BH | Studio Lissone Curved Velvet Bench

The upholstered bench is one of the oldest seats in the house, from the long settles of the medieval hall to the cushioned window seats and end-of-bed benches of the nineteenth century. In the 1970s Italian furniture makers gave soft seating a looser, rounder shape, letting upholstery roll and curve like poured clay.

Its ends rise and fold back over themselves like ribbon, making two soft, rounded arms. Between them sits a thick seat cushion of dense foam that lifts out, and its cover comes off for cleaning. The whole bench is covered in a performance velvet that resists stains while keeping velvet's soft nap, in Caramel, Pewter or Navy, and glows in lamplight. Adjustable feet with non-marking pads level it on an uneven floor. It is rated to hold 661 lbs, seats two with ease, and arrives ready to use.

At the foot of a bed it is the place to pull on boots or lay out tomorrow's clothes, and under a bedroom window the afternoon sun picks out the nap. It works just as well in a living room facing the fire, in a home office for a visitor, or in a reception area where guests wait. The shape is pure 1970s: pair it with cream linen, dark walnut, brass and a sheepskin thrown over one end, or set it against an olive wall for a richer room. This listing is for one bench.