We have a new addition to our house – yes, the adorable dachshund puppy – but a gorgeous new grey corner sofa too! It’s the Vento three seater sofa in Manhattan Grey from Made.com. And it’s just what we needed to create a cosy corner for the two of us (actually make that three now!) in our open-plan living space, where we can can curl up in front of the telly or spread out while watching a film.
You can see what our old sofa looked like in our living room here. Looking back to when we first did a makeover, it’s interesting to see how the space has evolved and grown with us and our lifestyle. I initially wanted to create a calm, relaxing space, with a light, cool grey colour forming the backdrop. It still is a restful place to spend time in, but after living with it for almost a year, and learning what we like and need, I’ve started to take into account functionality more and more.
We now have a TV, which I didn’t think we’d have until I found the beautifully designed Samsung Serif by the Bouroullec brothers. We have window shutters to aid privacy and help create a warm, homely feel at night. And our old sofa just didn’t work if the two of us both wanted to chill out in the evenings. There wasn’t enough space to really spread out, especially if we had friends over and we’d all have to squeeze on!
So in came the Vento. The nice thing about a corner sofa in this space, with the chaise positioned on the left hand side, is not only does it sit directly across from the telly, but it directs itself towards the kitchen and dining space opposite. I was initially worried that it would block off the bay window, but we don’t use that little space anyway. The two rooms are now in a better dialogue with one another – you can be preparing dinner in the kitchen next door and see people facing you on the sofa. Made.com also do the sofa with a right-hand chaise, but in this case, I think it would have blocked the opening and made the space feel smaller.
The reason I liked the Vento in particular was for it’s minimal profile and slim shape. It’s quite a low sofa, with deep base cushions and a short back. The armrests are slender, maximising seat space, while simple, chrome legs give it a contemporary feel. It looks like a designer sofa but for a fraction of the price – £999.
The Vento sofa has comfy back cushions and side bolsters. The fabric is slightly more beige than grey – it’s polyester but has the appearance of a more expensive wool. I love the seam detail on the armrests.
I’ve styled the sofa with neutral colours and natural textures, like the linen and unglazed stoneware, to give a soft, calming atmosphere. It’s my take on autumnal styling, with grey throws and and wool blankets. Maybe I’ll add some rusty colours and burnt orange when the weather starts to get really cold.
The Vento comes in two pieces – you simply screw the legs on and slot them together, it couldn’t have been easier to assemble.
Now we have a wonderfully, warm, inviting corner to relax in that’s transformed the way we use our living space. As I sit typing this at my laptop on the dining table opposite, I can hear that corner calling my name…
All images: Cate St Hill. Thank you to Made.com for gifting me the sofa, they’ll be featuring a home tour of my house soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that!
