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As we approach the end of another busy year, Sofa.com shares their favourite projects and reflects on their achievements from 2022…

For us, working collaboratively with various designers has been a real highlight – helping to bring their creative vision to life and seeing our products in a range of gorgeous spaces. The breadth of projects this year has been wonderful, from larger hospitality work, to commercial settings and a wealth of boutique hotels; this is where sofa.com product really comes to life, with bespoke elements and extensive fabric choice meaning no two projects look the same. Here’s what they had to say!

We have compiled some of our favourites of the year, from the hills of Edinburgh to the coastal waters of Cornwall and everywhere in-between, featuring design specifications that we’re most proud of and are thrilled to see completed to such a high standard.

National trust Scotland - Bluebell chairs

One of our most recent collaborative projects has just recently completed in time for the holidays. It was a joy to work with Unique Homestays on the renovation of The Hatch, a pared-back coastal property next to the glimmering seas in Cornwall. Finishing touches in the dining room convey the aesthetic of the property perfectly, but with a slight bias our favourite room has to be the Scandi-inspired living room, featuring our bestselling Isaac sofas.

Unique Homestays - The Hatch

Another key project with Unique Homestays was the completion of Little Inka, a cottage finished with trending combinations of black and brass. This modern farmhouse aesthetic is the perfect setting for our Chesterfield style Patrick loveseat in beautiful vintage leather.

Unique Homestays - Little Inka

Additional highlights include working with The National Trust Scotland, Alice Leigh design, and The Bath Arms to name a few.

Alice Leigh - Claude armchair
Hill Street - Larsen corner sofa

It’s wonderful to look back and celebrate with our customers on the completion of their projects. Thank you to all for working with us, and we look forward to collaborating in the future. As we look towards 2023 and exciting projects on the horizon – we’ve are thrilled to be part of such a vibrant industry.

Crabtree Designs - Bluebell and Humphrey sofas

Cover image: Emma Gurner

About sofa.com

Passionate about outstanding interiors, sofa.com offers a diverse and design led collection of made-to-order sofas, armchairs, beds, footstools and home accessories. With an extensive range of styles and over 100 fabrics to choose from, as well as the option to upholster in your own fabric, the customisable nature of sofa.com’s products make each piece easily adaptable to any interior style – perfect for interior designers and specifiers looking for stand-out pieces for upcoming projects.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a minimalist monochrome residential design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, MOON bureau.

SBID Awards Category: CGI & Visualisation

Practice: Moon Bureau

Project: The Hills

Location: Odesa, Ukraine

What was the client’s brief? 

“THE HILLS” is a home project for a young family of programmers who love to travel around Africa. The main design challenge was to create a barrier-free space with plenty of natural light. The clients wanted the atmosphere of their home to be reminiscent of their travels in Africa. They also wished for a monochrome interior with natural materials in mind and a minimum amount of furniture.

What inspired the design of the project?

We were inspired by photographs and stories about the magnificent nature of Namibia, where the endless ocean borders the desert. Our team has recreated this mesmerizing atmosphere within the interior design. The entire interior is made in pastel colors that resemble dunes and do not distract from the beautiful view outside the window. An original palette of natural shades, materials and panoramic glazing has erased the boundaries between the living room and the surrounding landscape. In this endless space, we have located a cozy lounge area, combining it under the dome of an ultra-stylish, modular Pole lamp.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

We used kitchen model Artematica. Materials such as decorative plaster, glossy glass facades, brushed metal and natural stone were used. The central part of the working surface is closed by a lifting mechanism. In the center of the kitchen is a multifunctional island. We represent how pleasant it will be to meet the first rays of the sun with a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

In the bedroom in we used textured travertine and decorative plaster, and in the dressing room – transparency changing smart-glass panels. Smart glass is a multi-layer product in which the middle layer is made of a liquid crystal film. When the smart glass is impacted by electricity, the glass instantly becomes transparent.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

I decided to take part in the competition because I wanted to show the creativity and talent of Ukrainian designers to a wider audience. It was an internal challenge to compare myself with modern European designers, to see how my work stands in the context of the current world design.

Questions answered by Tetiana Sytova, Founder and Chief Designer, MOON bureau.

We hope you feel inspired by this week’s design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a creative restaurant and bar venue design by DesignLSM, click here to read it.

Angel O’Donnell were asked to interior design a penthouse and sub-penthouse inside One St. John’s Wood, a new luxury development in NW8. Both residences enjoy the rarest of London views: big skies, treetops as far as the eye can see, golden sunrises, showstopping sunsets and, of course, the legendary Lord’s Cricket Ground.

This happy blend of nature and iconic architecture inspired many choices – from hand-drawn floral motifs to sculptural furniture and geometric patterns. Each apartment, while different, feels part of an exclusive collection, something our client was keen to achieve.

In full flow

The rippling bronze coffee table base. The oscillating lines on the rug that resemble light-dappled water. The dimpled vase. The curled wooden bowl. Even the folds and twisted leather piping on the cushions. These fluid and irregular shapes balance the clean-lined simplicity of the joinery.

While the sofa Angel O’Donnell designed – with its walnut plinth base and mix of textured linen and multi-yarn weaves – is low-slung to maximise the views outside.

Making a splash

The designers upholstered these two Vladimir Kagan armchairs in a soft Edelman leather. They love their shape, like the flukes of a whale’s tail emerging from the watery deep.

In the mix

Arranging shapes, textures and colours is a way of forging relationships between seemingly disparate objects. It could be a conical lampshade paired with a pyramidal sculpture. Or a set of mixed-media collages that share tonal similarities with wood, brass and marble finishes. By selecting pieces with commonalities, the team brought an unsuspecting corner of the living room to life.

Cushion the blow

Striped cushions of multi-coloured linen yarns. Stone-washed cushions with handmade leather straps. And a superabundance of pillows and throws. It’s what every bedroom deserves.

Artwork depicting Singapore’s Garden City – with its intersecting lines and architectural supertrees – complement the elliptical shapes and parallel lines elsewhere in the room.

Go native

Against the cool calm of the white cotton sheets, dove-grey headboard and evergreen cushions, sit two bold fabrics inspired by Native American iconography. The mix of print and embroidery, geometric motifs and bright colours invigorate the warm neutrals in the scheme.

Turn over a new leaf

The flourishing mural of large leaves, delicate pods and long grasses has been hand drawn and printed onto panels. The design is exuberant and life-affirming – and a pleasing counterpoint to the measured fumed oak side tables, and cushions with their neat arrangement of teal, mint and ochre circles and crescents.

In good shape

The large bronze table lamp resembles a Stonehenge monolith. Its substantial frame provides a visual backbone to the mix of soft, plump and lean shapes in the room. Whether it’s the reassuringly rounded profile of the Marenco sofa or the shiny accents of the glamorous Hollywood Regency coffee table – there’s plenty to savour.

Lean into it

Like Disney’s Pixar lamp, our thin-stemmed floor light has an animated quality. As it leans over the two bespoke lounge chairs, its posture appears inquisitive. Its reflective copper shade mirrors the gleam of the coffee table. While its angled rod echoes the diagonals in the wool, mohair and alpaca fabric of the chairs.

All clear

The glass- and ash-wood table was designed in-house. The base, which pays homage to miyadaiku Japanese carpentry, is cunningly simple. No bolts or nails. Just five interlocking pieces of wood that form a top with four triangular legs. It looks architectural, skeletal even. The precision of the half lap joints combined with the drama of the scorched wood are beautiful to behold.

Angel O'Donnell (39)

Looking sharp

Structural forms and materials continue to flourish throughout the apartment. In particular, the Roman-like arches of the headboard and the ziggurat-inspired shape of the lamps. These speak to the riot of architectural genres found in the neighbouring Lord’s Cricket Ground. We especially love how the lamps’ teeth look wincingly sharp against the smooth, burgundy velvet.

Butter wouldn’t melt

In the same bedroom, vintage drawers painted a pale buttercup, a flower-like wall light and an impressionist landscape create a bucolic scene. It’s a surprising contrast to the industrial-looking lamps diagonally opposite. And that’s what St. John’s Wood is all about: village sensibility mingled with a little raw-edged urban style.

Green to be seen

A dark, moss velvet headboard further endears us to nature. So, too, do the opal-glass wall lamps and chunky hand-knotted throw. There’s a soft, rounded wholesomeness to these pieces, which is gently counterpointed by the geometric patterns of the cushions, and sharp detailing of the art deco bedsides.

In the frame

A large piece of art – coppery, elemental, strong – provides a striking focal point in a room filled with houndstooth and lightly stippled pear-hued cushions, linen and lambswool throws, and pale grey upholstered walls.

Just as nature ages, the pleated brass pendant lights will patina over time and develop some of the dark, rich tones present in the artwork.

Photo credit: Taran Wilkhu

About Angel O’Donnell

Since launching our London interior design studio in 2018, Angel O’Donnell has won a variety of international awards – both for our designs and for our outstanding client-focused work ethic. Our portfolio features a diverse mix of projects – from Deco-inspired penthouses and traditional country retreats to contemporary Greek villas, modular student accommodation and luxury show apartments in multi-unit developments, including the rapidly popular Build to Rent sector. And that’s what we’re all about: creating an assortment of styles that elevate, enhance and embolden every project we do. There’s no signature look. Just exquisite design and impeccable quality.

If you’d like to feature your project news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

As biophilic design grows in popularity (no pun intended!) so does the number of interior projects where clients request a green ‘infusion’ in their refurbished homes.

Biophilia, or the love of nature, provides a connection to the natural world and instils a sense of wellbeing through the creation of a healthy environment. The air quality in a city dwelling is said to improve, through the air-purifying potential of plants, with certain varieties able to remove many pollutants. No small feat, considering indoor air quality is often inferior to outdoor, with residents breathing in all sorts of undesirable pollution.

The Royal Horticultural Society also reports that the potential psychological and physical benefits of indoor plants include improved mood, reduced stress, better productivity, longer attention span, quicker reaction times on computer tasks, lower blood pressure and a significant reduction in fatigue and headaches. Undoubtedly, this need for repeated and sustained connectivity to nature and its positive impact on people in general, is becoming increasingly important in our busy, urban lives.

The brief then, for this penthouse perched on the River Thames, was to incorporate a biophilic aspect into the space in order to make it a restorative refuge. Other than the views, it was originally an uninspired space and the two large terraces empty and unused. With cohesive vision and contemporary furnishings, it was transformed both inside and out into an attractive and harmonious home. The copious amounts of greenery that were added, including a living wall, together make the space incredibly calm and congenial. The residence now ticks all the boxes with close proximity to work in the Wharf, whilst infusing a sense of spaciousness and serenity. Who wouldn’t want to relax and rejuvenate on a lounger surrounded by vegetation gently rustling in the breeze?

As a biophilic design studio, Oudejans Interiors feels it’s vital to live more sustainably and regularly draws upon the proven benefits of nature as a key design element to create exquisite and enduring residences.

About Oudejans Interiors

Oudejans Interiors, a leading biophilic design studio, draws upon nature, with its many proven benefits, to create beautiful, enduring spaces that engender wellbeing. Our ethos is to live sustainably, increasingly connected to the natural world. When designing interiors, we instil this organic connection to enhance clients’ lifestyles.

If you’d like to feature your project news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern and functional family apartment design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Bajer Sokol.

SBID Awards Category: Residential Apartment Under £1M

Practice: Bajer Sokol

Project: Black in Warsaw

Location: Warsaw, Poland

What was the client’s brief? 

The Black Apartment is located in the center of Warsaw. It’s a 220 m2 space for a married couple with an adult child and a guest room. The owners bought the apartment that at the time of purchase was an open space, without any partition walls inside. After we were provided with guidelines for the division of rooms, we created 7 versions of the functional layout. The apartment is named Black because it was supposed to be dominated by dark colors, but in the process of selecting materials, the interior has been slightly brightened and made warmer. However, dark materials still dominate inside it. The intention was to use materials of very high quality and to equip it with the best modern furniture brands. The budget closed at around £ 2,000 / m2. The project is very detailed, and its implementation shows high manufacturing quality in many details, such as handles, joining materials or stone finishes on furniture.

The implementation took 9 months and we managed to carry it out in accordance with the schedule. Customers expected a high-quality execution and us keeping to the set deadlines. They now enjoy spending time in an apartment already put into use.

What inspired the design of the project?

We had 7 versions of the functional design of the apartment. The clients really wanted to achieve the right balance between aesthetics and functionality, while also keeping huge windows and a view of the surrounding park, planning the rooms in a way that would not sacrifice the space. The final outcome was an apartment that was meticulously designed, where even the laundry room has hidden details proving a comprehensive approach to design.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The best thing about this project was the cooperation with the client! From the start they knew what they wanted to have in the apartment, and it was exactly the design we love. Therefore, we had no problems with the project and cooperation with the client.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The kitchen is the essence of the details in this apartment. All pieces of furniture, handles, shelves and lighting are the result of the collaboration of many contractors and our studio. Nothing here is ready made or coming from a catalog. Shelves are of 4mm veneered aluminum and the whole island, together with the fronts is made of solid stone plates, not sinter. Each handle has been designed in such a way to fit a drawer, dishwasher, refrigerator, or an ordinary cupboard. There are no visible cables or random sockets here. Wardrobes and doors are always the elements of a bigger structure of furniture. The wardrobes are embedded within large built-in panels, doors are always hidden in walls and marked only by door handles. The only doors that have a decorative function are glass Rimadesio built-in doors leading to the night area, or master bathrooms.

In 3 bathrooms of the apartment, you can see the same principle – nothing is accidental! The same stone was used on the floor, walls, or fronts of cabinets. Large format plates with planned divisions. Glass built-in furniture with hidden hinges or mounting profiles. Every visible element is supposed to decorate, be a part of the composition and not random. Equipment by Antonio Lupi, Gessi, Flos or Viega with the gunmetal or satin type finishes harmonize with ceramics and metal elements.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID society is the biggest and best ID organisation in Europe, therefore, to receive an award from you is the biggest achievement for our company and a confirmation that it is of the best quality and approved by you.

Questions answered by Hanna Bajer, Main Architect, and Pawel Sokol, Architect, Bajer Sokol.

Photo credits: Tom Kurek

We hope you feel inspired by this week’s design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a restaurant design by Kotak Design, click here to read it.

Nora Chou is a luxury interior designer working on projects internationally in both the residential and hospitality industry. Focusing on creating layered moments through design, her mission is to create a sense of warmth, life and texture into her designs. Having grown her roots in Hong Kong and proceeding to live in equally vibrant cities including London and New York, she offers a certain cultural and lifestyle sensibility to the way she approaches creating interiors for her clients.

Sky and Earth is a rug collection inspired by colours, life and energy we find in the great outdoors. The handpicked palettes by Nora Chou (“Sunrise”, “Dusk” and “Terra”) encourage colours to be brought into our interior spaces.

Bring in your outdoors.

"Flow Ombre - Sunrise" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue
"Flow Ombre - Sunrise" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue

What was the process of designing Sky & Earth?

When I was first approached by Jeff, the managing director of Silk Avenue, to design a rug for their designer profile range, there were many ideas that came to mind. I find rugs often help ground a space by connecting the interior palette of your chosen furnishings or to make a new statement through colour and texture. From an aesthetic perspective it’s quite similar to how paintings interact with spaces. However, rugs add an additional softness into interiors.

Sky & Earth came to fruition during the Covid lockdown period. Inspired by the Great Outdoors, it is a rug collection that is all about bringing the colours and textures from nature into our interior spaces. From the get-go, I knew that I wanted to create a collection to include a broad range of designs that would fit within different settings whether it be a traditional country house, or a contemporary set up in a high-rise apartment. During the creative process, I found it important to create a collection that is a family of designs and a continuation of the narrative, allowing me to develop and experiment with the creative direction.

The 6 designs from Sky & Earth are captured moments that can be layered into interiors through the hand-picked palettes I have personally selected (“Sunrise”, “Dusk” and Terra”). The designs can also be completely customized to a palette of your choosing. 

"Dots Play - Dusk" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue
"Spring Buds - Sunrise II" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue

Is there anything else we should know about the rugs? 

Silk Avenue manufactures the hand-tufted rugs in Nepal and handles all shipping internationally.

The designs from Sky & Earth are constructed of various compositions. For example, “Spring Buds” has a composition of 100% hand-tufted wool, which is great for hospitality settings and households with children. Generally speaking, wool is low maintenance, bounces back into its original state after being walked on and is typically less flammable than other fibers. The matte finish of wool also allows the colours of the rug to appear richer and deeper.

There are also other designs from the collection with a combination composition of wool and bamboo silk. – “Petals”, “Hydrangea”, “Flow Ombre” “Flow Solid” and “Dots Play”. In these designs certain areas of the rugs are accentuated with bamboo silk and raised pile heights. The slight sheen against the matte background mimics the way light is often reflected through nature and is a play on both texture and surface.

"Petals - Dusk" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue
"Hydrangea - Dusk" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue

Do the rugs come in different sizes?

All of the designs can be customized to any size to suit your interiors. However, we do have standard sizes with the latest pricing that can be found at: www.norachou.com/collection

"Flow Ombre - Sunrise" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue
"Flow Solid - Terra II" from Sky & Earth, a rug collection by Nora Chou exclusively for Silk Avenue

How can someone place an order?

Send an email to [email protected] and [email protected] specifying the design, size and palette of your choosing. Silk Avenue will guide you through the process from there!

Photo Credit: Felix Speller

About Nora Chou

Luxury Interior Designer based in London with a focus on Residential and Hospitality Design. Working on projects internationally, they offer interior design services including but not limited to project management, space planning, sourcing and creating designs that are custom to every project.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Alexander Purcell, a notable British architectural designer, is pleased to introduce the Henley Collection—a sleek and nautically informed array of furniture. Inspired by the racing boats that enable one to enjoy the river, sea, or lake, the Henley Collection is perfect for contemporary homes looking for a sophisticated yet welcoming aesthetic. With its aquatically inspired designs and luxurious materials, the Henley is ideal for any modern home looking to add some flair.

The Henley collection debuted in London with the opening of the new Pavoni flagship showroom at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour on September 5. The showroom carries the entire collection, with all of the upholstered pieces customized with Pavoni’s fine Italian vegetable tanned luxury leathers.

Henley Lounge Chairs (AP Smooth Leather Ink 07123 and Natural Walnut Frame)

The inspiration for the Henley is both quite personal as well as a result of Purcell’s fascination with classic boat design. In fact, the seed for the collection goes way back: In 1998 he and his teammates entered the famous Henley Regatta. His college having not won since 1962, this year proved to be different. Established in 1839, the world-renowned rowing event is held annually on the River Thames in the town of Henley-on-Thames and attracts participants from all over the world. Purcell and his eight ended up winning the extremely competitive Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. Celebrating that feat a few years ago as the team marked the 20th anniversary of their win, Purcell was driven to bring the aqua-dynamic forms and language of racing boats into his furniture collection and so was born the Henley.

Henley Lounge Chairs (AP Velluto Asphalt and Nordic Oak Frame)
Henley Round Dining Table (Nordic Oak and Bronze Base Plate) & Dining Chairs (AP Velluto Dark Clay and Nordic Oak)

The iconic Riva yacht also makes its mark on the collection. Purcell has always loved the luxury wooden runabout built by Italian yacht builder Riva. The shape, speed, beauty, and craftsmanship of their namesake boat, produced from 1962-1996, earned it praise as the Ferrari of the boat world. The vintage yachts are now coveted by boat lovers worldwide.

Henley Rectangular Dining Table (Natural Walnut and Obsidian Base Plate)

With the new Henley collection, the formal nods toward the shape of oars and rowing boat hulls, as well as the elegant silhouettes of the Riva boat are obvious. It all started with the chair arm and its upholstery detail—the rest of the array was built off that one detail with the goal of creating pieces that can be enjoyed both functionally and visually. The collection launches with four designs:

  • The Henley Dining Chair – the jumping off point for the whole collection, the chair features a gently rounded back composed of an upholstered upper half and cut-out lower half, all framed in walnut or oak, that wraps around the sides to meet the upholstered arm front. Particular attention has been paid to the back of these dining chairs as ultimately that the direction in which you actually view them when around a table. Tapered wooden legs and elegant chamfer details add to the stylish look and help create a dashing silhouette when viewed from any angle. The dining chair has a sleek appearance and is a unique piece that will add personality to any space.
  • The Henley Dining Table – the exquisitely crafted warm walnut top gently tapers at the edge, a slope modelled on boat hulls, particularly that of the wooden back of a Riva yacht. The dramatically bisected base utilizes its negative space to create the dynamic illusion that the table is gliding through the water. The two feet are made of an aluminium which can be lacquered or brushed. The table is available in a round or rectangular shape and an array of Atelier Purcell oak and walnut finishes.
  • The Henley Lounge Chair – an elegant chair that would be equally at home welcoming guests in a living room or sitting fireside in a den or bedroom. Informed by the nautical detailing of the Henley dining chair but with a lower profile and featuring a roomier seat with a gently sloped back that wraps the sitter in a graceful embrace. A back pillow is included and an ottoman will be added to the collection soon.
  • Henley Bar & Counter Stools – slender armless stools with the same maritime inspirations as the Henley dining and lounge chairs. These stylish and effortlessly modern stools are available in bar height (36 inches) or counter height (40 inches) and are made from 100% solid hardwood. This contemporary stool is perfect for any setting: at home, in your office, bars or restaurant.
Henley Dining Chair (AP Velluto Dark Clay and Nordic Oak Frame)
Henley Lounge Chairs (AP Velluto Asphalt and Nordic Oak Frame)

The Henley Collection is available now at fine to-the-trade showrooms in the U.S. including B. Peterson in Palm Beach, De Sousa Hughes in San Francisco, Dennis Miller in New York, MOD in Denver, Thomas Lavin in Los Angeles and Laguna, and Paul+ in Atlanta. For more information on the Henley and Alexander Purcell, please visit atelierpurcell.com

Cover image: Henley Dining Chairs & Henley Rectangular Dining Table

About Alexander Purcell

Alexander Purcell is a British designer, based in London and LA with soon-to-open offices in NYC, and a multi-disciplinarian practitioner of industrial design and architectural interiors with his namesake firm as well as the designer of a line of furniture and lighting under the Atelier moniker. Purcell studied architecture at Cambridge University and worked for the iconic Richard Rogers Partnership before going solo in 2009. He quickly became known for elegantly stylish residences and hotels around the world before adding furniture design to his portfolio by collaborating on products with Holly Hunt, Promemoria, Link Outdoor, and De Castelli, among other luxury brands.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Continuing to expand on its contemporary design offering, sofa.com is delighted to introduce its AW22 collection to a trade audience.

Comprising of four new designs across upholstered seating catering for a range of design specifications across commercial and residential projects. The collection includes the new hero range, Tiffany, a vintage-inspired armchair, Shelby, and two new stylish dining chairs, Lola and Piper all available in 75+ fabric options as well as COM to create bespoke options to allow designers breadth of choice.

Piper Dining Chair in Pumice House Basket Weave £240
Tiffany corner sofa in Cosmopolitan smart velvet £3000

Inspired by modern renaissance design – a trend which integrates contemporary shapes with classic detailing to bring together refreshing pieces with a sense of refinement, glamour and a touch of charm from the Art Deco era – each piece incorporates an element of pleated stitching which unites the new look across the collection.

Aissa 2.5 seat sofa in Amber smart velvet £2390

Also including expansions upon two of sofa.com’s bestselling designs, the Larsen armchair and Teddy chaise join AW22. All-time favourites in the sofa range, these pieces offer a more traditional aesthetic to cater for a variety of residential projects.

Larsen armchair in Lichen heathland weave £800
Lola tall back dining chair in Mushroom heathland weave £310

The new colour palette for the season includes velvets in warming autumnal tones – vibrant oranges, forest greens and salmon pinks – alongside a range of weaves in pared-back neutrals and subtle blues and greens. These palettes will help create differing interior styles from modern luxe to a more organic, minimalist aesthetic.

Piper dining chair in Shore heathland weave £270
Shelby armchair in Cruise smart velvet £780

Speaking on the collection, trade development manager Laura Tarratt comments:

“Seating is at the core of this collection and we wanted to ensure each sofa, dining seat or armchair would stand alone as a beautiful, functional residential piece but also work to create a statement within restaurants, bars, office meeting room or set the scene in a hotel lobby. The continued expansion of our dining collection has proven popular with sales increasing season upon season. We also wanted to ensure we weren’t compromising on comfort or style, and have focussed on ensuring optimal dimensions and fillings to create the ultimate design combination of ergonomically sound and elegant. Boasting over 75 fabrics and the option to upholster all pieces in COM, our in-house team can fulfil any project brief becoming a one-stop shop for our growing interior designer clientele base.”

Teddy chaise in Meadow smart velvet £2650

Handmade-to-order in just 4-6 weeks – now available online and in store.

About sofa.com

Passionate about outstanding interiors, sofa.com offers a diverse and design led collection of made-to-order sofas, armchairs, beds, footstools and home accessories. With an extensive range of styles and over 100 fabrics to choose from, as well as the option to upholster in your own fabric, the customisable nature of sofa.com’s products make each piece easily adaptable to any interior style – perfect for interior designers and specifiers looking for stand-out pieces for upcoming projects.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

With the much-anticipated AW22 living and dining collection from Sofa.com that has launched on the 5th September, we have taken this opportunity to look back and share insight from the last 12 months. As we seek to identify trends spotted by our trade team, we can unveil the design and fabric preferences from their elite group of interior designer clientele.

Bentley dining table £580, Arabella chairs from £260
Tiffany Armchair in Rye Viscose Linen £950

Bestselling Fabrics:

The ever-popular collection of cotton matt and smart velvets has now been overtaken in sales volume by the brushed linen cottons – a collection made from 63% cotton and 37% linen offering a stylish and durable upholstery solution. The collection contains a mixture of neutrals and greys, blue and green fabrics with Taupe, Alabaster and Charcoal proving to be most popular.

Other recent launches have also captured the imagination with the Brushstroke fabric collection, already registering as our 8th bestselling line as the tactile nature of the fabric seems to be a requirement that many designers look for.

Izzy medium corner sofa in Dove Grey smart velvet £3100
Alderney armchair in Dusty rose £1030

Bestselling Colours:

Our overall top sellers reflect a return to a pared back palette of neutrals. Overtaking the jewel toned velvets popular for the past few seasons are Pumice, Clay, Taupe, Alabaster and Armour.

Interestingly, the summer months have encouraged designers to opt for custom coverings with an increase in COM orders.

Upcoming fabric launches for AW22 include the Heathland Weaves collection as well as range extensions for Smart Velvets, Boucle, Vermeer Linen and Silky Jacquard Weaves. Available in a selection of neutrals, Heathland Weaves cater for a growing desire amongst designers to utilise greys and pared-back autumnal tones and fabric compositions that are as hard-w earing as they are stylish.

Lola High Back Dining Chairs in Spiced Honey Soft Leather £480, Aspen Dining Table £1900, Tom Dixon Beat wide pendant £355
Thea double bed in Plum £1450

Bestselling shapes:

Delving deeper into the data the trade team have been able to identify the most popular pieces across the board. The modular Cohen has led the way for 2022, its contemporary styling and generous proportions proving popular across an array of design projects. Bluebell remains the perennial favourite, its timeless, classic design offers versatility for traditional and modern schemes.

Bestsellers in each category include the Izzy modular sofa, Alderney armchair, Thea bed, Arabella dining chairs, and Kingsley table.

Bluebell 2.5 Seat Sofa in Taupe Brushed Linen Cotton £1880
Cohen modular sofa in Royal Fern brushed linen cotton £2340

Ever adapting to the needs of our designer clientele base, the sofa.com team are proud to be at the forefront of delivering the highest quality furniture, fulfilling each order to exacting specifications.

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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a industrial artists’ house design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Clara Lleal Interiorista.

House located in the historic centre of Badalona, a city near Barcelona. One of the challenges when it came to the layout of the project was to strategically place the sculptures created by the owner of the house himself, the artist and sculptor Juanma Noguera. In short, an Art Gallery house.

In terms of general aesthetics, the idea was to give the whole space an industrial atmosphere, maintaining and recovering the building’s original materials. The solid brick walls were uncovered, the vaulted iron-beamed ceilings were respected, and areas with the original hydraulic pavement were maintained. The materials used subsequently also follow this industrial premise, concrete, black iron sheet, herringbone floor of recovered wood, and teak wood furniture to break the cold of the greys.

Gaining maximum natural light was also one of the objectives of this project. Several skylights were opened in ceilings, and an inner courtyard was located at the back of the house.

SBID Awards Category: Residential Apartment Under £1M

Practice: Clara Lleal Interiorista

Project: Art Gallery House

Location: Badalona, Spain

What was the client’s brief? 

The main request of the client, who is the sculptor and painter Juanma Noguera, was that his sculptures and paintings would be part of the overall design of the house. In other words, when thinking about the layout and design, we also thought about placing the sculptures in strategic places so that they could be observed and at the same time beautify the space.

What inspired the design of the project?

The construction of the house dates back to the 19th century, coinciding with the industrial period in Catalonia. Therefore, the house has many architectural elements typical of that period, which we wanted to maintain and even restore. The walls were chipped to leave the brickwork exposed, the original cast iron columns were restored, the hydraulic mosaic floor tiles of Mediterranean origin were kept, and the Catalan vaulted ceilings were left exposed. In short, we wanted to recover the industrial essence of the house and give it value.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The spaces were very large and there was a risk that they would not be welcoming, which was of paramount importance to the client. With the combination of materials such as teak wood and dark colours, a cosy atmosphere was definitely achieved.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

One of the main challenges was to gain natural light. It can be said that in an area of 200 square meters there was only one window. Skylights were opened in the roof and in the inner courtyards, as many openings as possible were made so that the house would be bathed in light. We wanted to convey the feeling of well-being and warmth that natural light provides. In addition, from the beginning we wanted to include a lot of natural vegetation that can only live with light.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

Because I had seen SBID award-winning projects that really seemed high level to me, so I thought it would be good to participate.

Questions answered by Clara Lleal, Creative Director, Clara Lleal Interiorista.

We hope you feel inspired by this week’s design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a modern and contrasting kitchen design by Extreme Design, click here to read it.

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