Better with Age: The Allure of Antique Sofas

published Sep 29, 2011

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There were two sofas in our living room when I was a kid. One was a squishy velvet 1970s couch and the other was a Victorian sofa, with tightly packed and unforgiving seat cushions and a firm upright back. Guess which one the kids fought over? Still, with a little tweaking (maybe even re-stuffing), antique and vintage sofas can actually be quite comfortable (maybe not for TV lounging but certainly for conversation).

Cozy or not, with the right upholstery, antique sofas can evoke a sense of drama, formality or even whimsy in any room. Here are some examples of how an antique sofa can make the difference between a nice room and a stunning one. Neither stodgy nor fussy, these sofas look terrific in all kinds of rooms, from modern to traditional.

Photo: Emilia Jane