Interview with The Designer: Model 15
When it comes to sofa design, comfort and style need to work hand in hand. With the launch of Model 15, Swyft set out to create a piece that feels timeless yet fresh, balancing heritage charm with modern simplicity. We sat down with Beck, the creative mind behind the design, to discover the inspiration, craftsmanship, and small but clever details that make Model 15 more than just a sofa.
What was the core inspiration behind the design of Model 15?
Beck: Swyft wanted to break out into a new aesthetic and we wanted to bring in a heritage style that makes your home feel cosy and warm. We wanted a look which people recognised but didn’t feel old fashioned either, more timeless.
Were there any trends or insights that influenced this model?
Beck: Here at Swyft we have a small collection of sofas which is slowly growing, we’ve nailed the Mid-Century look with Model 01, 02 and 10, we’ve released our first Modern European style sofa; Model 12, it made sense for us to expand in to heritage, if even a little later.
Model 15 features a more classic silhouette – what was the design thinking behind this?
Beck: Classic sofas can often be very comfort oriented, meaning for generous proportions where it counts. Model 15’s seat leans you back and swallows you up and the back cushions reach up to the top of your shoulders. Both the back and seat cushions are plump and soft. I’m proud to say that it’s an extremely comfortable sofa, one which I find myself not wanting to stand up from.
How did you balance timeless appeal with modern usability in the design?
Beck: Usually this style of sofa is overly fussy, with way too many curves and details. We’ve cleaned up the classic look for a more modern take - especially with the fabric range we’re offering. We also added an ottoman to the collection so customers can complete their living rooms, sit back, stretch out and admire.
The backrest and arm shape are quite distinctive – what purpose do they serve ergonomically or stylistically?
Beck: The backrest sits over the arms to support the back cushions, and the arms roll into a perfect shape to support a resting head after a long day, or for those who like to treat themselves to an afternoon nap. We could have simplified the arms a little more, but we thought that the aesthetic and craftsmanship would be lost, so we opted to keep the look.
What part of Model 15 are you most proud of?
Beck: It probably doesn’t sound too exciting, however this sofa assembles differently to all of our other sofas - in a way that allows the backrest to sit above the armrests. If you look through our catalogue we’ve never done this before, as the arms normally attach last. Now we’ve cracked this conundrum, we can use this technique on future sofas - which our designer team is pretty thrilled about.
Dreaming of cosy nights on the sofa? Shop the Model 15 collection here.
