Retro Renovation» sofa

Mid-century modern sofas, chairs and accessories from Gus Modern

pam kueber — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:00:32 +0000

If you are looking to furnish your mid-century home, I’d almost always advise: Don’t be a dope, buy vintage. Big pieces — like dining room sets and bedroom sets and even kitchen dinettes are out there, made of excellent old-fashioned quality, and available at good prices relative to buying “new”. However, the one piece of furniture that it can be very difficult to source vintage is: A sofa. Tip: Click first thumbnail, above, to launch slide show. Use the arrow below each image to move forward.
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Of course, vintage sofas can be wonderful, with their lines and original upholstery. But, they almost always need re-upholstering – the fabric gets worn, the stuffing gets hard, the smokers left their smell, etc. And honey, re-upholstering is going to cost you money. Probably more than buying one of these Gus Modern sofas new. I particularly like the tidy tufting and single cushion seat on the Spencer sofa, but there are other nice ones to choose from, as well. I also like the Carmichael chair — it looks like it’s not too big, not too small, just right. And, the extruded aluminum chair rails in 3′ and 5′ lengths — handy! — I think I need these for my office for all my inspirations (aka tchotchkes).

The Gus Modern sofas are more than double the price of a Macy’s Corona sofa, another sofa choice we have collectively spotted and which many readers have reported purchasing on sale for around $700. I can’t speak for the quality difference as I have only seen them online. If you’re in the market — I think it’s well worth doing a personal comparison (and watching for a sale). Website: Gus Modern Furniture. Snaps to Apartment Therapy, where I first read about this brand.

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Natalie’s mid-century sofa

pam kueber — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:01:46 +0000

It’s 3-for-Wednesday Reader Shout-Outs. First up: Natalie’s fabulous sofa. She writes:

Pam – I wanted to share with you the couch I purchased on Craigslist yesterday for $75. I have been searching for a mid-century modern couch for a few months now – going to estate sales, garage sales, and craigslist. It is hard for me to find the good items at estate sales since they start on Thursdays and Fridays and I have to work those days. Anyway, I was doing my daily search and came across this gem. I emailed the owner and he still had it! Turns out the couch was his Great Aunt’s main couch from 1952 to 2006 when she passed. When she passed, he got the couch, dining table, dining chairs (which had the matching fabric of the couch), and the beautiful china hutch. The table, chairs, and hutch were not for sale and the only reason the couch was was because the wife didn’t like it. Haha. The owner told me he remembered the couch sitting in the same place all the years he knew his Great Aunt, he even mentioned that his mom, who was born ’53, remembered the couch from way back then. To me the couch looks like it has only been sat on a few times. It has a pull out bed and is the heaviest thing I have ever lifted – even without the cushions and mattress! Under the arm rests there are metal bars that go all the way down the side – one of the pictures shows the first metal bar. And this couch is small to me. I think I am just used to the gigantic couches of today. Anyway, I think this is an amazing find and it matches our $40 record player coffee table (which is in need to a new something or other to make a loud buzzing go away). Craigslist is amazing. Just wanted to share! Thanks! =)

I asked Natalie if there were any labels, she said: “No tag. I looked every where on it. It looks like there used to be one on the mattress but that’s it. Makes me kind of sad that I couldn’t find anything. Any other ideas?” Well, Natalie, no — but we’ll all keep an eye out. That’s a pretty distinctive sofa – and a great story. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing both with us.

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Supersized midcentury sofas

pam kueber — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:59 +0000

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.

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.

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