In the annals of good shelter porn, the Charles sofa has an assured role. Totally Italian, with a generous shape, slim silhouette and a bit hard on your ass, this sofa has become a design classic since it was first introduced by Antonio Citterio in 1997. We've bought a bunch for clients and it's been knocked off dozens of times...
We first saw this in its large version (introduced in 2003) in a New York Magazine article about a HUGE white apartment with views over the city. It looked like a frickin' trampoline it was so big and you could just imaging curling up and sleeping for days.
In practice, we've found that while the looks are stunning, the hard cushion seat leaves people a little conflicted. When New Yorker's buy a sofa, they generally want a nice soft landing pad and a cozy cushion underneath their toosh. No luck here. The foam cushion will keep you on your toes, though you can supplement the deep seating with lots of soft fluffy pillows to balance the firmness that surrounds you.
The Charles is fully modular and lots of combinations can be made of its regular and it's "LARGE" version. Here's what B&B say:
High seat modularity starting with sixteen elements per type and different sizes - this is the concept behind Charles. Linear and corner compositions are developed with these elements, particularly with chaise longue end units. Peninsula-style compositions can be beautifully arranged in the centre of room.
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It may be hard, but it's definitely beautiful...
I own one and I love it, but I definitely agree that this is not a sofa to take a nap on unless you have a chiropractor on speed-dial!
Question: Does anyone else think that purchasing a sofa (or any piece of furniture) that has more style than function is a complete waste of our planets resources? Just me?
Yes, Maryja, agree. However, I am in absolutely no danger of buying even a little component of this, so I'll continue to sit on my equally lean-cushioned Ikea couch and gaze at the aesthetics of this.
I've had one for 4 years and have no complaints about the level of comfort. The durability of the fabric, unfortunately, has been a different story.
Umm, aren't the same resources used whether the sofa is purchased for style or for function?
If anyone in the Bay Area has a charles (not "large") that they wish to sell because the seat is too hard or the fabric lacking in durability, please let me know!
"Totally Italian, with a generous shape, slim silhouette and a bit hard on your ass"
For a minute, I thought I wrote this post.
Maryja--
A sofa like this is "investment quality" meaning its highly unlikely you will be kicking it to the curb in under ten or twenty years.
Seems a responsible use of resources to me.
Oops, "it's".
And I guess, with the "green movement" "What a waste of resources" is the new "What a waste of money".
Has anyone compared sitting on this with one from Minotti? I'm interested in the Hamilton line.
patrick (too): No, I meant 'waste of resources'. I assume that most people who buy one of these can actually afford to do so. And 'wasting money' and 'wasting resources' are not always the same thing. You can waste resources without wasting money and vice versa.
Kathryn: The same materials may be used but what I was thinking about was along these lines: I can buy a pair of designer jeans for $250 and then, for various reasons, not wear them. Therefore, in the simplest of terms 1) the sweat/equity of (most likely) underpaid workers all along the production line were wasted and 2) waste from the plants where the jeans were manufactured was produced for a pair of jeans I never wear. I may actually donate the jeans to goodwill or something and someone may buy and wear them out and then someone else comes along and recycles them into a handbag to sell on etsy, but I think a lot of people just throw them out. (If I'm recalling them correctly, current statistics say that only 1% of products bought are actually being used 6 months later.)
But what do you do with a sofa that cost a great deal more that you never use? I hope patrick (too) is correct and it is an investment, but I've seen a lot of thoughtless waste when people realize that furniture they bought doesn't actually work or they get bored and decide to redecorate.
Very beautiful ... and like all good modern upholstery, it would look amazing in a traditional fabric, ie a damask or a velvet stripe, even a toile de Jouy ...
I assure you that I "use" my Charles sofa every day. I just don't sleep on it.
I've had a Charles sofa/day bed combination for about 8 years now. It's worth dispelling some myths...
We bought it during our DINK phase and it was housed in our small apartment. It was a little too big for the space but still looked great. We are now in a house, still looks great.
It is used every day and is great for slothing in front of the TV, taking a nap &c. Not too firm -- feather and foam mix on top of a foam base is a great combination for the cushions. We use it as our guest bed too, or when I'm in the dog-box, without complaint.
We ordered it with the Brown Secolo cotton finish and it has held up admirably. We have three kids now and they treat the sofa without fear or favour - still some life left and when we renovate in a year's time all of the covers velcro off and can be updated (we're getting leather). The cushions will probably be restuffed at this point too, but the base is basically brand new.
So, fantastic looks, comfortable, stands up to torture without degradation. Great investment.
Jonathan
I adore my Charles -- gorgeous design -- like an Aalto chair or table. Look at how well it photographs from every possible angle. Look at the simplicity of the design and how all it needs is one or two vintage Marimekko pillows to add color and historicism. I paired it with two Egg chairs and am considering bringing into the mix a Wegner wing chair. As for the complaints about the cushion being too hard, firm up your tushies, ladies and gents with some exercise and a few plates of pasta.
I am looking for a good copy, does anyone have a source? Thanks!
We have 2 charles sofa and the poufe in the middle. Love the way it looks. however, if you think this is a good investment think again. I have had it for 8 years and I am now changing the fabric for a second time. After this I have virtually paid for the sofas all over again. so while you may not be throwing out the sofas in 10 or 20 years you can be sure that you will do so with the fabric. Hamilton sofa is far more comfortable and wish I bought it instead. not sure how the fabric holds up on the hamilton but at least you are more comfortable with this. my husband does think we should throw these out as he hates sitting on them.
I recently purchased the B&B Frank sofa for my living room and love it. Have now fallen in love with the B&B Ray sofa but am having a hard time justifying it for the family/play room space I need it for. There is just nothing that comes close to it in a less expensive option (R&B, C&B...etc) Any ideas!!??