WHY DID SOFAS GET SO BIG? I do not know. But you have to admit these supersized sofas are statement-makers. And that’s before we even get to — upholstery. This 1972 wonder belongs to Lynne’s Lens, a flickr friend. She bought it 10 years ago from a house with purple shag carpet and Peter Max wallpaper. It had two more pieces that made it *too big* for her house and she gave them to a friend. Mr. Retro Renovation loves this sofa. Read on — you’ll like the next one, too, I promise…
Reader Cindy D sends this great find – Elvis’ Honeymoon Cottage, with a built-in circular sofa that is 64′ long. Yes: sixty-four feet. Maybe “conversation pits and built-in sofas came out Frank Lloyd Wright-esque design, where he built the furniture right into the house? This photo was featured on the Eastside Real Estate Buzz blog. Elvis’ and Priscilla’s honeymoon hideway is in Palm Springs. It was designed by William Krisel for developer Robert Alexander and his wife Helene, and it’s comprised of four perfect circles. (See a link about the house’s design here, thanks to reader Frank.) You can rent the house for events and such – check it out here. Hey: Another Retro Renovation Clubhouse site. After the MacArthur Foundation gives us one of those gazillion dollar grants.
Of course we’ve seen some other supersized sofas before, as part of conversation pits. Remember Leslie’s kitschy dreamboat time capsule? Hi Leslie, how are you doing! Buy any Moss lamps lately? Hmmm. I guess this isn’t an entire sofa, but you’re on the homepage again anyway because this is so in the spirit.
And remember this time capsule from Des Moines. Another super popular post, with a supersized conversation pit and much, much more in this utterly swoonable house — one of our very best time capsules ever.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I love these giant sofas. I want one in the worst way. It looks like the perfect place to flop with the kids and a bowl of popcorn to watch something good on TCM.
Those couches are awesome!. I’d never be able to keep the dogs off, but at least there would be room for everyone.
Giant sofas like these – and conversation pits in huge living rooms – always make me smile & think of some glamorous movie set. I love the Elvis & Priscilla honeymoon cottage (because it is in Palm Springs) , but my favorite of the four featured is Leslie’s fabulous conversation pit. If that were in my house, I’d never leave it. And it’s hard to believe that the red & blue zigzag sofa was even bigger than it is now.
I’m just contemplating the hours spent cleaning in between and beneath cushions and sofas!
Pam, I’m running out of smelling salts, LOL!
Good morning Pam,
William Krisel designed the Alexander’s Palm Springs home with the big couch as well as many of the modern tracts built by the Alexanders. Below is some information about Mr. Krisel who is still working and attends many Palm Springs modern events. Unfortunately the Alexanders, father, son, and wives, were killed in a plan crash in 1965.
http://www.psmodcom.com/Architects%20Pages/PalmerKrisel/PalmerKrisel8.html
Frank, thank you for that important correction. The only architect I’ve really studied (and barely) is Royal Barry Wills. So I really appreciate those of you way smarter than me on this subject to help me keep these correct! I’ve correct the story.
Frank – Great link!!!!
fantastic article and oh talk about comfy and cool entertaining!
LOOOOVe your blog!
~hugs
desertnana
hi! first id like to say that i discovered your site a couple weeks ago and i love it. my dream is to one day have a vintage/retro inspired home. i had to comment on this particular post because i am a pretty big Elvis fan but i have never seen the pics of the honeymoon hideaway! wow.
Elvis’ Honeymoon Cottage is very hip! That is definitely a party room. We have the exact opposite couch problem at our house….the contemporary sectional we bought for our last house is ridiculously large in our 1300-sq ft ranch house. Now if I only I could make it look swanky and built in…
after living in philadelphia, where the idea of trying to fit ANY of these sofas into the average row home would be impossible, it’s refreshing to see such fun sofas!! Even my MCM friends back in Philly were forced into buying the ikea one piece in order to fit a sofa through the sometimes 24″ stairwells…
Hi again! I just posted about my retro-1940s ironing board cover and thought you might be interested in the Michael Miller fabric collections. (See “Classics”) as other readers may be able to use his fabrics within their mid-century homes!
Pam here: Thanks, Maureen, here is the link to Michael Miller’s classics: http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/MMF/Swatch.cfm?&Gnam=Classics