks!!

Get it only if it is PERFECT for your space as it is.

You didn't mention how much it is? I'd get it and slipcover, even just the curved center piece. I recently aquired a similar piece (just the curved center part) and I slipcovered it to great effect. Maybe you could do something like I did and it wouldn't be too expensive. See mine here: http://www.hayestone.blogspot.com/2012/04/hand-printed-slipcover-for-vintage.html. Good Luck!

I like it and you can keep it as is if your decor is quirky. If your decor isn't quirky than reupholster it and don't keep that wierd pattern on the back. But yes the reupholstering probably would cost as much as a new couch but i like the design of this except for the pattern on the back part.

I see why you're drawn to it, but I'd say pass... I wouldn't sink money into that.

Isn't there some technique you can use to PAINT the upholstery? I think I've seen something about it on either AT or designsponge during the past year. I think the sofa is awesome but I hate the color. I would look at ways to treat that upholstery so it's no longer mauve.

Leave it...as it would cost a small fortune to properly revive it.

pass. too "retro" and will be expensive to update.

I would totally get it, and leave it like it is. That is frise fabric and it's super expensive to buy! People actually buy that type of retro fabric to recover couches. If you do recover it, it is still a worthwhile couch, because where are you going to find something like that that is made like they made them back then? I have a sectional in the same shape and I love it, but my frise fabric is while/gold. But like someone said before, get it if you think it will fit your space well.

This couch is vile... while I think the general shape is nice, I don't think the cushions or upholstery are attractive in any way, and echo that it is going to cost you a fortune to get it reupholstered (and a DIY reupholstery probably won't come out looking great with the intricacy of the pattern in the back cushions). I don't see it looking less dated even with a more contemporary upholstery color/pattern. I say leave it.

I find it horrifically ugly, but I don't like that aesthetic/period in general. Would be fascinated to see what you do with it if you do decide to take it, though!

Yes, too much ugly. And it looks big, so it wouldn't be worth the cost of upholstery...

Hideous! Sorry, maybe I just lack the vision on this one.

FUGLY. Sorry, mo other way to say it. Please don't!!!!

If it's the quirky designs on the back that you are drawn to, bear in mind that it will cost mega bucks to reupholster it. Of course, if you know someone who does upholstery work and could do this piece justice for a reasonable fee, that's something to consider. Otherwise, I say leave it. Look for a unique, vintage chair or small sofa with the details you like that may not cost so much to refurbish.

I guess it depends upon how much you're spending on the piece and how much you are willing to pay to update it. I think it's super unique and has quite wonderful potential - you don't find furniture like this anymore and I'm one to love what could look like a one of a kind piece! Very cool. I like it.

I would say keep it..it depends how much you want to do with it,,,it will cost you to reupolster it ,, alot,,,if you have it just for looks,, but for comfort,,id use slip covers and you can change them any way you like,,its a good couch how its made maybe custom made at the time and very roomy,,,id use it for my comfort and i'd buy nice pillows or cushions and dress around it,,, Good Luck!!

Wish this was posted on MY city's craigslist! It's not at allll the color I'd choose, but I really like the detailed tucking on the back. If it is in good condition (sturdy frame, still comfortable), I'd definitely take it. If you're brave, try a DIY upholstering. Professional upholstering for that would probably be prohibitive.

I LOVE this piece! I can't believe what great shape it appears to be in. I would leave it as is. You can do a lot with throws and decorative pillows. It's a classic. I love the image of it in Radio City Music Hall.

I am not sure of your decor in your place, but yea I would give it a home.
Maybe like mentioned before, new slip covers or how about if you sew or have someone
you know sew make some pillows and maybe a slipcover.
If the $$ is right take it

TAKE IT or I WILL TAKE IT - Seriously, the size is great, and it is just what we have been searching for - too bad it isn't in my living room. It's all in the eye of the beholder, I guess!
Still, consider taking it, live with it for a while, and then if you don't like it --- call me!

This seems like something that would take a LOT of effort and/or money to make passable: it certainly doesn't look like an easy upholster and that fabric is hideous. Maybe if you had just the right decor, it wouldn't look ridiculous, but I dunno. It DOES have a nice style, but it just seems like it would be more trouble than it's worth make it what it should be. Unless you're a professional upholsterer, in desperate need of seating right this very second, or you just like moving furniture in and out of your house a lot, I would wait for something better/easier to come along.

I used to have this as a sectional - the cover is "herculite" or something like that because of its durability
. I loved it and wish I still had it! Keep it, please!