These sofas were characterized by their modular and versatile nature, often consisting of individual seating units that could be rearranged to create various seating configurations. The earliest use of the word “playpen” cited in the Oxford English Dictionary is 1902. Constructed with an array of materials, Playpen Sofas were a visual feast. Plush upholstery in vibrant, earthy hues, adorned with bold patterns and textures, was the hallmark of these sofas. What truly set the Playpen Sofa apart was its ability to shatter the boundaries of traditional furniture arrangements. Instead of a single, immovable piece, it consisted of individual seating units.
These units were ingeniously designed, offering corner pieces for curves, straight sections for symmetry, and everything in between. The result? A canvas for creativity. Homeowners could sculpt their living spaces into personalized masterpieces, expressing their individuality with ease. Several notable designers and furniture manufacturers lent their talents to this iconic piece of 1970s design. Names like Vladimir Kagan, Milo Baughman, and Adrian Pearsall became synonymous with the Playpen Sofa style. Major furniture companies like La-Z-Boy and Lane Furniture also embraced the trend, bringing it to a broader audience.
This is how Playpen was advertised in the 1970s:
Superbly constructed for extra softness with cushion-within-a-cushion seats and plump, wedge-shaped backs, these Playpen sofas original take up no more space than a standard sofa, table and pair of chairs. Remember when Mum used to pop you into a playpen to keep you out of mischief? With Simmons Playpen, we don’t guarantee the same results. In fact, the Playpen is a very adult idea in every sense. Sink into the luxury of crushed velvet ‘cushion within a cushion’ upholstery and we can’t be responsible for what happens. The Playpen treats you like an adult in other ways too. It pre-supposes you have your own ideas about arranging your furniture. Because of its modular design, it offers endless permutations. You can bring your own flair to arranging and re-arranging your Playpen to suit your room and your whims.
The Playpen comes in combinations of: corner sections, armless sections, and ottomans. You buy as many. or as few, as you want. And fit them together to suit your room. Or your moods, or your friends. As you’ve probably gathered, the Playpen is for adults. But that’s not to say it can’t take what kids can dish out. The fact is, Playpen’s rich, sensuous crushed velvet is remarkably rugged. So you can even pop your kids into the Playpen and they won’t get up to much mischief. With adults, it’s a different matter. See the Playpen at your Simmons Furniture dealer, or send in the coupon on this page for more information (and the address of your nearest Simmons dealer).
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