French designer furniture company Roche Bobois is a go-to for luxurious, show-stopping, design-led pieces; there’s a range of both sofa beds and sofas, as well as some seriously out-there options (we refer you to their new ‘Mah Jong’ collection) – but the sofa we point you to for your home is the new ‘Cinephile’ corner composition sofa, designed by Philippe Bouix and upholstered in softer-than-soft leather. It has clever adjustable head rests and multi-position backs (you can opt for these to be electric, operated with a remote control – Roche Bobois is renowned for providing a number of customisation options) and is pleasing to look at as well as to sit on. Another to consider is the Long Island modular sofa.
Harrington large chaise
informal sofa to sink into after a long day
Harrington large chaise
Harrington large chaise
The Harrington at Barker and Stonehouse in Lumino Teal is a bestseller, and it’s easy to see why; it’s an informal sofa to sink into after a long day – so yielding, in fact, that you may not wish to make the voyage upstairs to go to bed once you’re fully ensconced. The scatter and bolster cushions are filled with white duck feathers in zipped cases, and it arrives fully assembled – an everyday, hassle-free buy that doesn’t compromise on style. The red-wine-coloured Lumino Wine is also a fun colourway that we haven’t come across elsewhere.
Those who like their leather matte and strokeable will find what they’re after in the slimline yet relaxed and squashy Lyle sofa in tan leather at Habitat. This was by far the nicest leather we encountered at this price point. Perched on chromed ski legs, the narrow frame allows a generous seat for its size, with plump, removable cushions. (W170 x H79 x D87cm).
This luxurious, design-led 3-seater sofa is the result of a collaboration between renowned British designer Lucy Kurrein, Trentino-based design house Molinari Living and The Conran Shop. Billed as a celebration of leather work, it’s inspired in part by boxer’s punching bags, and is said to “transfors the aesthetic of the sporting accessory into a contemporary masterpiece”. The hefty fullness of the cushions contrasts beautifully with the slimness of the legs. It’s miraculously comfortable, the leather is buttery, and it manages to be both firm and squashy at the same time.
This sofa looked fairly unassuming in the House of Fraser showroom on Oxford Street with its dark, block-colour design. But as soon as you sit on it, you won’t want to get up. The velvet texture is soft to touch, and easy to sink into, and you can comfortably slouch on its reclined back. The arm rest is in the perfect position, too. If you’re looking for comfort and pragmatism, this is a safe bet. If, however, you are looking for something a bit showier, we recommend the Harper – a more elaborate shell-like design, but more straight-backed and less comfortable.
