Custom Curved Sofa

We just finished this curved sofa for a longtime client - it's similar in shape to the curved bench we just finished for another client. It's a substantial piece with a solid hardwood frame and down filled cushions. As with all our pieces, the work is done on site here at our Torrance workshop.

Before & After: Saarinen Womb Chair & Ottoman

Designed in 1948, Eero Saarinen's womb chair is constructed of foam over a molded fiberglass shell. It is still available through Knoll and is one of the most comfortable chairs in the marketplace. This well-used and loved chair came into our workshop recently for a total restoration.

The fabric was badly frayed, worn and faded, and the foam had started disintegrating underneath. The chrome based was rusted and pitted with a dull finish.

After a complete overhaul, including all new foam (a necessity in all womb chair restorations), fabric and the restoration of the base, it's as good as new. Even better actually, because it is a vintage piece brought back to its' original state.

The fabric used in this restoration was Field Day in Cobalt by Knoll. If you would like to see another Womb Chair restoration we did recently, take a look here.

Custom Curved Window Seat Bench

This custom curved bench was made to fit in a rounded window alcove. The lines are clean, simple and elegant.

The base of the bench was made in 3 separate sections in solid mahogany and the cushions were upholstered in Rogers & Goffigon, Lambert/Lazurite, with Rogers & Goffigon trim.

Custom Suede Bed

We just finished this custom suede bed for a client. The leather covers a heavy padded wood frame with double top-stitched panels and a polished stainless steel recessed base. The bed was designed as the rooms' focal point and sits in the middle facing a large window overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Not a bad view to wake up to!

Before & after: French Iron Outdoor sofa

One of our clients purchased this beautiful iron sofa at auction in France and had it shipped to us. As you can see, it was in need of some TLC - there was heavy rust throughout the piece and some parts of the frame were slightly bent and damaged.

We cleaned it up and powder-coated the frame a creamy ivory to bring it back to life, and then we fabricated cushions in a cheery yellow with off-white piping and buttons.

Even as the weather turns chilly, cushions like these are sure to brighten any patio or porch!

Classic Design for Thinkpure Good Shepherd project

Back in July, one of our clients, Thinkpure, asked us to make a platform bed to contribute to their Good Shepherd charity project. The Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women & Children opened in Los Angeles last summer. 30 rooms were decorated by some of the top designers in Los Angeles, all pro bono, to create beautiful environments for its' residents. This is the bed we contributed to the project:

And this is the room after Kelly Schandel of Thinkpure was finished:

photo: Erika Bierman via Houzz

The room looks fabulous - what a gorgeous, restful retreat. There is a wonderful post on Houzz which features several of the other rooms, including the materials and resources used to create each room. They are all different, but equally beautiful, calming and clean. We hope the residents enjoy their stay in these rooms, and Classic Design was so thrilled to be included in this great project.  For more information on the Good Shepherd Center, please visit their website.

Custom Silk Velvet Sofa

We just finished this custom sofa that will be placed in a study. This was one of our most labor-intensive pieces; we spent at least 200 hours producing this sofa. There is gentle tufting on all sides and it features a single seat and double back cushions. The fabric is a beautiful imported French silk velvet by Prelle, in Vert de Mer.

Inspired by Paul Dupre-Lafon: Sofa & ottoman

We just finished two sofas inspired by the beautiful design of Paul Dupre-Lafon. Monsieur Dupre-Lafon was born in 1900 in France, and after studying in Marseille, went to Paris where he worked as an architect and decorator.

The lines are classic, with a larger, rounded arm that is set back slightly from the seat.

The feet follow the same footprint.

We made a matching ottoman. All the pieces are upholstered in a gorgeous pearl silk velvet from Holly Hunt.

Eames: The Architect and the Painter

(photo: First Run Features)

For the design addict, First Run Features is releasing a documentary on Charles & Ray Eames, called Eames: The Architect and the Painter. It is narrated by James Franco, and appears to be a spectacular look at the couple who are largely regarded as pioneers and two of the most influential designers of mid-century America.  

The feature opens November 18, 2011 in Los Angeles. For your own local dates, check the playdates, and you can check out the trailer here. 

Vintage Saarinen Womb Chair & Ottoman ~for sale~

This is just one of the pieces we recently listed for sale on eBay. If you would like to see this, and more mid century pieces, take a look at our eBay listings. The pieces are all beautiful, and they are priced to sell!

Saarinen Executive Armchairs

I didn't have a chance to snap a 'before' picture, but we reupholstered 4 Saarinen Executive armchairs recently and they are as good as new.

Eero Saarinen designed these chairs in 1957 - the upholstered back shell is a reinforced molded shell with a contoured plywood seat. The metal legs are seamless tubular steel with a polished chrome finish.

Staying true to the original upholstery, we recovered all 4 chairs in Knoll fabric - Stacks, in a slate color.

Custom Leather Ottoman

This is a large, square leather covered ottoman we recently finished for a client in San Francisco. The design is contemporary, with an interesting detail along the bottom. The leather is double top stitched, and from Spinneybeck.

Custom Silk Love seat Sofa

We just finished this love seat sofa for a longtime client. You can see it has an usual shape - the front is dipped, and the arms curve outward.

It was covered in a lovely platinum embroidered silk by Romo Fabrics.

Every detail is hand worked, from the pleated curve of the arm to the curved wood feet that follow the shape of the corners. It's a very feminine piece, perfect for the corner of a bedroom, or boudoir.

What's for sale? New on the blog!

Gehry Cross Check Chair

We've added a new page to the navigation at the top of the blog - For Sale! Every once in a while, we purchase a piece and restore it. Often, our longtime customers will check with us to see if we have a certain piece they are looking for. Right now, we have a few pieces that we've added to the For Sale page, and will continue to add more pieces as time permits.

Velvet Prototype Sample Sofa

All the pieces listed are available for local pick up at our workshop in Torrance, California. We do not offer packing and/or shipping services, so if you are out of the area, you will need to arrange for your own transportation. We work with several moving and transportation companies, and can provide their contact information. If you are interested in any of the pieces listed, feel free to contact us at info@classicdesignla.com . Payment can be made with Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and of course, cash!

Custom Armless Sectional Sofa

We recently finished a custom sectional sofa for a corporate office in Century City. We designed the piece in house, featuring an exposed wood frame, and leather seat and back cushions that were lightly tufted.

The attached corner side table featured a stone top, and the legs had a dark bronze patina finish (the plastic feet were just for protection and removed during installation).

This is a wonderful example of our custom work, from inception to completion - in this case, the client had an idea that we brought to reality. As always, if you have an idea for a custom piece, feel free to call us at 310.324.1600, or send an email to info@classicdesignla.com .