ISABELLA CORNER SECTIONAL SOFA

Isabella is built low and deep, with curves instead of corners. It is the sectional for lying on rather than sitting up in — and that is a decision to make deliberately, not discover after delivery.

Low and deep: what that actually means

A low seat with a deep cushion is the most comfortable thing in the house to lie on and the least comfortable to sit upright on. You sink, your knees come up, and conversation across the room becomes slightly harder work. That is the right choice for a television room, a den or a place to read; it is the wrong choice if the sofa has to double as formal seating, or if anyone in the household finds standing up from a low seat difficult. For that, Melanie has a raised seat. We would rather say this before the order than after.

Curves all the way round

There is no straight edge or square corner anywhere on the outline, which is harder to upholster than it looks: a continuous curve has no reference line to work to, the cover has to be eased round every turn with no gather and no flat spot, and because a low sofa is seen from above, the top line of the back is on show the whole time. A pattern or a textured weave also behaves differently on a curve than on a flat panel, which is why we talk through the fabric choice on this one specifically.

Left-hand or right-hand — settle this first

The sofa is handed and cannot be swapped once made. Stand where you enter the room, face it, and tell us whether the long side runs to your left or your right; send a plan with the door, the window and the television marked.

Materials and sizes

Made to order; overall dimensions depend on the configuration and are confirmed with your quotation. Fabric or leather — any of seventy-six leather shades across twelve families — and your own fabric (COM) is accepted. Leather is always genuine. Handcrafted in our Istanbul factory.

Where it belongs

A television room, a den, a large living room with a second more formal seating group, a suite. It is a sofa to be in rather than to be seen on.