Help Me Select a Sofa

Via La Redoute Canape Charlotte

(Canape Charlotte)

The renovation of our apartment ended the first part of September. We started bringing in the furniture only to find out that the stairwell is/was a tight little monster that wouldn't let our armoire pass through. Finding this out put a thorn in our happy moment of accomplishment. We had to take the armoire back to Marseille.

At least we hadn't ordered the box springs for the bed. There is always a silver lining in ever disappointment. Or at least I like to believe that there is.

We ordered double box springs for the queen size bed, and managed to bring them upstairs without a problem.

 

 

Via Cerise sur la Deco Canape Hanjel

(Canape Hanjel)

 

Elizabeth, a friend who I met through blogging, had asked me months ago if she could rent the apartment. I told her I thought it be ready but to have a back up plan. A few weeks before Elizabeth arrived I told her that the apartment was completed, but the decor was not. I mentioned that we did not have a canape (sofa in English) but that there were armchairs. She didn't mind.

 

Via Ebay Refaire Canape

(Canape NO WAY as French Husband said so.)

 

After Elizabeth, Lorna another blogging friend, came to stay in the apartment. A whole month went by before we were able to go back and start up where we left off.

So the apartment has been renovated, lived in and yet not completely finished. I don't want to add photos until the big moment of "DA-DA!"

The next step is to hang the charcoal drawings of the nude men, bring in the details that make a place a home and find a canape.

Which brings me to the reason of this blog post:

Which sofa should I buy? I have listed the ones I like.

The canape must be large enough to be comfortable but small enough to fit up the stairwell.

200cm x 80cm x 50cm is the maximum. I prefer a dark grey, or sand color canape. It must be comfortable or French Husband will not go for it... he wants it to be new.

The ones listed fit the bill... more or less.

Let me know which one you like by email or in the comment section.

And or if you have any ideas or leads for me.

 

Via Cerise sur la Deco Canape Chenonceau

(Canape Too Cute, and too small... but a sure bet to fit up the stairwell.)

 

Via La Redoute Canape Gris

(Canape Gris as in Grey)

I like the feet on this one. French Husband (Mr. No Fun) simply stated:

"What do the feet have to do with comfort?"

I replied, Have you ever tried standing on your hips?" He didn't get my stupid joke.

 

 

Via Maison du Monde Canape Bruges

(Canape Bruges)

This is one of French Husband's favorite. I don't mind it... it is a far cry from anything I have ever bought. A girl can change, I can change his mind, not that I ever would.

I have to be sure it comes in two parts.

 

 

 

Via Cerises sur la Deco Zenna

(Canape Zenna comes in Voilette, Apple Green, Grey (!) and Orange.

Guess which color I like the best? 

 

Via Ebay Canape XVI 

(Canape Forget About It.)

An old canape that I found on EBAY but oh well, I have to respect the rules.

 

Via Maison du Monde Antoinette

(Canape Antoinette as in Marie.)

The color is not my favorite, though I like the style.

 

Via La Redoute Canape Juliet

(Canape Juliet.)

Fits the bill.

Via LA Redoute Canape Kara

(Canape Too Cool.)

I think it might be too big. Do you like it?

 

Via La Redoute Canape Sacha

(Canape Sacha, I added it because of the name!)

 

Via Maison du Monde Clarisse Canape

(Canape Clarisse)

French Husband's says, I am cheating by adding the ones I like by putting them in a scene verses just a photo of the bare canape.

He knows me well.

 

Which one would you buy if you had to pick one of them?

 

Comments

[Diogenes]

The first sofa is by far the best in my opinion. Classic line, kinda modern kinda traditional.

As for the armoire, many of them are held together with wood nails. They are collapsible. Antique dealers know how to take them apart, you just need a rubber mallet. Takes 10 minutes. Save the pegs, then reconstruct the pieces in the space. I have seen this done many times.

[WR]

Why, Canape Juliet of course:
1. It is grey
2. It is velvet
3. It is comfortable
4. It is an anchoring piece in the apartment because most other pieces are smaller and in the putty/brown color except for the table of course. Hence, the dark grey canape will marry with the table and unify the space.
5. It has clean lines which will contrast well with all of your other chairs.

Amen

[French la Vie]

Diogenes,

You are right about most armoires come apart.
But the one we bought, did not. Period.
We found another. I'll show it soon. It came apart like most old armoires do.

[WR]

Canape Deco Zenna would be my very close to first, second choice.

[Bev S.]

When we had a designer help us with picking out a sofa (we had young children at the time) she said that we should get a sofa that did not have removable pillows for the back. We took her advice and have been pleased with our choice. As far as FH's choice, if you are wanting folks to gather together and enjoy each other's company, it would be great!

[Carolyn M.]

Well, there are several that I like,however, one thing I would suggest is to get one with three seat cushions as opposed to two. The reason being that if there are three people for some reason no one wants to sit in between someone on a two cushion sofa. Even if there's room. Three cushions will fit three people easily. And they'll use it. I learned that in a design class years ago and have found it to be true.

[Cathi]

The Juliet or Clarisse are my picks!

[Debbie Z.]

My two favorites are Via La Redoute Canape Gris and Via La Redoute Canape Juliet. They both look like they have comfortable back cushions and would be a lovely place to curl up. I agree with FH, when you reach a certain age comfort trumps design and while some of the others are beautiful to look at, they don't look as comfortable to sit or relax on.

[Rhonda]

Ooh, the last one, Clarisse canapé - it's perfect!

[Lil]

For looks Canape Chenonceau.
For comfort, your husband's choice Bruges. But would it fit size wise and looks wise in the apartment? Also it looks big enough for someone to sleep on in a pinch, or if one's bed mate is snoring too loudly!

[Laura @ 52 FLEA]

My vote goes to Canape Juliet!

[Brother Mathew]

How the hell are we supposed to choose a couch without being able to try it out? Impossible! I guess this falls into the, "it is better to look good than to feel good" category. Sit on the Hanjel or the Sacha. Buy the one that's most comfortable.

[Susan young]

Definitely Canapé Bruges! Perfect for snuggling after a long day at the brocante!

[Rebecca]

I like Canape Juliet. Nice feet AND it looks comfortable.

[liz]

Zena, Juliet, or Sacha...You can't go wrong with any of them...they are stylish and look comfortable! win/win...

[liz]

spoken like a brother...too funny!

[Toni]

Chenonceau (maybe 2 of them?) or Zenna!

[Julia - Vintage with Laces]

The orange color is disturbing but I really think that Zenna would look gorgeous in grey and it looks comfortable too.

[Carol L]

I have to say I am with your husband on this one. Life is just too short to sit on uncomfortable upholstery pieces. I've bought my fair share of vintage sofas and chairs and now I go for all modern comfort. I love the look of modern mixed with antiques !

I can just picture myself at the end of a full day of shopping in Paris lounging on that sofa with a drink and a box of chocolates going over all of my fabulous purchases.

If it turns out to be too large I have to say either the Gris or Juliet. Good Luck !

[Ardis]

Juliet - I like the name!!

[Iowa Julie]

I prefer Juliet, Zenna or Chenonceau. They each look petite, comfortable and in the style of your apartment, and perhaps you could get them in the color of your choice. But whatever you choose will be fabulous.

[Monica]

Kara, Bruges or Charlotte.

[Laurie SF]

I dare you to feather your nest with a contemporary edge and go with the Canape Zenna...in orange. It would be canape too cool.

Add to the mix of your wonderful antique french flair, a large Willem de Kooning like painting.

[Carola of Boxwood Cottage]

Definitely Juliet because it (she) looks pretty and comfy at the same time!

[Ali Moss]

Zenna in grey or Kara. I kind of like Juliet too but it's a little boring and it looks maybe too long for the space. Whatever you pick will be right.

[MT]

Choices... I like Canape Gris, Juliet or Sasha... but Kara is also so pretty :)

[Janet]

Hanjel

[Kathie B]

Which one is the most comfortable to sit on -- and (since you're going to have a succession of guests) the easiest to have cleaned?

[Jody]

I like several of the sofas, but love the comment "Have you ever tried standing on your hips....?" even more :)

[martina]

Canape bruges because of the shape and just very inviting look of the thing. Guests could return to the apartment after a day of touring and relax/fall asleep on it.

[John Powell]

Charlotte or Kara...

[Linda]

Canape Zenna is my first choice. And I'll bet that you would choose orange. Go for it! It would certainly warm up a room especially during the long Winter months and cloudy grey skies. My second choice would be Canape Bruges. It has more possibilities in that it would be so comfy to just stretch out and relax on and still give another person space at at the other end to sit. But I like the looks of the Zenna much better.

[Joan]

Sasha or Juliette. One has to be able to lie on it with your head on the arm and put your legs up after tromping all around Paris for the day. Some of the other couches have arms that are too high to do this.

[pattyg]

Sacha or Juliet!
Comfort and back support are a must though for me!!
Good luck!

[Jeannie]

I am really, really, (obsessively) picky about seating. It has to be comfortable enough to laze around on, not fussy, and classy. I also sit wonky in chairs/sofas - legs over the arms and slouched into a corner. We shopped for my chair for months and finally found it in an antique mall. :) The new ones were poorly made and uncomfortable. So, I would lean towards Juliet, Zara, and Sacha. I was tempted with the one that comes in violet. I think a rich violet would look nice with your greys.

[Vicki]

I would go with Juliet. Your feet touch the ground when you sit on it and the arms are low enough you can take a nap comfortably. My son has a rendition of Bruges. It is great to curl up on but way too deep to sit on comfortably without lots of pillows behind your back. Stylistically, it fits the least.

[JudyO]

The Juliet is my choice. Classic but also looks comfy. I agree that comfort trumps style especially when coming back to apartment after a day out and about in Paris. I'll be very curious to see which one you choose.

[Amylia]

This one is my fav and seems the most comfortable-it would be an interesting addition, I think! Second fav is the orange one (but in gray). Via Maison du Monde Canape Bruges

(Canape Bruges)

[trisha]

Charlotte or Zenna

[LauraInSeattle]

Canape Zenna …in whatever color your heart desires!

[Janet with Eiffel]

Really, really like Charlotte !

[Marilyn]

Canape Juliet is my choice, though there were several others that ran a close second.

[momof5]

Juliette, Zenna, Clarisse, Charlotte. FH choice looks comfy and I laughed at your brother's comment.

[paula s in new mexico]

Zenna or Juliette

[Ana Maria]

Definitely Clarisse!

[Vanna]

I am drooling over the clarisse or the zenna *winks* I know you'll select the perfect one for you. Vanna

[Nan]

There were so many that seemed to be the appropriate look for your space...but I have to say that I think the best choice would be the canapé Gris. It is slightly contemporary which is a good look for mixing with antiques and I think that it appears to be comfortable. Good luck shopping, I wish I could be there to help you choose ( better yet be able to ship you one of our comfortable sofas!)

[Debbie]

I love the Charlotte but inevitably I want a sofa I can stretch out on so its the Charisse for me!

[Chico Sue]

Via Cerise sur la Deco zenna...Orange! OOH LA AND LA

[Mary in MN]

I like the Chenonceau (the pink one), though it's impossible to make any worthwhile comment without knowing the dimensions of the room or proportions of the other furniture.

Keep in mind that your Paris guests probably aren't going to be spending a lot of time lounging on the canapé. They'll be pounding the pavement and then falling asleep.

[Natalie Thiele]

Canapé Juliet! She is very nice looking and has low arms, which are infinitely more comfortable than high or no arms.

[Marjorie Sue]

Zenna seems the cozy one (with a hint of French) that would surround you as curl up to relax after a long day of walking Paris, pour yourself a glass of wine and write in your journal about that wonderful day. Adding a color would brighten the gray theme and pop, but think about spilled wine! If you used violet it would depend on the intensity, if it's dull it might work. Gray might work with colorful floral pillows.

[Kit]

I like Zenna best - and I love the orange, but Juliet would be my next choice.

[Patti Lloyd]

wow, did you ever get feedback on this one! I have to say that I can't pick anything but the orange one! I like the style, but I think the pop of color amidst the neutrals would be so viva la French! I like the idea of something fun, fun, fun!

[Leslie in Portland, Oregon]

I too would pick Via Cerises sur la Deco Zenna, in the orange, and the Juliet would be my second choice. Both look beautiful yet comfortable, but Zenna has that special (dare I say it?) pop!

[Liz]

Canape Zenna in that blockbuster, bursting out all over ORANGE! I think it's classic enough to fit your style, but the orange zing and its nod to modern (classics) is a happy balance. Also, it looks comfy. It would be amazing in a neutral colour scheme. While I love some of the baroque style ones, I do think most look less comfy and at the end of a day's sightseeing (or brocanting), we folk will need to curl up and rest the shanks. Go for it! Re. getting up the stairs, can't you hire one of those mini-lift-crane things in Paris that deliver furniture high rise? I see them all the time in Malta. A friend had one to reach 11 storeys (just!) in a modern block here. I am sure it's possible, but perhaps costly? Imagine that armoire you had to take back to Marseille installed too?!

[[email protected]]

Oh hi!

there is something wrong with every single one of them! The too high arms.......ever sat in one of those? Very uncomfortable......where do you rest your arm? Two seat cushions? Not one comfy place to sit on those sofas.....not even one@

Do not select......(you asked!!!!) one single one! They are all wrong!! (my opinion!)

I am a decorator.......44 years!

www.mccormickinteriors.com take a look.........

COMFORT!!!

One bottom cushion! ONE!! (who wants to sit in the crack?? No one!!) In fact.....no one wants to sit on a short sofa anywhere if there is a crack! I would look for a chair.....or sit on the floor!

I love your blog; I love your style.....you are young, headstrong.....my favorite spirit!

Think comfort, style......conversations......furniture for your life.....furniture that will be your friends......for the rest of your life!

and buy ONE BOOK.

It is brand new......and he is not brand new. Thank God for this book!!

"Mario Buatta. 50 Years of American Interior Decoration." That is the name of the best book on interior decorating published in my lifetime! Buy it. Read it.
and all of your questions will be answered!! (Correctly!!!)

I kid you not!

I may be commenting on the wrong post! the sofa post! That is what I mean to be commenting on.......and I have strong opinions!!!

[[email protected]]

this is quite funny to me.

do any of our comments mean anything or show up anywhere that makes sense?

I cannot wait to see!

I LOVE your blog!!!

Penelope

[Cara]

Most of the time, regardless of how large the sofa, only two people will sit on it. So, in order to keep the room looking larger, I would go for one of the smaller two-seat sofas.

I am sure whatever you choose will be lovely. The orange is not a fave, but several of the others are quite handsome.

[24/7 in France]

Antoinette or the pink one are my favorites but some of the others are lovely too!

[Jennifer Phillipps]

Well now, there is a lot of nice furniture to choose from, but I would say your favourite is my favourite as it has a definite look that I imagine would work in the space and it is just that bit more roomy and shapely...so Via Maison du Monde Clarisse Canape, is No. 1, followed by Canape Charlotte, because it looks like it fits with the feel of the apartment and chandelier et at, though maybe not as comfy! Looking forward to the unveiling! Cheers

[Francesca]

The Chenonceau is adorable. Like a petit bonbon. I would definitely buy it.

[stacy]

I vote for the Deco Zenna - its classic. would you consider an alternate color? i do like gray but the violet could look super cool with the tones of the apartment. looking forward to pics!

[Tracy A.]

#1!!

[Kathleen Rowen]

I agree with French husband.

[Paula]

Hi Corey,
What a decision and what a choice. I like more than a few of them but thinking about the purpose of the said sofa My choices are :

1. Juliet it looks sturdy and comfy and has great legs!
2. Zenna also looks comfy but stylish and comes in grey which is a great colour.

Good luck in the decision making!

[Robin]

Senna is stunning, Antionette is definitely you, though. Both are lovely.

[Dd]

Gris or Juliet
They are all lovely. If I were renting they r the ones I would love to curl up in. Hard to pick wo seeing everything else.

[Nancy W]

Juliet.

[Maggie]

For pure practicality and comfort and a little hit of the moderne, the Bruges is very attractive especially when you pair it with the chandelier and the classic French decor and it is GRAY, great for decorating these days and is you. Gris and Juliet look to be the next comfy, but I agree with one writer that none of them are quite right. Charlotte is beautiful and uncomfortable, Antoinette is the perfect French look, but too small and not comfortable for more than one person. The last one ditto.

If you go for something on the list I'd choose the Bruges (not my style either usually, but there is charm putting something moderne with all the rest) and make your husband very happy as well as guests tired out from trapsing around Paris.

[Maggie]

P.S. Zenna looks comfy and would be great in GRAY, however, it comes off a little Victorian to my eye. Could be a good choice though. Not crazy about tufting.

[Teddee Grace]

Go for classic comfort and sensibility in this large and important piece. You can always make it tie in with the brocante look with throws and pillows. No orange or other crazy colors. Those will go out with the next breeze. I actually like the Bruges. I had one of these sectionals in another life. You can really stretch out either direction and with two people, if you really like each other, the one sitting on the couch part can warm his or her feet on the one sitting on the chaise part. Very cozy, possibly romantic!

[karen]

Bruge looks reallllyyy comfortable but Clarisse is stunning! Good luck! karen...

[becky up a hill]

Canape Bruges, hands down. There are not back cushions that have to be fluffed, and its beautiful.

[marlis]

Via La Redoute Canape Juliet... scrumptious!!

[Sarah]

Hanjel or Zenna love them both!

[dee]

My fav is the Via Maison du Monde Antoinette. Some of the other's don't reflect France and that would disapoint me if I stayed in a Paris apt...

[Debbie klassen]

Definitely go for comfort and classic styling. Also go for a dark gray as this is timeless. You can add pops of color with cushions and throws. You spend a lot of money on this piece of furniture so you want it to last.

[Linda B.]

Either Canape Hanjel or Canape Too Cool are my votes.

[[email protected]]

La Redoute's Canape Juliet reminds me of our Hatherley sofa from Highland House. It has low rounded arms that are perfect for placing a pillow on to rest your head and the cushions are amazingly comfortable, plus it's deep enough for 2 to snuggle :D Ours has 3 removable cushions on the back & seat. I like these because it is so easy to unzip them & pop them in the washer to freshen up! Of the color/fabric choices for the Juliet Canape I liked naturel the best, perhaps with a few toss pillows in velvet...green to match the door shown in La Contessa's blog post "The Paris Apartment", which is how I found your blog!

[La Contessa]

My favorite is the one from EBAY!REFAIRE CANAPE, because I had a similar love seat that my long haired son spied in a shop and here is sits next to me while I type!I had it recovered after a few years and I felt I had made a huge mistake!I loved the tattered look!They all look good!But as my friend stated above MADAME PENELOPE the comfort issue is at stake!The HANJEL and the GRIS ZENNA are definite NO"S!No comfort there........The one FH likes with the lounge would be okay for the two of you but not for company.......thats a hard one to sit people on.They are all beautiful........this last photo speaks to me!But who is going to be sitting around in the apartment all day when PARIS is outside your front GREEN door!(Never change the color nor paint it!)You must pick Corey......I know its tuff and the best would be to drag FH with you to sit and test each and everyone!I ADORED MY STAY PEOPLE IN THE UN-FINSIHED APT.ADORED!!XOXOXOXO

[Linda P.]

Canape Too Cool, Hanjel and Clarissa were my favorites stylistically, but I would have to sit on each to see if they felt comfortable. In particular, I'm worried about the height of the arm on Hanjel. I agree with Penelope that arms that are too high are uncomfortable. For that reason, I would probably choose Juliet all around, even though its a two-cushion seat. I'm a short person, and when sitting on a sofa such as French Husband's favorite, I feel like a toddler sitting in a high chair, my legs sticking out.

[Gladys]

From the Midwest USA--canapé gris--practical, comfortable and with just the right touch of style!

[Laurie]

Oh Corey,
I think Clarisse is very french looking. Not sure about comfort though. Like the style and the color although, the pop of orange would be a lot of fun.

[Kiki]

SIMPLY from the looks: The first one but it sure doesn't look comfy....
WHY GREY - for heaven's sake woman - you CAN'T buy grey in a Parisian flat - you need some colour, it's mostly dark & grey outside, so you'd want as much light as you can get.... ranting over!
Clarisse & Antoinette fits the bill of what i imagine is your style, so does GRIS/GREY from LaRedoute (IF it does come in other coulours????? just kidding...)
I really like the KARA but it looks awfully large!
.... and I'm glad that *I* don't have to take a decision, it would take me some weeks to browse through the shops, magazines and 'bon coin' etc.!

[Peggy Braswell]

no one likes to sit on a crack, single seat cushion for me so therefore I pick Via Maison du Monte Antoinette in a natural linen . xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

[v.j. kohout]

I vote for the canapé Hanjel. It is attractive, larger then some of the other ones, looks comfortable and is not fussy. Nice legs.

[Marsha @ Splenderosa]

LOVE the contemporary one !
Yes, do change, it's unexpected and comfy.
xx's

[Jennifer]

I agree with your brother. Try out the sofa first if you can! By style and looks, I would choose either Bruges or Juliet, because the arms are lower and it looks like you could lie down on either one comfortably!

[The Bold Soul]

About getting it up the stairs: when we bought our rental apartment, we also purchased all the furnishings and the owner told us that when the sofa bed was delivered, it wouldn't fit up the stairs and he had to hire one of those lift things to get it through the window instead. So we knew that, if we ever decided to change the sofa bed (which wasn't really all that long, but it was wider than our narrow Montmartre staircase could handle). WELL - after we closed on the apartment, wouldn't you know it? We discovered the sofa was very comfortable for sitting but the BED part? Totally BROKEN! So we had to get rid of it. And how did we do that? My husband broke the frame up like firewood and took it down to the street in pieces! The only affordable replacement we could find that would fit the small space? A "BZ" clic-clac style sofa bed -- NEVER my preference but for this rental it's what we could afford. And at least we could get it up the damn stairs and into the apartment which also has a tight entry because the kitchen breakfast bar is right in front of the door!

So - live and learn from our nightmare: measure everything before you buy it.