A living room revamp with the ‘Douglas’ low-arm sofa from British Design Shop

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I’ve always loved our living room. It’s the space that made us fall for the house when we viewed it and the one we redecorated first after moving in, creating a calm, cosy haven with a mix of minimalist furniture, soft neutral tones and original Victorian architecture. But in recent months something had started to dampen our enjoyment of it: an increasingly creaky sofa that felt as if it might collapse beneath us at any second.

One of a pair of now-discontinued IKEA sofas that we bought for our previous flat back in 2011, it had stood us well for over a decade, but there was no doubting its time was up. While the smaller of the two had been used less and could be salvaged with new covers, the larger was beyond repair. The seat had dipped, the back cushions had sagged, and the frame had started to wobble and groan ominously every time we moved. The big question was what to replace it with.

Choosing a new sofa is a huge decision, and I wanted something modern yet timeless – a design that fits our pared-back style and will last for years to come. Comfort was also a key consideration: after all, this is where we spend a significant proportion of our evenings and weekends, and there’s no point buying something pretty if you’re not going to enjoy using it. I’d long had my eye on the gorgeous ‘Douglas’ sofa by British Design Shop, but I knew its high sides wouldn’t suit the way we personally tend to sit. The launch of a new low-arm version, then, seemed like fate, and we knew we’d found the model for us.

If you haven’t come across British Design Shop before, it’s definitely worth having them on your radar. They supply well-crafted, considered furniture which is made to order in British workshops, guaranteeing high quality, fair wages and good working conditions. Their focus is very much on combining traditional furniture-making skills with contemporary design, and as everything is produced locally the carbon footprint and costs of transportation are greatly reduced, too.

Created by Russell Gillott, who honed his design skills in the yacht industry, the ‘Douglas’ sofa exemplifies the company’s approach. Streamlined and versatile, it’s characterised by clean lines, gently rounded lozenge-shaped cushions and slimline black metal legs. There’s also beautiful detailing such as twin-needle seams that run along the external upholstery.

Like the original ‘Douglas’, the low-arm version comes in a range of sizes, from an armchair to a large sofa accommodating four people. The three-seater proved ideal for us, maximising sprawling-out space without taking up any more of what is quite a compact room. And, as the legs screw on easily after delivery, I knew it would – just! – be able to squeeze through our narrow front door and hallway.

There’s also a vast array of upholstery options to choose from, including linen, velvet, bouclé and recycled cotton. British Design Shop has a London showroom where you can view the fabrics and try out the various models in person, but for those of us based elsewhere they’ll happily send up to six free swatches in the post. I selected a range of muted neutrals and spent a few days analysing them in different lights, eventually settling on a lovely textural weave called ‘Pepper’. It’s a warm, sophisticated mid-grey and has the added advantage of stain-guard protection – handy if you have children or pets or, like me, you’re just prone to spillages!

The original plan was to keep the rest of the room much the same, but once the old sofa was out of the way we noticed how scuffed the walls had become. So, we decided it was time for a lick of paint and took the opportunity to swap the previous colour, Farrow & Ball’s Cornforth White, for ‘Matted Off’ by Crown. The same stony greige that I have in my little home office, it’s a tad lighter and warmer, making the room as a whole feel more inviting. It’s further brightened by pale beige accents, offsetting the grey while maintaining the soothing feel.

Other minor changes included replacing the previous gallery walls, which had a hotchpotch of different prints, with a more thoughtful selection of art that better complements the new sofa. On one wall there’s now an original abstract painting commissioned from Emilie Van Camp; on the other is a selection of my own travel photos, printed in black and white and framed with oversized mounts. We also introduced a black marble ‘Androgyne’ side table from Menu, and swapped our former opal-glass light for the stunning ‘Tense’ pendant by New Works. Together, they add a bit of contemporary elegance to the space – and the pendant is much softer when my very tall husband inevitably clonks his head on it!

The room still has the same soft, minimalist feel as before, but it’s definitely evolved and become more refined. The new sofa is the star piece, and oh my is it comfortable!  The cushions are supportive and cocooning, with a mix of firm Reflex foam and soft Dacron, and there’s a hidden angled lumbar-support cushion that cradles your frame as you lean back. I instantly noticed the lack of pressure on my lower spine compared to the old sofa, and the arms are the perfect height for leaning against with a book or a mug of coffee.

What’s more, we know the sofa is going to last. The frame is constructed from hardwood that’s kiln-dried to remove all moisture and enhance stability, and the joints are glued, dowelled and screwed together. On top of that, the corners and seat rails are strengthened with reinforcing blocks, and the back cushions are sewn together so there’s no risk of them sagging or losing their shape. In fact like all British Design Shop models, the ‘Douglas’ comes with a full ten-year structural guarantee.

I couldn’t be happier with our revamped living room, and particularly the new sofa. It’s the perfect balance of form and function, and it’s reassuring to know it will look and feel just as good years down the line. And the ultimate proof? How much I look forward to curling up on it at the end of a busy day!

See British Design Shop’s full range of furniture here; prices start from £399 for a side table and £1,099 for an armchair or sofa. My ‘Douglas’ low-arm sofa was payment in kind for something special that I’m creating in collaboration with the company – more on that to follow soon! 

All photography by Abi Dare