Alexandra Hayden

From the second my eyes first locked onto this photo on the Elle Décor website, I became its boho prisoner. So imagine my joy at seeing it on the cover of the magazine’s March issue a few days later. The only thing that could make me happier would be for its owner, actress Marisa Tomei, to invite me for a stay in her oh-so-chic home next time I’m in New York.

Follow the link to take the full tour of Tomei’s Greenwich Village apartment, which she recently enlarged and then renovated with help from Alexandra Hayden of Octave Studio, while I analyze my obsession.

Douglas Friedman

I love the overall midcentury modern vibe (sofa and chair style, painting, floor lamp), with just a splash of glam (custom coffee table, marble fireplace, brass sconces) and a bit boho (kuba prints, Moroccan rug, floor cushions). And how about that lavender chair? It seems to draw its color out of the painting over the fireplace and makes the Farrow & Ball Dove Tale walls blush.

But I think it’s the curves that really captivate me. I tend to think of curved sofas in decorating when a rounded wall demands one. But here the room is a typical rectangle accentuated with a rectangular area rug. The curved sofa, set on a diagonal, breaks out of that box, adds to the dynamic energy of the room, and acts as a counterpoint to the room’s opposing end:

Douglas Friedman

Don’t you agree? This end of the same room uses another rug in an identical pattern to tie separate conversation areas together, a balanced mix of shapes, and lots of texture in place of pattern. Stunning! I’d love to see the entire room in one line of sight. Maybe when I visit, huh Marisa?

While waiting on her people to contact my people, I dug up more ‘run-of-the-mill’ rectangular rooms given energy boosts with curvaceous sofas. They’re all over the board style-wise, which tells me a curved sofa know no boundaries.

Mucho mid-mod masters

Katie Martinez via Desire to Inspire

Like in Tomei’s apartment, the geometric pattern in the rug acts as a counterpoint to the curves in the furniture. Love that gate leg table, BTW.

Simon Watson

That curvy red velvet sofa is a lot like a pair of luscious lips! I like the pairing with the straight, bench-style sofa with those unique angular legs.

Game-changing glam slam

Eric Piasecki via Dust Jacket

The curvy sofa holds its own against the elaborate moldings in this 158-year-old Manhattan townhouse. My favorite part, though, is the globe-like sculpture that’s angular but sort of round as well—a perfect choice. See/read more about this home’s renovation at Architectural Digest.

Tamara Eaton via Desire to Inspire

With furniture so glamorous and architecture so elegant, this room cries out for a bit of quirk. That shaggy mustard pouf does it for me, but I’m also liking the dog lamp with the teensy-weensy shade.

Anything-but-tired neo-trad

Hillary Thomas Designs via Apartment Therapy

The shade of mint green in that sofa is magical against the blushing draperies. I’ve never yet met a velvet I didn’t love, and this one doesn’t disappoint.

Foter

So much velvet, so little room! I love how this sofa is tufted around the bottom only. What a neat detail! And all those cute little pillows provide interesting pops of color.

On the fringe of a boho binge

Matthew Williams

The curved sofa vs. rectangular room isn’t the only contrast going on here. I love the juxtaposition of the Moroccan tables with the tufted French ottoman. See/read more about this New York brownstone at House to Home.

I think FUN people live here, and I could move right in and not change a thing. The printed sofa reminds me a bit of Marisa’s apartment (yes, we’re on a first-name basis now), but with lots of kids and dogs.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin