Sarah Ellison’s debut collection for Design Within Reach achieved that often elusive mix of high design and livability, with sculptural shapes and bold proportions that balance the comfort of coastal living with the sophistication of a city apartment. The Australian talent’s follow-up, a sleek ‘70s-inspired sofa designed in collaboration with the Pantone Color Institute, hits those same notes. An enveloping statement piece with slanted armrests and upholstered in a luxe velvet, the Float sofa’s low-slung shape is a modern take on the conversation pit, complete with squishy memory foam stuffed into bulbous, raft-like forms that inspired its name.
Ellison teamed with Pantone to develop a signature color—a luscious deep brown called Piccolo—to complement the sofa’s sheltering angled arms and sophisticated deep-channel quilting. It’s a smart choice: not only is brown undergoing somewhat of a resurgence in interiors thanks to ‘70s nostalgia, but color theory suggests the shade imparts feelings of security because we associate it with the earth. Though it looks like a quintessential piece from the era, Float will be available at Design Within Reach starting in February.
