Sunday, January 13, 2013

Decorating With the Borne Settee





The Borne Settee: Circular, upholstered Victorian ottoman-type sofa, sometimes known as a conversation seat, which has three or four seat divisions and a central cone providing a backrest.

For the longest time I didn't know what these were called. In trying to find out I discovered that nobody else seemed to know either. People were asking and were calling them all kinds of names. My favorite was the round sofa thingy. It is nearly impossible to find out any information about them.I just recently stumbled upon their actual name.....a borne.

The Borne actually arose during NapolĂ©on III’s period in France (mid-1800’s). Depending on the style, three or four people could have a tete `a tete without too much familiarity. You would later see them in High Victorian homes as well. You know those Victorians, sitting there pretending to be so noble, all the while planning their trysts or absorbed in naughty conversation under the guise of unfamiliarity. Now after being be regulated to hotel lobbies, the borne is being embraced again for stylish interiors. People seem to be talking alot about them so maybe we have a new design trend in the making. I have found a few places where more contemporary versions can be purchased. If they regain popularity, just say you saw it here first. LOL

So if you really want to impress your friends,the next time you see one just casually say, "Isn't this a lovely borne?"  Enjoy!




The borne has always been  associated with old world opulence.


The Regents Gallery, Belvoir Castle



But not anymore!! Even contemporary homes can now enjoy the luxury of this lovely style of sofa.


If you love mixing antiques and modern be sure and consider a borne.


They are wonderful for entryways. I would not put one this close to the door, but you get the picture.



Geoffrey Bradfield interior with borne settee via Architectural Digest



The Borne definitely gives a room a touch of elegance.




A pretty modern traditional interior complete with borne settee.


Very pretty and feminine. I would love this borne settee in a dressing room.


Pretty chintz covered tufted borne settee in a traditional living room.



Beautiful borne settee in Grand Hotel Villa Feltrinelli, Lake Garda, Italy


You could have a borne custom designed to fit your particular style.



Borne Settee in The Colonnade at Windsor Castle



I think the sleek style of the borne and the console table look wonderful in this room. However I would lose the brown chair and green table.


A borne settee in a stunning entertainment area!


The original bornes were usually tufted like this.


The center of the borne settee is a great place to put a vase of flowers or an objet d'art.


An artistic take on the borne settee


A more contemporary version of the borne settee.

via Pinterest

An eclectic interior with a pretty blue bullion fringed borne settee.


via Pinterest


This contemporary borne can be purchased from the sites below.
deringhall.com and onekingslane.com


Since bornes are hard to find and very expensive when you do, I included this picture for you to try as a Do It Yourself project. I know many of you have support columns in your homes. This is a clever way to add interest and conversation seating. You could make it as sleek or fancy an your decor dictates.The possibilities are endless!!


Another fun idea for creating your own borne settee!




Please visit my website at www.lisafarmerdesigns.com


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Lisa Farmer
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