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!
bunny7766 says
We have the Crate and Barrel Petrie sofa. USA made.
Beautiful. My only complaint is the buttons on seat cushions can be
uncomfortable. Other than that very happy. Oh takes about 6 to 8 weeks to make
the sofa.
bepsf says
Pam –
Lazar has a good selection of midcentury styled sofas – plus they’re made in Southern California & North Carolina:
http://www.lazarind.com/ourfurniture.asp?FurnCat=28
pam kueber says
Thanks for the tip, bepsf. We haven’t heard from you for a while! Nice to see you back!
Theresa says
Great choices! Several years ago I was searching for a sofa to complement my mid century decor and I ended up nearly tearing all my hair out! I couldn’t find anything I liked. Thanks to your informative post you’ve now made it easier to find just the right one:)
pam kueber says
Thank you, Theresa. Let us know what you ultimately get!
kimmeth says
too many choices – and I was just thinking about a new sofa! thx!
*bookmark*
pam kueber says
Well, yes, too many choices – but now that are in one place to sort through at least! Good luck, let me know what you end up with !
Rebecca says
Some of these sofas are totally expensive but there are a few that are in the specified range. Regardless, I really love some of the offerings at this site!
http://www.hayneedle.com/furniture/family-room/modern-living-room-furniture.cfm
Margaret says
The Byrd sofa is from EQ3 (http://eq3.com/cat-eq3/process/locale/en_CA/currency/en_CA/page/30058-01.html). They have a few others that might fit the bill.
pam kueber says
Thank you, Margaret!!!
Amy says
Whoops, missed the under $2K part.
pam kueber says
That’s okay. I’ll do a roundup of spendy sofas sometime soon, as well. I really appreciate the tip!!
Amy says
I guess the André goes as low as $1700. My friends have this sofa in one of the larger sizes. It’s lovely.
Amy says
There are two from Room & Board that I think would fit into a mid-century modern or modest home.
André: http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=3047&catalog=filter&menuCatalog=room&menuSubcategory=201198
Reese Sectional: http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=3177&catalog=filter&menuCatalog=room&menuSubcategory=201195
I covet the Reese. I’d get it in gunmetal and then add some colorful throw pillows.
Christina says
I really like Rowe’s Dorset sofa, especially that they carry it in an apartment size as well as the larger size. I had priced it out late last year and it was under $1000.
http://www.rowefurniture.com/product/K520.html?start=1
Jay says
Howdy! Back in the seventies, my parents were given a set of “danish modern” furniture that was covered in a yellow/brown tweed material. Very low and long. It was given to them by a friend who was settling her aunt’s estate. They also got the triangular glass tables that rest on the walnut tripod legs. Anyway, I remember the name on the tag – designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer-Coggin. I googled it and the company is still in business and stating that it’s manufactured in USA. I think the couch was several years old when my parents aquired it and it is no more, the material gave way but they got 25 years out of it. I have a feeling that the stuff now costs $$$$. The company was started in 1953, it doesn’t get any more mid mod then that. Oh well, the end!
pam kueber says
Milo Baughman for Thayer-Coggin is smokin’ hot collectible, I am pretty darn sure. Fabulous!