In Kensington, London, Jo and Scott faced with a unique design challenge: a sitting room with a floor plan so intricate that traditional furniture arrangements wouldn’t work. The room was on the first floor of the house, consisting of three adjoining rooms, each with its own distinctive features—curved walls, bay windows, and fireplaces that weren’t centred. It was beautiful space that defied symmetry, leaving only one option: a custom piece that could embrace the room’s fluidity. This one-of-a-kind sofa was revisited when we returned to redesign the house some years later.

Given the room's layout and the curves of the walls, a round sofa was essential. At the time, such sofas were virtually unheard of, especially in the way Jo and Scott envisioned. While searching for inspiration among vintage furniture during a trip to New York, Scott discovered an old design by the renowned Vladimir Kagan. Celebrated as the king of fluid form sofas, Kagan had transformed mid-century modern design with his signature curvaceous pieces. However, despite being captivated by Kagan’s work, none of his existing sofas matched the required dimensions. After reaching out to Vladimir Kagan, we were thrilled to discover he was eager to collaborate.

What made this collaboration particularly special was not only Kagan’s craftsmanship but also the personal connection forged with him. He didn’t just create a piece of furniture; he captured the very essence of the room. The entire space was designed around this sofa, which became a versatile centrepiece that would transition with the family as they moved. In many ways, it was a lifetime commission—a bespoke creation crafted to endure and adapt as their lives evolved.

In 2009, the sofa was installed, quite theatrically, as it was craned through a window. The room was transformed. Several years later, in 2012/13, we revisited the house and made some updates, re-upholstering the sofa and making minor adjustments to suit the family's needs.

This sofa was a work of art, an heirloom, and a central feature in a room that defied tradition. Working directly with Vladimir Kagan and Erica Wilson was an experience that highlighted the beauty of collaboration—where design meets storytelling, and a simple idea evolves into something extraordinary. This project remains a testament to what can happen when vision and craftsmanship collide.