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!
Gavin Hastings says
Anyone ever hear of SofaCraft in California?
Made in USA, good prices, foam or down, choice of springs and best yet: A Warranty!
pam kueber says
I will add it to my research and the updated post. Thank you, Gavin!
Rob@Wilsonart-Nashville says
The Corona series from Macy’s is awesome and made in Mississippi USA!!! I have another sofa from same manufacturer, MaxHome, that is used daily and with my dog, unbelievable quality. Please people, support jobs in the USA!
duki says
Hi Pam,
Love, LOve, LOVE your sight! Have been following faithfully now for the last nine months or so. I must confess, I’m addicted.
Room & Board also has the Reese L- Shaped sectional that if you flip the arm to the left, looks almost identical to Rob and Laura Petrie’s first sofa.
pam kueber says
well thanks for the LoVe, duki, and for coming out of lurking status! start a-commenting, dear! and yes: my evil goal is to addict you all buhahaha
The Atomic Mom says
LOVE, does not even do this justice….LOVE!!
pam kueber says
🙂
Kristie says
I love my Corona! Its got the right lines, not too fussy (ie expensive) for me to kill my kids over, and they offer custom colors without extra charge. I ordered mine in “paprika” and they are beautiful and fit well with my vintage pieces.
Billie says
I thought I saw some possibilities on the Rowe Furniture site although I have no idea as to their price.
Billie
pam kueber says
thank you, billie, i’ll be checking these out and likely adding some Rowe!
Tut says
Room & Board’s Eugene certainly struck us as being a classic MCM design, and we bought it when redoing our living room.
pam kueber says
yes – how did i miss that? thank you!
Linda says
For anyone in northest Pa. – Penn Furniture in Scranton is a high end furniture store that will knock your suzy decorator socks right off! They have everything from primitive to mid-century modern. Whatever, if it’s in there it’s the best of it’s kind. There is a killer gray linen contemporary sofa in there that I visit regularly. Also check out Baker Furniture company online. They have a wide selection of wonderful contemporary sofas.
pam kueber says
Baker is my favorite. (I have two vintage Baker loveseats, yum.) But: Not under $2K for sure. Will do a post on aspirational mcm sofas soon! Thanks for the tip, Linda!
jane says
I am wondering about the comfort of these sofas. I really want to sit on a sofa before I buy it. I just bought a sofa and looked at thousands on line, but really needed to sit on it to test for comfort, which is really why we buy.
pam kueber says
I agree with you, Jane. I think that many, if not most, of these sofas showcased can be found in brick-and-mortar stores as well as online. If someone sees one they like, they need to dive into the website and figure out where they can go look.
Tikimama says
http://www.plummers.com/home_living_sofas_fabric/item/3473
Plummers has a few sofas that fit the bill. I’m linking to the Paramount, because it says it’s Made in the USA!
Don’t know the quality, as I haven’t checked them out in person, but I used to have an entertainment center from them, lasted for years, through many moves, and only cost $300.