I need feedback on this - General Tiki

M Martiki-bird Tiki Socialite Kurume, Japan Joined: Mar 23, 2007 Posts: 140	M Martiki-bird Posted posted on Wed, Jan 30, 2008 7:06 AM Hmmmm, yes, it’s not tiki, but is does have interesting lines and I like the low back. Without seeing your space, I really couldn't say if it will ruin your tiki look. It wouldn't work in my space at all, but you don't live here so that point is moot. :) Whether or not it works for you depends on what your design approach has been. If you're decorating to recreate a typical MCM home of that time period, then this piece has no place in your home. If you’re going for a tiki aesthetic without adhering to certain specific poly-pop rules, this could work (ouch, was that a poison dart?) Although it would be nice to have both tiki and comfy, I suspect from your posting that that you need something very functional for everyday use and having it be MCM is aplus, not a need. So on that premise, the contemporary unit would work with a few changes: 1.Pillow-backs are dated and tend to make a room look messy (unless it’s a casual family room). I’d see about possibly replacing the pillow-back with wedge-shaped, non-tufted cushions for a clean MCM line (provided the unit design allows this.) If it has bun feet, I'd change them for something tapered or blocky if at all possible. A good upholsterer can steer you in the right direction. To help the unit blend with your tiki space and not be the focal point, select an upholstery that blends with the predominant color - i.e. if the walls are dark brown and the couch will be against it, select a dark brown fabric. If the ceilings are high or the unit will be centered, select upholstery in the same color range as the floor. Never match the color exactly, just go a few shades darker or lighter (depending on your style.) Upholster the whole unit in a uniform color, or if the overall space needs more texture, select a solid for the base and a pattern with the same ground (i.e. the solid black base would work with a foliage-patterned, black-background barkcloth.) Get a price estimate from your upholsterer before buying ANYTHING. Find out as much as you can about it (overall dimensions, leg style, construction, mechanics, age, manufacturer, where purchased) because these things will help you price out the overall cost of upholstering. A note on fabric yardage: the size of the sofa, cushions, details and the fabric pattern will determine how much yardage you need. Non-patterned solid upholstery is much less costly than patterned since there’s a lot of waste associated with pattern repeats. Hope you don’t mind a designer’s advice. Although it would be fabulous to find the perfect MCM seating with form and function, sometimes the only thing to do is improvise. Good luck, and keep us posted. Gina H. PS, I gotta disagree with folks who are identifying this as an 80s style: this design is more contemporary (probably 90s). Are the sections with headrests recliners?

Hmmmm, yes, it’s not tiki, but is does have interesting lines and I like the low back. Without seeing your space, I really couldn't say if it will ruin your tiki look. It wouldn't work in my space at all, but you don't live here so that point is moot. :)

Whether or not it works for you depends on what your design approach has been. If you're decorating to recreate a typical MCM home of that time period, then this piece has no place in your home.

If you’re going for a tiki aesthetic without adhering to certain specific poly-pop rules, this could work (ouch, was that a poison dart?) Although it would be nice to have both tiki and comfy, I suspect from your posting that that you need something very functional for everyday use and having it be MCM is aplus, not a need. So on that premise, the contemporary unit would work with a few changes:

1.Pillow-backs are dated and tend to make a room look messy (unless it’s a casual family room). I’d see about possibly replacing the pillow-back with wedge-shaped, non-tufted cushions for a clean MCM line (provided the unit design allows this.) If it has bun feet, I'd change them for something tapered or blocky if at all possible. A good upholsterer can steer you in the right direction.

To help the unit blend with your tiki space and not be the focal point, select an upholstery that blends with the predominant color - i.e. if the walls are dark brown and the couch will be against it, select a dark brown fabric. If the ceilings are high or the unit will be centered, select upholstery in the same color range as the floor. Never match the color exactly, just go a few shades darker or lighter (depending on your style.)
Upholster the whole unit in a uniform color, or if the overall space needs more texture, select a solid for the base and a pattern with the same ground (i.e. the solid black base would work with a foliage-patterned, black-background barkcloth.)
Get a price estimate from your upholsterer before buying ANYTHING. Find out as much as you can about it (overall dimensions, leg style, construction, mechanics, age, manufacturer, where purchased) because these things will help you price out the overall cost of upholstering.

A note on fabric yardage: the size of the sofa, cushions, details and the fabric pattern will determine how much yardage you need. Non-patterned solid upholstery is much less costly than patterned since there’s a lot of waste associated with pattern repeats.

Hope you don’t mind a designer’s advice. Although it would be fabulous to find the perfect MCM seating with form and function, sometimes the only thing to do is improvise. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Gina H.

PS, I gotta disagree with folks who are identifying this as an 80s style: this design is more contemporary (probably 90s). Are the sections with headrests recliners?

Post #358078 by Martiki-bird on Wed, Jan 30, 2008 7:06 AM