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The Coolest Couches for Your Home

Couches for every space and taste

By Sara Eizen July 16, 2013

0913adlercouch

This article originally appeared in the September 2013 issue of Seattle magazine.

GET A LEG UP
This fall, West Elm (South Lake Union, 2201 Westlake; 206.467.5798; westelm.com), always a reliable source for stylish, affordable design, brings us the James Harrison collection from the award-winning U.K.-based designer known for producing high-end, design-forward furniture and interior pieces. The simply tailored settee ($1,099), part of a three-piece collection that includes a rocker and winged chair, features exposed wood frames and down-wrapped cushions swathed in brushed heather cotton or obsidian leather. Also new for fall, West Elm is letting customers pick the legs on their sofas with choices that include the cone, round taper or square taper leg—all for no extra charge.
PARISIEN PANACHE
The Ruché sofa (starting at $4,770), designed by Inga Sempé and available at Ligne Roset (South Lake Union, 112 Westlake Ave. N; 206.341.9990; ligne-roset-usa.com), brings wardrobe whimsy to the couch form. The sofa, as its name gives away, was inspired by the gathered-fabric sewing technique. Its quilted bottom cushion can be easily, artfully shifted to create a fully covered or a left- or right-hand-arm configuration. The Ruché comes in three frame finishes (natural beech, red beech and stained anthracite) and a plethora of colorful cover options, pick from any of 53 different fabric collections of velours, wools, cloths, microfibers and three different leather grades.  
DOUBLE IDENTITY
The Gus Harbord Loft bi-sectional ($2,999), available at Area 51 (Capitol Hill, 401 E Pike St.; 206.568.4782; area51seattle.com), is a compact sectional with midcentury-inspired styling, such as blind-tufted (sans buttons) upholstery, flanged arms and tapered wood legs. The chic chaise, which debuted last year, can be configured to the left or right side or as stand-alone seating (as shown below). Plus, it comes in three durable fabric options, from light gray to charcoal, and the base is composed of 100-percent FSC-certified hardwood.
MUSEUM PIECE
The Arflex Strips sofa, which recently arrived on Inform Interiors’ (South Lake Union, 300 Dexter Ave. N; 206.622.1608; informseattle.com) showroom floor, can truly be described as a work of art. Introduced in 2003, the sofa is part of the famed Arflex collection designed in 1972, which is on display in museums ranging from the Triennale in Milan to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The tempting bundles of softness (the sofa is wrapped in removable quilted covers) come in a variety of shades (warm orange to classic white), lengths and two different depths, including one that allows a full-bed mode.
SLEEK SHAPE-SHIFTER
Those living in compact spaces need furniture that can multi-task. Enter Eden ($999), a new couch from Room & Board  (University Village; 2675 NE University Village St.; 206.336.4676; roomandboard.com) that can shape-shift into a three-seat couch, a two-seat couch with a “table” surface in the middle or into a bed. This small-space solution comes with big style, walnut tapered legs and in four colors, grey, beige, red and smoke.
LOUNGE APPEAL
Now that Jonathan Adler (University Village, 2650 NE Village Lane; 206.525.0930; jonathanadler.com) has finally arrived on Seattle’s shopping scene, we can actually test-sit some of the designer’s most iconic furniture. Like his impossibly posh Lampert Lounger (pictured above, starting at $3,195), for example. First introduced in 2008 and revised in 2010, the couch’s backless style is the perfect solution for an unobtrusive and functional partition, allowing two living spaces to segue into each other. You can create your own tailored luxe look with one of the 54 fabrics, ranging from lush velvets to pops of color in linen and classic wools, and nine base selections available in white, wenge, walnut and more.

 

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