Arms’ shape key in determining sofa’s style

Several years ago an attractive and somewhat mysterious Russian woman contracted with me to design and furnish her high-rise condominium. We agreed to make it very glamorous, sort of an ode to the Hollywood of yesteryear, and all went well up to the point when I began to ask her about furniture other than the bed and sofa already installed.

She turned and looked me straight in the eye, never missing a beat, and declared in her sultry accented voice, "For vat I need vit table, I sit down and I lie down!" And that was when I realized that I'd been hired not to design any kind of a pied-à-terre for her to live in -- but rather a place for her to receive "gentlemen callers." With that revelation, I realized my services would no longer be required.

What this story illustrates is that no matter what, a home (for whatever purpose it's to be used) will, in all likelihood, have one thing in common -- and that's a sofa. This piece of furniture is so basic to any kind of lifestyle, anywhere.

Buying a sofa isn't rocket science, but still there are a number of things to consider so that you know just what kind of seating you're ordering. These include comfort, durability (or longevity), space requirements and cost. Whatever style appeals to you, be sure that it meets not only your design needs, but the needs of your family as well, i.e., something practical and strong for the family room.

The design of a sofa can be broken down into two major categories: traditional and contemporary. And these two looks can be further separated into more styles with the use of different types of arms, backs, legs and more .

Contemporary-style sofas can include a channel back, a sectional, be made with metal trim and other contemporary materials, and are always characterized by clean, straight lines. Traditional designs will feature roll arms, tufts, and tight or barrel backs. Both can include seat cushions that are removable (great for cleaning) or attached, whether two or three cushions, or a bench style (one long cushion).

Whether traditional or contemporary, few people probably realize that the style of the sofa is generally set by its arms, which really double as artistic statements as well as rests. In fact, some sofa styles are actually known by the names of these arm designs, which, by the way, also go a long way in determining the actual size of the sofa.

The overall dimensions of a sofa can differ greatly from its interior dimensions based on the scale of the arms. A sofa measuring 90 inches wide sounds like a good size that will comfortably sit several people. But, if the arms are overly large, the actual seating space may be no more than 66 inches wide. The tenet being, the smaller the arm, the more seating space you will actually have on the sofa, which makes good sense and is an important point to bear in mind, especially when dealing with smaller spaces.

Roll arms are usually a traditional look and can vary greatly . A large or wide roll arm will tend to look more rustic or country in feel and is more suitable for larger rooms while a smaller roll will give a more tailored look. Square arms are a more contemporary look and great for small spaces since they can be the most narrow arm style of all.

The tuxedo arm is also very tailored and contemporary with the arms usually the same height as the back of the sofa with the overall shape of the arm and frame very square and straight. The arms of a Lawson-style sofa are usually broad, square or even rounded but they are lower in height than the sofa back with the overall look being overstuffed and boxy in shape with a square back and seat cushions.

Perhaps most basic of all to a sofa's longevity is the frame construction, which can greatly affect the cost of a sofa as well as the quality. Look for kiln-dried hardwood such as oak or maple; and I've often used alder wood in my custom-sofa designs. Also very important is the way the frame is joined together, which will certainly add to the durability of the unit. Better quality sofas are screwed together and use mortise and tenon joints whereas lesser quality sofas are often stapled and not properly braced together at the edges. Ideally, better sofas are also eight-way hand-tied to ensure a long and trouble-free life.

As for the sofa fill itself, this is what actually determines just how soft or firm your cushions will be. All down is the softest, but it's not always the best for those who require more of a firm seat. Down will tend to sag after prolonged use. Polyurethane foam is a synthetic material that will give you a much more durable and firmer seat than using down feathers but may not be as comfortable as all down. A combination of synthetic material and down will be the winning ticket for achieving a soft comfort as well as greater longevity.

Finally, the best of the best (though up there in price) will be cushions that incorporate a spring system to enhance their strength and durability .

Stephen Leon is a licensed interior designer and president of Soleil Design International; he has been designing and manufacturing custom furniture and cabinetry for more than 25 years. He has served on the board of directors of the Central California/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and is a certified professional in green residential design. Questions can be sent to stephen@soleildesigninter
national.com.