A Comparison of a Sofa to the Petrie Sofa

Back

• The Petrie and other midcentury modern sofas with similar clean lines have box-shaped back pillows. Two seams along the edges of the pillows give the sofas their shape. Welts (similar to piping) are often sewn into the upholstery for a tailored look and to help the pillows retain their shape. The back may consist of a single, solid pillow or may have two or three pillows, with or without buttons. The back pillows are usually attached, which does not allow flipping or fluffing as is possible with many other styles of sofa backs. Some consumers also prefer the more relaxed look and feel found in today's contemporary sofas.

Seat

• The seat height of a Petrie-style sofa tends to be lower than today's standard sofa seat height of 20 to 22 inches. Although a low seat is a common and desirable feature of the midcentury modern style, it may make rising from the sofa difficult for some individuals. The heights, ages and physical capabilities of users should be considered when deciding on an appropriate sofa seat height. The box-shaped seat cushions may be loose or attached. Welting can help the fabric cover stay in place and the seat cushions to retain their shape.

Arms

• Track arms are the only style of arms on a Petrie-style sofa or sectional. The track arm has a flat top with seams along the edges. Although comfortable, the track arm has much less padding than a roll arm or other traditional or contemporary stuffed arm. If the sofa is actually composed of two sectional pieces, these pieces can be used separately, with each piece armless on one end. This arrangement achieves the midcentury style seen in the Petrie living room on the Dick Van Dyke show. The arms typically are not as high as those of other sofas.

Base and Legs

• Any sofa style in which the base is close to the floor will not achieve the midcentury modern look required for a Petrie-style sofa. The base of the sofa should be several inches from the floor. This feature calls attention to the legs, which must be simple and tapered. Legs should be set in a few inches from the corners of the sofa, unlike most of today's styles. The floor or rug beneath the sofa will be completely visible. This is not the case with most of today's sofas, whether they have exposed legs or skirts.