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!
TappanTrailerTami says
Personally, I am a Margaret / HW fan, of the pictures in the post – love the added curvy wood in the front!
Also, I wonder Pam – I was at Rejuvenation two years ago as well (maybe we were there at the same time and didn’t know it!). They had a gorgeous true-authentically-done art deco sofa, complete with the wood trim up the arms, made by a local guy in Portland. Did you see that when you were there? It was just at the top of the stair landing on the 2nd floor. I don’t remember that it was made by Castellano though – and was pretty pricey at $4k.
Speaking of pricey – but some great stuff – Decodame.com has both original stuff, as well as custom order pieces (love their Uptown sofa!) – all for a price, and only “affordable” if money isn’t really an object. Still fun to look at though!
http://www.decodame.com/decofurniture/index.html
pam kueber says
I think all that furniture was Castellano — check out their website. Yes, it may be over my “affordable” mark — but perhaps the quality is that much better…? Back in the day, interestingly enough, good sofas — but still, ones bought by mainstreet America — cost the equivalent of like $5,000!
Gavin Hastings says
I am looking at my mother’s MINT 1964 Henredon curved/tufted sofa right now. It is just one of the items I grabbed (with 4 bigs guys) from her house. The sales slip was under the cushion. $925. (6,500. in todays $)
Christmas meant you got to go in the living room.
pam kueber says
Woah. Yes: $6,500 in today’s dollars!
TappanTrailerTami says
These days, I really think that if you get at least a really solid frame, and quality construction details – a big one is zippered cushion covers, but i don’t think those are very common any more (?) – maybe that’s where today’s price of $5-6k would come in!
If you have zippered covers, then you can have the cushions replaced with latex foam cushions, which are pretty expensive but well worth it in the long run. My mom had a 1968 velvet Flexsteel sofa which had latex cushions and they lasted and held their shape for 25 years!
Jocelyn says
Pam, I’m surprised you didn’t include Room & Board’s Anson Sofa. It’s quite 50s-looking. We considered it for a long time, but eventually the retro gods sent us the tweedy gold vintage couch we’d been looking for…and at $500 instead of $1,900!
pam kueber says
nice! I’ll be doing an update so will note it! thanks!
Zoe says
In addition to the Anson, which someone just beat me to, from Room & Board, I was going to mention the Andre. Also (I’ve been doing research for the “perfect” 40s/mid century couch for years!), I think the Clarke would have fit the bill last year, but now for some reason the website only lists the Clarke as a sectional for ~3k, and mentions you can buy the individual pieces, each of which are, I’m sure, less than 2k.
I have not yet made it to a brick-and-mortar R&B to sit in any of these to evaluate their comfort, but they *look* comfy! I’ve been coveting the Clarke for several years now but I don’t really like the fabrics it comes in. For my money, I also like the Dean (though I think it’s definitely sporting a 40s rather than mid century vibe), and what I’m really hoping for is to find a nearly-mint vintage Florence Knoll sofa in red boucle for cheap at a garage sale 🙂
pam kueber says
Go for it. I feel like we should predetermine a moment when everyone who reads the blog sends out positive vibes to the RDG’s so that everyone finds the sofa they want.
Gavin Hastings says
Are there any MCM sofas out there NOT using foam?
I wonder about its durability, enviromental and health effects, but also its “substance”.
The original forms of these pieces would have needed 4 hefty guys to lift.
pam kueber says
yup, you can always buy: Vintage. but this post was for folks who wanted a modern day off the shelf solution…
gayle romero says
I love this article Pam! We bought the Corona couch and chair from Macy’s in chocolate brown and I have throw pillows in turquoise and deep teal. The quality of the furniture is awesome and we got the couch for $599 and the chair for $499! My front living room will get the Petrie couch next year. We checked it out and it’s great too.
Wendy M says
Thank you! This list is so helpful (and fun to peruse…)
(On a side note, I was in C&B a few weeks ago and talked to a salesperson about the “Petrie”. I wondered why she pronounced it in such a strange way…I assumed she hadn’t seen the show. Now I wonder if that’s their way of attempting to get around the licensing issue. 🙂
Donzie says
Great info. You may want to look at Rowe and Palliser. Palliser has a great 3 pc. sectional with a bumper. I almost bought it but it’s a little to large for my room.
pam kueber says
Thanks for these two tips, donzie!
Rebecca says
awesome article! I never thought about macy’s as a couch source, but those look really nice. Thanks for the research. Bookmarking it. (but that orange would be awesome.) Inspirational, as always!
Kim says
Thanks for posting this! I have been looking to find out what type of sofa and chair I have in my living room. I absolutely love it. It is a gold-orange color. After seeing this post, I think that it is a Kroehler or a knock off of it…
I picked it up at a thift store for $100 for the couch and chair. I wouldn’t get rid of it though. They are my most favorite pieces!
Lisa says
Here’s a sofa we got from Macy’s, a pebbled leather in a lime green: they call it the Astro collection, on sale as well:
http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=285340&cm_mmc=Google_Feed-_-7-_-85-_-MP785
pam kueber says
Thanks, Lisa! Yes — once I show a manufacturer, those who are in buying mode, should jump down each rabbit hole – becasue there may be others in the line equally appealing. Lime green: YOU GO, GIRL!
Rebecca Prichard says
Does my Bantam not count? Or did you miss Design (Not) Within Reach?
http://www.dwr.com/product/living/sofas/upholstery/bantam-sofa-86%22.do?sortby=ourPicks
pam kueber says
I missed DWR. Thanks for all the tips — this is Exactly what I wanted: To build a definitive list!