We love the design of the classic telephone chair for a little tête-à-tête. But what about introducing a seat for a third? How do you keep everyone close and cosy for conversation? That's where this design comes in, and we think it's so cool!
It's the Axel Three-Seater from Anthropologie, which is an online exclusive available there now. It's the floating furniture's answer to the sofa, with a design that could easily be a fixture in the center of a room. Handmade in the US and upholstered in linen, it unfortunately has a pretty price tag: $2,698.
Find it: Axel Three-Seater at Anthropologie

White Enamel Four-P...
This reminds me of antique furniture designed for a courting couple and a chaperone.
Nothing new under the sun....
It strikes me as more of a public seating type of design, not something you'd find in a home. I could imagine a coffee house using a bunch of these to interesting effect. Regardless, I like it!
Unless the seats are large enough to curl up in (and even if they are, the proportions/angles/whatever doesn't seem to invite it) it seems pretty anti-social to me.
I could see this working well in a public setting, i.e. a hotel lobby. However, I probably wouldn't sit in this with a stranger being able to look over my shoulder. It would have to be with two people I know.
sorry... reminds me of the old SNL skit about the love toilet.
hannah_a, yes!!
Sorry, this wouldn't be a realistic option for residential use, at least not for most people.
Kinda cool. It reminds me of a piece of furniture I saw at the Met except that had 2 bigger seats instead. Seemed like a good piece for conversation. This one doesn't look as comfy though.
Derrrrrrrrrp, how on earth is this suitable for a conversation between 3 people, as suggested? You'll be looking at the back of someones head the entire time, or the three of you will have to twist your necks in straining and painful ways.
"...in straining and painful ways..." Nailed it.
I do love the upholstery and the curvy lines, though! The fabric looks almost like distressed white cottage furniture, shabby chic style. Interesting effect on the plushy surfaces.
Anthropologie is the mecca for overpriced vintage-looking furniture for poseurs who can't be bothered to actually find something authentic.
"Anthropologie is the mecca for overpriced vintage-looking furniture for poseurs who can't be bothered to actually find something authentic."
Bingo - We have a winner!
I was hoping there would be a Love Toilet comment... heh heh
Maybe it's because I'm a fan of the trisklele but I find this absolutely adorable. The price..not so much but the chair(s)...yep!
To be fair, I think anthropologie's description has it right: "this [...] simultaneously provides the togetherness of a sofa and the solitude of a chair."
nope
This was just the thing my two sisters and I needed when we were kids. We couldn't sit on the same couch without fighting. (Mom! She's touching me!...)
There are more ornate versions of the same idea in the Napoleon III apartments at the Louvre. They have lower backs, though. Maybe easier to converse in those?