Okay, before we begin this post, we have to admit that we're (way too often) suckers for marketing and that Crate & Barrel's Petrie Sofa had a hold on us initially just because of the name. As fans of the Dick Van Dyke show, anything named after Rob and Laura Petrie was bound to grab our attention.
Add to that a kiln-dried hardwood frame, the mid-century influences that we're so fond of, and the made-in-the-USA quality that we associate with Crate & Barrel, and we figured that the Petrie sofa would be a safe bet. It's shown up in a number of Apartment Therapy house tours, and it's versatile enough to fit in with modern or traditional decor.
After reading some reviews of the sofa on Crate & Barrel's site and scanning the Apartment Therapy classifieds (where second-hand versions of the sofa show up a lot) we came to the conclusion that the major complaint most people have has to do with the tufted buttons. They seem to pop off or unwravel under heavy-duty use (dogs, kids, etc) so this may be an issue to consider if you're extra-hard on your sofa. Apart from those complaints, we've heard that it's a great looking, reasonably priced piece that holds up to medium wear just fine.
We went looking for some examples of real homes that include the Petrie, and we found quite a few. For details and more information on each home, click through the links below.
SHOWN ABOVE
- Summer and Josh's Pumped Up Traditional: This Lincoln Park home mixes modern and classic styles, and the Petrie sofa fits right in with a few color-coordinated pillows.
- Lindsay's Bold West Loop Style: This home has a distinctly modern, Pop Art sensibility. The Petrie sofa's geometric lines are played up with some bold, graphic pillows and a Jonathan Adler throw.
- Judy's Sunny and Stylish Family Home: In a laid-back Michigan house, the Petrie sofa is kept simple and clean, with just a couple of throw pillows. It's modern enough to fit in with the Eames chairs and coffee table, but casual enough to feel like a place where you can put up your feet.
- Catrin and Chris' New Traditional in Woodley Park: In a more formal living room, the Petrie's clean lines make it a good match for French doors and wall molding.
- Julie's Jubilant Loft: In charcoal, the Petrie feels more contemporary. The dark color also stands out nicely against the loft's white painted brick walls.
- James and Rui's LVL Home: Two Petrie sofas together are more flexible than a sectional, and they help to keep this sunny lakeside living room feeling light and airy.
- Yokie's Pops of Color: With a white shag rug and a lucite coffee table, the Petrie feels like a pristine, gallery-style sofa.
- Nicole and Brandon's Oak Park Bungalow: This isn't the Petrie sofa, but rather the Petrie armchair and ottoman (also available from Crate & Barrel). In a hallway landing lined with books, it feels very library chic.
More Information: Crate and Barrel Petrie Sofa, $1,500 - $1600
Photos: Evan Thomas, Lindsay Segal, Judy Miller, Leah Moss, Kristen Lubbe, Traci Roloff, Yokie / Small Cool 2008
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^ my thoughts exactly.
LOVE Summer and Josh Thornton's place!!
Definitely Bright, Bold, and Beautiful ~~
Laura Trevey
www.brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com
I love this couch, but mostly I love the lines. What I love most is the color choices you can get with it -- I can't understand anyone wanting to get the white. After seeing the floor model's armrests, that threw me off of the white! Bravo to Julie for pulling a different color from the list of 10-15 choices you have. It looks lovely.
Laura
http://www.justalittlebit.net
Really like this couch - but full on mcm is not my thing - so it would have to work with more casual furnishings - rustic/cottage - not sure it would. Anyone? We are considering it though or i should say were- now that I have read about the button issue...maybe not. Still like the style.
Good catch on the arco lamp. It's stylish and fits the decor, so I can see why three people would coincidentally have it.
I've been contemplating getting this couch, a vintage MCM couch (should one magically pop up in my price range), or the Macy's Corona sofa. Definitely not in white though!
I've been wanting this couch for months and saving up my pennies. Reading the reviews about the buttons are a bit concerning, though. I love the range of colors.
The Jasper from R&B has a similar mcm shape, but without the button tufting. It's about $100 LESS and has available slipcovers, which might be a better option for those looking for a sturdy sofa or have kids/dogs etc.
Anyone have experience with the Jasper?
How funny! I was crushed when I went to C&B to sit on the Petrie and found it to be about as comfortable as sitting on a piece of cardboard.
Sooooo, the five of us made a pilgrimage to Room and Board to try out the Jasper, which is very comfortable. Throw in the slipcover option and we were sold.
Thanks EmmaG! I havent sat on either as I live in Phoenix (the Petrie is backordered here and no R&B).
I think I know which one I'm going with!
I was soooo excited to see one of these in person at the store. Then I sat on it. It was so hard and deflated. Maybe it was the store model, but that is not a very good excuse. A sofa should be comfy. I love the way this couch looks, but I found it uncomfortable. bummer, dude
I think taking written advice about how "comfy" a sofa is is like having someone describe the comfort of a pair of shoes.
It's too personal, and too many variables.
I took the leap and bought the petrie in Charcoal when we were furnishing our place and don't regret it for a moment. Thought my heart bleeds from our cats' attempts to destroy it, its holding up well. And the shape! Ah! It's a dream come true.
It's been 6 months and its super comfy. Many naps and sleeps were taken on it with no harm.
if you're looking for slipcovers and a way to save money, go IKEA - http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/S09840535 and switch out the legs to dark brown.
I am Julie, of Julie's Jubilant Loft. My Petrie sofa is not charcoal, but moss (green).
We've had this sofa for about six months. I love love LOVE it, as does my hubby! He's 6'2" and can stretch out fully on it, which was a BIG selling point for me. It's comfy and deep enough for both of us to fit on it. We have the white and it shows cat hair, but vacuuming it takes care of that.
On the button issue, I have had one button come off, but it's a simple fix. You can unzip and pull out the cushions, then sew the button back on. I just need to find the time to do it... :-)
I just got this sofa. I wanted the light blue (camden tranquil), but what was available second hand in my area was white. The blue had an 8-10 week wait from C&B. Plus, honestly, I had a bad service experience with C&B, so I chose not to buy from them. (I got it used on Craigslist for half the retail price, and it looks like new.) So far, I love it. I don't have kids or pets, so I'm not too worried about the white. I figure I can always cover it with a throw. Plus, it looks better to me a little worn. Personally, I do find it to be comfortable. I just mention this because some folks have said it is uncomfortable--different people have different preferences, I suppose. :) I also find it to be stable and solid--though quite lightweight, which appealed to me.
Don't do it! I love the look of my Petrie. And it is actually quite comfortable - except for those damn buttons! They dig into your butt and legs - if you are wearing shorts or pajama bottoms, really any material thinner than jeans, those buttons will gouge your backside. I've had the couch for four years now and six of the buttons have come off - surprisingly not because I pulled them off - sure it makes it easier to sit on but looks like shit. Bummed.