Top 3 “It” Couches Of 2022 & Their Origin Stories
By: Grecia Espinoza
Is it me, or did the aesthetic queens and kings of social media swap out their Ikea couches for fancy sofas while most of us had our heads in the oven checking on the banana bread?
Image: @allegrashaw
The pandemic changed a lot of things about daily life, and we all coped with our boredom differently. Some of us found therapists, others baked banana bread, and all the hot Instagram influencers invested in sexy sofas.
Believe me when I say this: we are living in a sofa renaissance. When shopping for couches, people are no longer simply looking for comfort and functionality, they’re looking for statement pieces that look good while simultaneously serving as comfortable sitting spaces.
In the past year I’ve watched my instagram feed slowly fill with increasingly unique couches. But, what exactly are these sofas called? Who makes them? Which are worth your entire credit limit and a year of overtime?
The Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini:
I’m starting with The Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini because it’s the “It” girl—the Bella Hadid (after the Coperni fashion show) of all couches. Fittingly, Bella Hadid herself happens to have a Camaleonda couch inside her home.
Bellini designed this iconic modular couch in 1970. In 1972, the couch grew in popularity after being featured in an exhibition at the MOMA. However, the Camaleonda didn’t have a very long career. In 1978, it was discontinued by B&B Italia. Shortly after its discontinuation, the couch became a collectors’ item.
When Bellini originally designed the couch in the 1970s, he had functionality in mind. The modular element of the couch makes its composition versatile; the idea is that the couch has the flexibility to accommodate the architecture of anyone’s home. When talking to Architectural Digest, Bellini said the following about his process in naming the sofa: “I crossed two words: camaleonte, or chameleon, an extraordinary animal capable of adapting to its environment, and onda, or wave.”
Image: Castorina & Co.
As the sofa’s name suggests, the Camaleonda is an adaptable chameleon that rides waves, or in this case, trends. In recent years, we’ve seen a resurgence of the maximalist aesthetic of the 70s, and the Camaleonda is only one of the many midcentury pieces that are returning to style-maker’s homes.
The Camaleonda couch is structurally and stylistically versatile. B&B Italia offers the couches in various colors, fabrics, and finishes to suit any design needs. Simply put, Bellini designed this couch to work for you, regardless of your style, or the size of your home. After having withstood the test of time, you can rest assured you’ll be getting your money’s worth when investing in this timeless, functional, and fashionable couch.
Michel Ducaroy’s Togo Sofa
Michel Ducaroy’s Togo Sofa, like the Camaleonda, is everywhere. If you hadn’t noticed it on your instagram feed before, you certainly will now that I’ve brought it to your attention.
The Togo Sofa can be thought of as the minimalist alternative to the maximalist Camaleonda. While the Togo Sofa has a simplicity that the voluptuous Camaleonda doesn’t, they function quite similarly. In 1973, Ducaroy created this sofa for Ligne Roset, a luxury furniture brand. The sofa can be purchased as a single chair or a loveseat. Recently, Ligne Roset introduced a new variation of the Togo Sofa which includes arms for an even cozier alternative! Not only is the Togo incredibly comfortable (trust me—I own one), but it can be purchased in either leather and in an array of fabrics.
Image: FUDO Hub
I’ll be honest, when I originally purchased the Togo what I really wanted was the Camaleonda. However, the estimated shipping time for the Togo was significantly shorter. At the time, I’d just moved into a new apartment and had absolutely no furniture; So, I settled on the Togo, but now that I have it, I’m extremely happy with my decision. The simplicity and moveability of the Togo makes it a brilliant addition to a small space. The couch is light enough to be easily moved, and its sleekness really suits a small space much better than the elaborate Camaleonda.
For a couch that was inspired by Ducaroy’s rolled up toothpaste tube, it sure makes being a couch potato feel super glamorous.
Vladimir Keagan’s Serpentine Sofa
Lastly, but certainly not least, is Vladimir Keagan’s Serpentine Sofa. This sofa isn’t just sexy—it’s seductive.
I’m only joking. In fact, seduction wasn’t on Keagan’s mind at all when he designed the sofa in 1950. He designed this sofa with the hope of bringing people together. As noted by 1stDibs this armless but shapely sofa was created to entertain. Its curved shape is not only inviting, but spacious in providing seating for guests. Keagan designed it in this shape because it’s intended to float in the center of the room without looking obstructive. Galerie explains that the serpentine sofa was designed to be kept off the wall so that entertainers can use that space to showcase their art collection. In the original design, the sofa was mounted on casters to facilitate moving.
Image: Designs by Katrina
It’s not wrong to consider this the sexiest couch ever made. This couch was designed for the elite, for people with large homes, who own art collections and have fancy dinner parties. While you and I might not be the original target audience for this sofa, times have changed! And, anyway, who said you need a massive home and an art gallery to entertain your loved ones? □
About the Writer
Grecia Espinoza is a graduate student at New York University where she is working towards a master’s in Comparative Literature. Besides writing for H3R, she teaches 9th grade Language Arts and writes for an immigration law firm in Orlando Florida. She is currently working on a collection of poems on the subject of grief and loss that will be completed at the end of this year. Her writing typically mediates on subjects related to art and self-recognition as modes through which one can find purpose and enjoyment in our life. She is particularly interested in subjects like contemporary literature, interior design/architecture, fashion, and wellness.
Article Credits
Grecia’s Email: grecia.espinoza@outlook.com
Grecia’s Instagram: @6rrace
Image Credits
Camaleonda Couch
The Togo Sofa
Serpentine Sofa
Designer @batorrey
