I just about blew my eyeballs out researching this story. I hunted and pecked all over the world wide web looking for affordable, new sofas in the mid century modern style. “Affordable”? The sofas shown here are $700-$1,999. “Mid century modern style”? Some of these are more “modern,” I’d say, than they are “mid century modern”, but I gave some latitude.
Also, I am not an expert on all the modernist furniture designers from back in the day so, again, I erred on the side of including more options rather than getting all twisted about how “authentic” each design might be.
To start, above in the orange: Gracie sofa by Perch Furniture. Based in Portland (there is a bird in their logo tee hee), workshop in LA. These guys get double extra bonus points for rockin’ the orange. (God help me, all the greiged-out neutrals on these furniture websites had me on a rip-roaring rant revival.) Gracie sofa by Perch Furniture.
Orange was too hard to resist for my lead photo, but this Lily sofa (above in gray) from Younger Furniture is my #1 favorite mid century modern reproduction sofa on the market today. As Gavin pointed when I originally posted about Younger, this is very similar to original Dunbar designs. There are additional modern designs from Younger Furniture, which also are well executed — like the sofas and chairs that Dave and Kristin used in their house. Mid century modern sofas from Younger Furniture
When I was at Rejuvenation Lighting two years ago, I saw this line of furniture for sale in their large showroom. It’s Castellano Custom Furniture — made right in Portland, and it sure appeared to be the real deal. I’m not sure it really hits under $2,000, but I’m putting it in anyway, it’s probably in the range. Modern sofa from Castellano Custom Furniture.
Gus Modern has a lot of styles — they seem to be going after this market pretty aggressively. Mid century modern sofas from Gus Modern
I love the look of this Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Cara sofa. Not sure if it’s really less than $2,000, but I’m guessing it’s close. There are some other possibilities in this line, as this is a company that tracks trends. Cara sofa by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
You got your numerous choices from West Elm.
I was surprised that Room & Board did not have a wider array of mid-century modern style sofas. The only one I really thought fit my *I’ll know it when I see it* criteria, and which was less that $2,000, was the Dean. Mid century and modern sofas by Room and Board.
The lines of CB2’s Avec are too forced for me, but it seems to have its fans. Avec sofa from CB2.
Crate & Barrel gets in, with their Petrie Sofa. How do they get away with using that name without licensing it from The Dick Van Dyke Show? Petrie sofa from Crate and Barrel.
Arlington sofa from Pottery Barn.
There are some *possibilities* in this collection by Michael Weiss for Vanguard. One thing to consider and check for, on all the sofas that I show, is their size and scale. Back in the day, sofas were not 40″ deep — oversized — the way they often are today. Some of these sofas are more less-deep and less-high than others — more “authentically” proportioned for smaller mid century rooms with lower ceilings. Mid century = long, low, horizontal lines. On the other hand, deep sofas can be very comfortable if you are tall or large and also if you like to hunker down to watch TV. So — thinking about the proportion of the sofa to your space, vetted with how you will realistically use it, is the task. Note, I also could not get a retail price on this Weiss sofa without giving my coordinates to an online quoting place, which I refuse to do. (This exercise also made me an expert on website design and marketing for furniture makers, I swear. If any manufacturers want to hire me for a 25-point checkup, send me an email.) I’m going to guess that this, and others in this Vanguard line come in under $2,000 if you don’t go too crazy with the upholstery. Michael Weiss mid century style sofas for Vanguard.
Don’t forget to check Ethan Allen.
Here’s the True Modern Luna sofa, with its Danish Modern legs. Check out this company’s Sample Sale area, too. Luna Sofa from True Modern Furniture.
Blu Dot has a few options, and sounds like an interesting company. Paramount sofa by Blu Dot.
Bloom sofa from Dania. $699 – made in China. Don’t yell about only this one, though, I think most of the Gus Moderns are from China, too. I did not check country of origin as I did this research. Dania’s other sofas also are modern designs, at relatively low prices. Bloom sofa from Dania.
Okay, I’m sticking this one in — the Blake Sofa at Circle Furniture actually has a 1940s 1950s vintage Heywood Wakefield look, to me, especially with that contrast welting. There is another sofa in their line, the Collingwood, that has a modern feel. It is apartment sized, 75″. Blake Sofa from Circle Furniture.
Hey, do not be forgetting, you can STILL get Heywood-Wakefield sofas — NEW. Yes, they are still being manufactured, by a company that bought the rights. That’s the Margaret, above. I’m not counting this in my “mid century modern” count, though. Heywood-Wakefield sofas still made today.
The sofas at Lee Industries tend much more toward traditional and even wonderful mid-century modest. Boy oh boy, the Lee page is fun to look at — so many shapes and sizes — it’s a sofa primer: Sofas by Lee Industries.
Gosh. I am a perfectionist, so I just kept looking and looking til I couldn’t look no more. Did I miss any companies making mid mod sofas? If so, let me know in Comments, and I’ll add it to this list — which I would love to be #1 most conclusive in the interior design blog world. Thank you!
Tina says
I have this from Urban Outfitters in my living room that isn’t used very often. I don’t think I’d get it for a main sofa, but it looks the part… http://goo.gl/yJhmT
Also.. about a smaller sectional with a mid-century look (sort of), this just arrived at our house and we LOVE it…
http://www.la-z-boy.com/Product/6227-8457/Sectional/?fabric1=A890707
pam kueber says
Tina, I looked at La-Z-Boy, did not see any sofas that fit the bill. Specifically, for this post, was not looking for sectionals. Based on your tip, I will show Urban Outfitter’s Night & Day when I revise this post. Armless — like yours — I am not going to add to this post, but this style is no questio mid-mod-mad. Thanks!
RetroRuth says
Tina! What is the quality like on that Urban Outfitters sofa? It is the #1 possiblity on our list for our tiki room seating, so I would love to know!
Tina says
I wouldn’t have it for everyday use. It’s in my living room, which gets little use. I would imagine it wouldn’t hold up well with any rough use. But it makes a good extra bed for an occasional guest.
Also… The back is metal bars. You wouldn’t want it to show.
BlueJay says
Design Within Reach also has a mid-century sofa in both 73″ and 86″. It’s called the Bantam and is very similar to Macy’s Corona. They are currently having a sale on their site as well!
http://www.dwr.com/product/living/sofas/upholstery/bantam-sofa-73-in.do?sortby=ourPicks
pam kueber says
Ack, how did I forget DWR! Many thanks!
amy pie says
Pam,
New here (but I’ve been “lurking” the site for a few years!)
I own the Bantam (in yellow!) and the reasons I love it are:
a) the cool mid century design
b) the seat is not too deep (I wanted a sofa that wouldn’t hurt my lower back and that no one could slump into). I find it really comfortable to sit upright on this one, unlike many where I sink in. I can actually sit up and watch tv without falling asleep ;).
It is also very easy to move around.
pam kueber says
Well, I’m so glad we got you out of lurking status, Amy! Thanks for the Bantam vote of confidence! And for YELLOW!
Dane says
You mean Design Out of Reach…. I did buy my lights there though….
Diana of Mt. Lebanon, PA says
Are the sofas from Ikea too modern for this post?
pam kueber says
I’ll go look. I was worried about Ikea’s longterm quality….Thanks!
Abigail Grotke says
I’ve got the brown Corona from Macy’s and love it!
Mary says
I’m loving my Petrie sofa…..in grey!
kurt says
White on White make a good inexpensive Florance Knoll knockoff.
http://www.whiteonwhite.com/ 1500 bucks- I had one and the quality is great.
pam kueber says
Thank you. Horrific website.
Coleen says
Hello,
Is this sofa comfortable? I love the look.
Gavin Hastings says
Mid Century Modern And More!
The Gold/Williams, Petrie, Arlington and Weiss sofas could easily fit into traditional rooms. Depending on fabric choice, they could easily be as dressed high-style or casual.
Good research!
pam kueber says
Thanks. Yes, I totally agree — a number of these have “classic” lines — I like the Castellano a lot, too. Also, there are other sofas among a number of the manufacturers that could fit the bill. As much as anything, I wanted to get the list of manufacturers out there…
Jason says
Yay Corona! I have the sofa, chair and ottoman.
Wade says
Hi Pam,
I’m currently shopping for a small sectional sofa. I’ve checked out Room & Board and Gus Modern and plan to see a Younger product soon.
I too had heard that Gus Modern was made in China so I asked my local retailer to confirm or deny. They sent back a note from their Gus rep with the following:
“To answer your question, yes, the majority of our product line is manufactured in China. We do not source our product in China, rather, it is designed at the Gus* head office in Toronto and manufactured at our Gus* manufacturing facility in China. Additionally, there are items from the collection (mostly ottomans and accessories) that are manufactured in Canada.
We are proud that our all of our upholstery is FSC certified, which means the internal wood found in our sofas is sourced from well managed forests.”
I used the word “sourced” incorrectly in my initial question, thus the “tone” of their response.
I’ll be buying something made here in the US after finding the right one for me.
Wade says
Pam,
Sorry if this is in the wrong spot, but had to share it knowing your current love of the orange.
http://www.rocketcentury.com/Store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=14&idproduct=129
pam kueber says
luv it, thank you, wade!
Allison says
I just saw the Corona and Morgan sofas in Macys and they are quite nice in person. I think we’ll end up getting one of them.
Kelly A. says
I bought the Corona Sofa from Macy’s last May and I get a lot of compliments on it. I really wanted the Pear color but opted for the Stone (just in case I changed my mind about green). Since I didn’t already have a Macy’s charge card, I was able to save 15% by opening one; and, I got it during a ‘pay no tax’ sales event. I really scored!