Eye on Design
The icon and its acolytes. What to buy when you can't afford the Camaleonda sofa and the Ultrafragola mirror.
This month I thought we’d look at three “icon” styles that are currently very fashionable and find alternatives for each, at different price points. So while it’s a truism that you can’t please all of the people all of the time, this should at least please all of you who might be looking for the things in question!
MODULAR SOFAS
The Icon: CAMALEONDA by B&B Italia
Camaleonda is a true icon among sofas – and I don’t tend use that word often. Designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, it was one of the first truly modular sofa designs. In a “straight” formation of three pieces, it’s around £15,000. If that’s not expensive enough for you, look out for the Stella McCartney version. There are A LOT of fakes around and thanks to the vagaries of Google they tend to come up first on a search.
I might write about this in more detail another time, but in short I’m not a fan of the fakes. They are rarely well-made, the fabric is of lesser quality and also you’re participating in a system that is stealing someone’s design.
But what (I hear you cry) am I supposed to do if I can’t afford the real thing? Well I’d love a Prada handbag, but the budget isn’t there so I have found a couple of vintage/fourth-hand versions. Generally speaking I look for another brand that has created its own design that might be similar in spirit or approach, rather than just a straightforward, ripped-off copy; that’s a whole other piece. But for a great modular sofa that doesn’t cost 15K, read on…
High End: HAMISH MODULAR SOFA by Soho Home
Now Soho Home is not the cheapest, but it is one of the most lusted-after brands in the UK – at least at the moment. Even my art student son keeps talking longingly of things he has seen on their website. I might have to ask them to block him from browsing. Or hope that it inspires him to create (and sell) some incredible work that will allow the entire family to cease window shopping and start actually, well, shopping.
Using the same principle as above, three modules in a straight line will set you back just under £5,600. I haven’t sat on it, but I love the styling with the fluted velvet upholstery and the built-in table at the back. Plus, it’s a third of the price of the Camaleonda and I’m sure it won’t be two-thirds less comfortable.
Affordable Quality: 1977 by King Living
Designed by the Australian founder of the brand in (you guessed it) 1977, this brand, which is well loved and familiar to Australians, is now in the UK. Full disclosure: I was asked to style their showroom for an event, in exchange for a sofa. Mine is in my house in Italy and if you have known me for a while you will also know that I don’t work with anyone I don’t believe in wholeheartedly (to my social media and licensing agents’ despair).
It’s always hard to compare prices on modular items but Package 9 is the closest I can get to, so you can see it in relation to the Camaleonda. It’s £3,280 full price but currently on sale for less than £2k. And I can personally vouch for the quality. It’s supremely comfortable – modelled on car seats, apparently. The covers are washable and the pieces are light enough to move around should you wish to reconfigure them for a party, or a room full of guests.
Also worth noting: it’s low profile, but you can add legs that are a little taller, to make it easier to stand up from. We have a set but haven’t used them.
One thing I will add, as a few people have asked me: what about lying down on it? Well no – it’s not for that. The curved seating modules make it uncomfortable for lying flat. But, as someone who tends to end up horizontal when watching television, I will say that the seats are so comfy (especially in the corners) that you can happily snuggle in without needing to fully recline.
High Street: FLOW GRAND THREE-SEATER SOFA by John Lewis
And this is the high street version. The pictures are terrible but you get the idea. It’s £1,999 for this three-seat size, and you can choose from several different colours and fabrics. You can also create your own configuration using the complete Flow range – although rather than selling individual modules, they seem to offer lots of different combinations, so you should be able to find one that works in the way you need. It’s made from foam with pocket springs, so it will be comfortable and it’s manufactured in Poland which, I understand, excels especially at furniture-making and upholstery.
WAVY MIRRORS
The Icon: Ultrafragola
Billed as the ultimate selfie mirror by New York magazine, this pink wavy mirror has sparked hundreds of copycats and dupes across the internet. Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1970, the 6ft tall pink neon-lit mirror is still made in Florence in the original mould and you can buy one for £7,450. Anemone Interiors has a proper vintage one she is selling for £9,250 (pick-up only from her Sussex showroom).
Well before its current Instagram fame, the mirror had become synonymous with the Memphis movement of the 1980s. Its name translates to “ultimate strawberry” and it’s said that Sottsass designed it in homage to women and femininity because, apparently, if you refer to a woman’s strawberry in Italy everyone knows what you mean (citation needed!).
On a practical note side light is flattering, as is a soft pink light so you begin to see the appeal for the social media generation. That said, they can’t afford it hence the number of dupes on the market. If you want flattering light and you can’t afford this either then try painting the whole room pale pink instead. It’ll do the same job for a fraction of the price.
To discover where you can find more affordable mirrors in this style, other icons and what they have inspired, you can upgrade to paid. Posts like this take a lot of time and research which is why they are reserved for members.