What goes into Designing our Sofa Collections?
, by Ruth Wilbur, 1 min reading time
From Sketch to Showroom: The Story Behind Every Sofa We Make
Every sofa tells a story of design, craft, and care. For us, that story began with Katy, owner of Vintage Sofa Co. and her lifelong love of vintage Chesterfields (the Oskar in particular). Katy was drawn to its enduring beauty, the buttery leather, the deep buttoning, the way a well-made sofa only grows more comfortable with time. These became the guiding principles of our business, something beautiful and enduring.
The appreciation for timeless design was at the heart of our philosophy: to buy once, and buy well. Every sofa we create today carries that same spirit, built to last, designed to be loved for generations.
1. Inspiration and Planning
Early on Katy worked at an auction house, this cemented her love for classic furniture. Many of her designs today are inspired by the best of Victorian and Edwardian design. But our collections wouldn't be what they are without an injection of today too, from the stunning colourful palettes and prints, to the best of technology.
Katy gathers these sparks of creativity and begins sketching, exploring how heritage craftsmanship can meet modern living. During the planning stage, the team plays with proportion and comfort, balancing elegance with everyday practicality. Every curve, stitch, and seam is intentional. Behind the sketches lies a quiet ambition: to create furniture that feels effortless, elegant and fresh.
2. Sourcing the Perfect Dress Fabric
Fabric is where a sofa finds its personality, the tactile expression of its soul. Sourcing it is both art and obsession. We search for velvets that drape beautifully and are practical for family life. We love natural Harris Tweed with it's warmth and heritage, and the best Italian leathers which are buttery and soft, full aniline for a lifetime of wear.
Each fabric must pass the “Katy test”: would she want it in her own home? Is it made responsibly, built to last, will it age gracefully? Whether from a British mill or an Italian atelier, the guiding principle remains the same quality over compromise. We only choose fabrics we truly love, because we know that love will translate into every home they touch.
3. From Paper to Prototype
Once the materials are chosen, our craftsmen bring the design to life. This is where design meets reality, and the smallest adjustments make the biggest difference. A few millimetres in seat depth, a new angle to the back, a slightly softer arm, a slightly different seat filling. Comfort isn’t accidental; it’s refined over time and guided by experience.
Each prototype is a labour of love, refined by hand and heart. Our team won’t stop until the sofa feels just right, because we don’t simply make products to sell, we make pieces to be loved.
4. Testing and Refinement
A sofa must be beautiful, but it must also endure. Before any design reaches the showroom, it’s tested for strength, balance, and long-term comfort. We spend hours sitting, tweaking, and perfecting. Sofas after often a year plus in the planning, numerous factory visits and plenty of protypes. The result? Furniture that feels as good after ten years as it does on day one.
5. The Showroom Reveal
When a new sofa finally arrives at the showroom, it's a big day for us - like Christmas morning. We won't lie, it's enormously exciting to sit on something that was at one point just an idea. It’s the outcome of months of thought, care, and collaboration. Then the nerves kick in as
we hope that you’ll love it as much as we do. Because at Vintage Sofa Co, we only ever sell what we’d proudly have in our own homes. That passion runs through every fabric choice, every stitch, and every silhouette. It’s not just furniture to us, it’s a piece of our story, crafted to become part of yours.
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