Review of MADE.com's Fifty Shades of Grey Sofa

The latest trend in home decorating and furnishing has a modern twist on a retro theme. The simple lines of furniture from the 50's and 60's are often re-worked to create an up to date version of classical designs. Using new material and colour schemes have been a successful way to update the furniture for  a whole new generation.

MADE.com is one of the leaders in creating quirky pieces of furniture often in a well loved retro style brought up to date with interesting twists, surprising use of non-traditional fabric and the use of exciting on trend colours. MADE.com have been delivering to the market some of the most interesting furniture pieces in their distinct retro slimlined style. MADE.com has become an influencing force to set the fashion in home furnishing. And we are now seeing major UK furniture stores bringing out similar style stock which is a sure sign of the acknowledgement of the merits of the MADE designs.

So when MADE.com put out a great collection of grey sofas, we had no choice but to pay attention and take a closer look. This season, grey is the new black in interior design and home decorating. Grey is neutral enough to easily fit into any decor. Grey is a known calming colour.  In this article, we review the Fifty Shades of Grey Sofa collection currently available at MADE.com.

This great  Grey Sofa collection works because of the genius use of the right shade of grey in the right shape of sofa. They are not kidding when they say there are Fifty Shades of Grey. The subtle shade difference will affect the overall look of the sofa and it takes a good eye and enormous skill to make the right colour choice to create sofas this beautiful.

Below are our selection of the best grey sofa to buy - all in a different fabric or shade of grey:

The Jonah 3 seater sofa in warm grey linen mix fabric will add distinctive style to any look. Price £649

The Jonah sofa collection was created by young British designer James Harrison. In 2007, James was the winner of the Elle Decoration Young Designer of the Year 2007 award. The Jonah sofa is created in a contemporary style with a retro feel. The single seat cushion supported by an integrated back and paired with slim, angled legs results in a fresh, clean look. The Jonah 3 seater sofa above is shown in warm grey in a soft linen mix fabric.

The Ritchie 2 seater Sofa in pearl grey is compact and amazingly comfortable. Price £499

The Ritchie sofa collection brings to live a classic mid-century chair design, in an updated colour and contemporary finish adds understated style to your living room. This sofa is compact in size making it a winner in smaller homes. The generous foam cushioning creates a firm seat that bounces back into shape when you get up. The buttoning on the backrest gives this striking style added texture and interest. A feature of the Ritchie sofa are the black tapered solid wood. The Ritchie 2 seater sofa above is shown in pearl grey.

The Yoko willow grey sofa bed is a beautiful, versatile design. This multifunctional sofa folds out into a comfortable guest bed. Price £249 only 

The Yoko range of Sofabed has been an amazing entry into the Sofabed market. They are stylish, well made, comes in a plethora of attractive colours and they are amazingly cheap and good value. MADE.com says that the Yoko have been a real hit with everyone from students through to families - and it is not difficult to see why that is.  The Yoko sofabed is contemporary and minimalist and ideal for smaller rooms. With a sprung foam seat and back for a comfy medium-firm sit or a relaxing night's sleep. Upholstered in high quality, soft fabric the upholstered front legs are what makes this design stand out in the styles stake. The Yoko Sofabed above is shown in willow grey.

Harris 3 Seater Sofa in harrier grey combines retro style with modern proportions for ease of use. 
Price £599

The Harris collection is great as the classic design means you'll want to keep it for years to come and the durable cotton-jute upholstery means that it will last the distance. Pairing retro-inspired details with modern proportions for a look that captures the best of of both worlds. In timeless harrier grey. Thin profile arms and tapered legs offset the boxy shape of this armchair. With a gently inclined backrest for a softer silhouette. Thick back cushions and a deep seat make for a comfy sit, while naturally detailed cotton-mix fabric provides a sophisticated finish. The Harris 3 seater sofa shown above is in harrier grey.

The Jersey grey 2 seater sofa adds a fun, retro style in a laid-back shade. With compact proportions it is ideal for a smaller living area. Price £299

The Hersey 2 seater sofa takes a pretty 1950s sofa design and updates it with a modern fabric and colour to make it totally fabulous.  This 2 seater sofa has a very neat look and is compact in dimensions making it perfect for smaller living rooms, reception rooms and even the bedroom. With a sturdy frame, built-in cushioning and beautifully stitched back to add texture and shape and finished with solid oak legs. Price at under £399, this sofa is great value for money. Matching armchair and footstools are also available in this range.

The Garston 3 Seater Sofa in hound grey is an updated take on a classic shape. Made in velvet, it offers a luxurious feel.   Price £799

The Garston 3 seater sofa is a piece of furniture that has been built to last. Its high quality frame and luxurious soft, cotton-rich velvet has a glamorous and timeless appeal.  Scrolling at the arms and hand-turned legs add the right amount of opulence. The sofa is finished beautifully at the back too so it can be used freestanding. The sit is medium-firm and comfy. The sofa shown above is shown is a beautiful hound grey.

Branagh 3 Seater Chesterfield Sofa in pearl grey is an updated take on traditional Chesterfield design.  £999

This is by far our favourite MADE.com 3 seater sofa at the moment. The statement Chesterfield design, has been upholstered in fabric for a more contemporary feel. This  pearl grey sofa is a striking and elegant piece of furniture. Buttoning adds texture and shape, while scrolled arms bring the look of indulgence and opulence. Large and deep seated with foam cushioning giving it a medium-soft sit. In soft fabric with dark stain legs, scatter cushions are included with the sofa. This Chesterfield sofa is large, comfy and finished with beautiful detailing. The Branagh 3 seater chesterfield sofa is the best of British style made better for modern living.

The Flynn 3 Seater Persian Grey Sofa is a contemporary take on the classic Chesterfield design. Price £699

The Flynn Collection has taken a classic sofa design and updated it to suit the needs of a modern home. Their neat and boxy silhouette gives them an enviable contemporary look. A relation of the classic Chesterfield design, its simple lines and sophisticated shade of grey makes it a stunning addition to the living room. Turned front legs bring a smart drawing room vibe, while buttoning and stud detailing add just the right amount of opulence. Deep and inviting it has a medium-soft seat and high back. This sofa will fit nicely in any living room. The Flynn 3 seater sofa is shown in Persian grey.

With an interchanging chaise, the Newark corner sofa in charcoal grey makes an ideal choice for a modern living room. An excellent value at £599 only

You get a whole lot of sofa for not a lot of cost with the Newark range of corner sofas. They are built for comfort with sprung, foam-filled seat makes for a medium-firm, well-supported sit. With an interchanging chaise for you to choose whether it faces right or left.  It comes with an entirely removable cover for easy maintenance and cleaning - a great choice for the whole family.

Why we like the MADE.com three seater sofa

2013 sees the continuation of a trend for simple yet elegant furniture. Many classical design and pieces have been cleverly updated with interesting fabrics and fashionable colour choices. We love this trend as it means furniture designs are embracing a timeless quality. And great value for money is to be had when interior design and decorating will last the distance.

We have been very excited to see the new furniture stock arrive for 2013. The MADE.com furniture, in particular, has continued to impress us. The design of the sofas are totally in tune with the current trend. And you will be spoilt for choice as so many of the sofas are divinely beautiful.

The three seater sofa is by far the most sought after and practical furniture piece in the home. There is a massive choice of these sofas at different price ranges in the marketplace. You can pick up a reasonable standard three seater sofa from under £300. The designer ranges price in excess of £2000 a piece.

We would like to show you our favourite MADE.com three seater sofa selection below. These lovely sofas are comfortable, good quality and extremely good value for money. MADE.com literally will have the furniture made when you order the item making this addition to your home extra special.

For the month of February, Furnitureflair is running an exclusive promotion with MADE.com which will see you save £20 when you spend £200. Click on the MADE.com special offer section on our homepage and get the detail of the furniture voucher code to get the discount. Now lets take a look at the best of the crop:

Raspberry three seater fabric sofa with pipe back detail 

Beautiful three seater Leather Sofa

Retro style three seater sofa in a modern grey 

Add Classical and elegant buttoned back design three seater sofa

Velvet three seater Chesterfield Sofa

Elegant white three seater fabric sofa with extra plumb back

Talking Modern Chesterfield Sofa

Chesterfield Sofas have had a revival in recent years. Whether we can attribute this to the global popularity of television shows such as Downton Abbey where all things British and traditional are celebrated. Or the fact that the Chesterfield Sofa is simply stylish and ageless, comfortable and durable. A Chesterfield Sofa is a significant style declaration in anyone's Living Room.

A Chesterfield Sofa tend to be a more expensive furniture piece because of the material and the work and craftsmanship involved in its production. Typically, a Chesterfield Sofa is built on a wooden frame made of hardwood for strength and longevity. Individual coil springs are fitted to the frame before the padding is added to ensure the sofa's lasting shape is achieved. Once the frame foundation is built, the sofa is covered in leather or other luxury fabric and finished with the application of buttons and studding which gives the Chesterfield its definitive look.

We have probably all seen a traditional Chesterfield Sofa in dark red sturdy leather with matching leather buttons and detail metal studs. The modern take of the Chesterfield Sofa is much more varied  in colour and material used while still vehemently sticking to the backbone of the design. While leather is still the most popular material of choice, the consumer is spoilt for choice when it comes to colour with black, white, and cream Leather Chesterfield Sofa best in achieving a more modern designer look.

Velvet Chesterfield Sofa adds a new dimension of luxury to this great chair design. Velvet naturally reflects light which instantly adds glamour to furniture. Velvet is a superb match for the Chesterfield sofa design with each showing off each other's best attributes. These chairs are extremely comfortable, they are softer than their leather versions and they look knowingly expensive.

Mixing different fabrics or shades is a new trend for the Chesterfield Sofa. An example of this is to use both smooth and crushed velvet on different parts of the chair to create interest. Using different colours and contrasting colour fabric is also right on trend at the moment. A shabby chic Chesterfield Sofa in patchwork fabric is indeed a revelation. So who says Chesterfield has to be boring, as far as we are concerned they can be as exciting as you dare.

Below are examples of the different types of Modern Chesterfield Sofa that we recommend for your review.

Black Leather Chesterfield 4 Seater Sofa with glamorous dark wood and metal feet

Golden Velvet Chesterfield Sofa featuring extra deep seat and roller feet

Purple Velvet Chesterfield 3 Seater Sofa and Armchair

Ultra luxurious Silver Grey 2 Seater Velvet Chesterfield Sofa, great for the Living Room and Bedroom alike

Traditional Chocolate Brown Leather Chesterfield 2-seater Sofa

Modern Chesterfield Armchair in Smart White Leather

Wingback Chesterfield Love Seat 

Two Toned Velvet Chesterfield Sofa  made in different crushed velvet fabric

5 Amazing Chairs for the Living Room

While a Sofa is always a quintessential furniture piece adorning every Living Room. The addition of a special 'chair' is an effective way to add interest to the room.  Here are 5 Amazing Chairs that will create the ‘wow’ factor for your Living Room.

1. Wingback Armchair

A retro-inspired wingback style armchair is easily a statement furniture piece in any home. The wing back chair has a dramatic high back often wrapped around in elegant curved wing. This chair with soft inviting seats and back cushions has been designed for hours of comfortable sitting as they offer excellent head, neck and lumber support. The modern take on the wing back chair is with the use of unusual and innovative colours and fabric design. This summer, we have seen wing back chairs in bright blocked colours take centre stage in the living room fashion stakes.

2. Vintage Leather Armchair 

The classic Vintage Leather Armchair sitting in the corner of a living room by the side of an open fire is a most inviting image we possibly all share. Adorned with fluffy cushions and warm traditional weave throws and blankets, this is undoubtedly the best seat in the house. A good quality vintage leather armchair is a worthwhile investment as it will never go out of vogue and it is versatile and solid to survive a number of decor changes. It is possible to use this investment piece to bring up the tone of a cheaper, plainer sofa. If budget is tight, you will still be able to get a great look if you splurge on the leather armchair and keep the other sofa and seats to basic items.

3. Chesterfield Armchair 

The Chesterfield Armchair has had a revival in recent times where contemporary minimalist models have been vastly popular. The Chesterfield with its full plume seats and button detail is a classic and quality piece of furniture with proven longevity in the style stakes. The trick of bringing such a traditional armchair design up to date is by pairing it with an eye catching fabric in an unusual design. An upholstered chesterfield armchair in the iconic Union Jack cover will sit proudly as the jewel center piece of your living room. Paired with retro palatial wall paper and a pretty chandelier, it seamlessly creates a chic glamourous living room with ease.

4. Tub Chair 

Tub chairs are stylish, contemporary and very comfortable chairs. It is most inviting to sit back and relax into the circular shape of the chair and let the foam filled cushions hug your body providing comfort and support. Tub chairs are suitable in smaller living rooms as they are compact and do not take up the floor space like an armchair and do not require height room per the wing back chair. Tub chairs work well in blocked colours such as bright red, deep blue and mustard yellow. They also do not over shadow the other other furniture in the living room even when made in a loud design such as zebra print due to their compact stature. 

5. Moon Chair 

A moon chair has caused a stir in the furniture marketplace due to its ultra modern retro-futuristic style. They have distinctive fluid, curved lines giving the appearance that they have been carved from a single block. Low and compact, they are ergonomically shaped to provide maximum seating comfort. Moon chairs are fantastic in mono blocked colours such as black and white which are star players in the world of the minimalist living room. However, as the chairs are weatherproof and scratch proof, they are also a great alternative all weather outdoor furniture choice.