Antique settees in every shape and size | Styling ideas for every room in your home

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Have you ever walked into a room and felt something was missing—an empty corner, a lack of warmth, or a need for a statement piece? A settee might be the unexpected answer. Antique settees – including French-style daybeds and chaises – bring elegance, charm, and comfort into any space, especially in modern settings. Defying design trends, they blend decorative beauty with functional design. Yet many homeowners face the ‘Goldilocks dilemma’ — the search for a settee that feels ‘just right’  for their specific home, style, and space.

 

At The Crown Collection, you’ll find South Africa’s largest range of antique and French-style settees, daybeds and chaise lounges. Each piece is handpicked and tells a story, and many can be reupholstered in a fabric of your choice, allowing you to match your settee perfectly to your interior style.

At The Crown Collection, you’ll find South Africa’s largest range of antique and French-style settees, daybeds and chaise lounges.

The timeless appeal of antique settees

The design verdict? Antique settees never seem to go out of date and always add personality to any room. 

Their sculpted wood, graceful lines, gilded patina, and historic silhouettes offer instant character.

Leather-upholstered antique settees also make a striking statement, combining traditional craftsmanship with a refined, contemporary edge.

Pieces such as a Louis XV carved settee or a gilded rattan-back settee lend classic charm and visual interest, and are ‘just right’ in modern homes, vintage-inspired interiors, and eclectic spaces.

Pieces such as a Louis XV carved settee or a gilded rattan-back settee lend classic charm and visual interest, and are ‘just right’ in modern homes, vintage-inspired interiors, and eclectic spaces.

This ability to transform a room’s visual aesthetic is just one reason many homeowners are choosing antique settees or chaises as statement accents. Their craftsmanship stands out in today’s world of fast furniture. 

TAKE A BROWSE | Each piece from our collection has a history that contributes to its unique décor story — and now is the perfect moment to explore a settee that can bring that same character and timeless beauty into your own home.

French-style settees for classic modernity

French-style settees are the beloved go-to seating options for interior designers and homeowners looking for the wow factor in contemporary spaces. 

Because they don’t go out of fashion, they are worth the investment. 

Their refined frames, cabriole legs, and upholstered finishes create a sense of softness and luxury in any space.

Antique and French-style settees, sofas, daybeds, and chaise lounges also blend seamlessly with chandeliers and gilded mirrors, and pair beautifully with rustic décor and farmhouse antiques. The contrast between refined French curves and natural textures creates a balanced and visually satisfying interior.

How to use settees functionally in your home

Although undeniably beautiful to the eye, antique settees are more than decorative items.

Offering practical seating in various spaces, their compact size makes them ideal for almost any room. Here are a few functional ways to incorporate them:

Entryways and hallways

An antique settee creates an inviting first impression and serves as a stylish place to sit while putting on shoes, or as a temporary landing place for jackets, etc. A piece like a carved antique daybed adds charm to an otherwise overlooked area.

Although undeniably beautiful to the eye, antique settees are more than decorative items. Offering practical seating in various spaces, their compact size makes them ideal for almost any room.

Bedrooms

Place a settee at the foot of your bed for a luxurious feel. Choose a soft upholstered French chaise for comfort and elegance. It becomes a personal retreat for reading or relaxing.

Living rooms

Use a settee to complement sofas and armchairs. A French-style settee adds texture and depth while introducing a unique silhouette that breaks the monotony of large sofas.

Use a settee to complement sofas and armchairs. A French-style settee adds texture and depth while introducing a unique silhouette that breaks the monotony of large sofas.

Home offices

Create a cosy seating nook with a slim antique settee. It provides comfort without overwhelming the room. A structured French antique sofa adds authority and charm to a professional environment.

Dining spaces

For a chic look, antique settees are wonderful replacements for dining chairs. A small settee with bold upholstery redefines a dining corner by adding comfort and a sense of European café style. (Visit this blog for more inspiration on the settee dining trend.)

For a chic look, antique settees are wonderful replacements for dining chairs.

Styling settees for maximum visual impact

Décor styling brings out the best in these versatile pieces. Here are simple ways to enhance your settee:

Add cushions and throws

Soft cushions and textured throws add dimension. They also allow you to bring seasonal colours into your décor.

Soft cushions and textured throws add dimension to antique settees. They also allow you to bring seasonal colours into your décor.

Pair with accent tables

An antique side table or gilded console strengthens the settee’s presence. French-style pieces match beautifully with carved wooden tables or marble-topped consoles.

Use art to frame the space

To create a striking focal point, hang artwork or a decorative mirror above the settee. For a classic museum-style effect, place a decorative settee under a framed antique tapestry. 

Choose the right fabric

The Crown Collection offers reupholstery in a wide range of fabrics. This customisation ensures your piece suits your decor. Velvet, linen, damask, and cotton blends all work well. Upholstery is the easiest way to modernise an antique or enhance its traditional look.

The Crown Collection offers reupholstery in a wide range of fabrics. This customisation ensures your settee suits your decor.

Antique settees that tell a story

When you choose an antique settee from The Crown Collection, you’re investing in quality and history. Pieces like French chaises, curved antique daybeds, and ornate sofas bring character to your home with every carved detail highlighting craftsmanship.

The easy versatility of antique settees, French-style daybeds, sofas, and chaise lounges makes them perfect statement pieces for both formal and casual spaces. 

With endless shapes and sizes available, you can find a piece that is ‘just right’ for your home.

Transform your space with the largest selection in SA

With over 100 settees, daybeds, chaises and ottomans in stock, you’re likely to find ‘ the one’ at The Crown Collection.  

And whether you prefer French elegance, antique charm, or modern comfort, you’ll find a settee that suits your style. Custom upholstery, staining, bleaching, or gilding, all done in-house by our restoration team, adds the final touch.

Explore the collection and discover how one exquisite piece can become a favourite in any contemporary space. 

 

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Settee Dining | Integrating comfort & style in modern homes

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: , , , , |

As dining spaces evolve to accommodate modern living, it’s exciting to see antique items step in as designer options. Settee dining is at the heart of this change, creating the cosy, inviting feel of a living room with the functionality of a dining area.

 

Dining is more than eating; it’s about gathering, sharing, and making memories. Settee dining adds soul to a space and transforms any meal into a comfortable experience.

The décor trend of adding a settee as part of your dining seating options is transforming these spaces in modern homes, especially when choosing antique settees to bring character and sophistication.

Settee dining involves using a settee or smaller sofa as seating at the table; on one or both sides.

What is settee dining?

Simply put, it involves using a settee or smaller sofa as seating at the dining table; on one or both sides. This unique seating alternative offers a plush, comfortable alternative to conventional dining chairs or wooden benches, lending any dining room or eat-in kitchen table configuration a more relaxed, intimate look. 

Why settee dining works in modern spaces

As conversation starters, antique settees boast intricate woodwork, fine upholstery, and distinct shapes; bringing unique character and history that modern pieces often can’t replicate, By thoughtfully blending comfort with aesthetics, settee dining has emerged as an elegant way to elevate a dining area. It’s also a style that effortlessly integrates old-world charm, especially by integrating antique settee options.

Antique settees boast intricate woodwork, fine upholstery, and distinct shapes

A brief history of settee dining furniture

Settees have been in use since the early days of aristocratic interiors, where comfort and class were paramount. These furniture pieces were initially crafted for sitting rooms but have found a new ‘upcycled’ purpose in today’s dining rooms. Their style has evolved to suit modern sensibilities, from ornate Victorian settees to sleek, contemporary designs.

The benefits of settee dining in contemporary homes

Enhanced comfort for relaxed dining

Adding a settee to a dining area creates a welcoming space in homes with open-plan layouts. A settee allows diners to relax, lean back, and enjoy long meals in a more informal setting, making it perfect for hosting family and friends.

Adding a settee to a table creates a welcoming space in homes with open-plan layouts.

Space efficiency for smaller dining areas

For smaller dining spaces, settees can be a space-saving solution. A well-sized settee can accommodate more people without requiring individual chairs, maximizing seating without overwhelming the room.

Aesthetic versatility

Settees come in various styles, making it easy to find one that matches your décor or adapts to your style.  Whether your home has a classic, rustic, or modern aesthetic, a settee can blend seamlessly into the design.

Settee dining in various interiors

French-style | Classic elegance and comfort

A French-style settee with wood detailing or tufted upholstery can enhance a traditional space’s timeless appeal. Pair it with a dark wood table to create an atmosphere of sophistication or a light, bleached table for a casual décor dining narrative. 

A French-style settee with wood detailing or tufted upholstery can enhance a traditional space's timeless appeal.

Modern, minimalist style | Streamlined sophistication

For modern spaces, a streamlined, low-back settee in a neutral colour can add an element of warmth without disrupting the room’s simplicity. Choose sleek designs with clean lines for a minimalist approach.

Bohemian and eclectic styles | Bold patterns and colours

Bohemian and eclectic interiors allow for more vibrant choices. A patterned antique settee can act as a striking contrast and a statement piece, drawing attention and adding character to the dining area. For a curated, layered look, have fun mixing different styles of dining chairs with a settee.

A patterned antique settee can act as a striking contrast and a statement piece, drawing attention and adding character to the dining area. For a curated, layered look, have fun mixing different styles of dining chairs with a settee.

Key considerations for choosing a settee 

Sizing | Finding the perfect fit

When adding a settee to your dining area, sizing is crucial. Ensure it fits comfortably with your table, leaving enough space for movement and other seating options.

When adding a settee to your dining area, sizing is crucial. Ensure it fits comfortably with your table, leaving enough space for movement and other seating options.

Material choices | Upholstery and finishes

The upholstery should be durable and easy to clean, especially in a dining space where spills are common. Leather, microfiber, and performance fabrics are all good options.

Colour and fabric selection

Choose colours that either complement or contrast with your existing decor. For a subtle look, neutrals are ideal, while bold colours can make the settee a focal point.

Choose colours that either complement or contrast with your existing decor.

Durability and maintenance tips

Settees in dining rooms need to withstand frequent use. Opt for high-quality, durable fabrics, and consider using slipcovers to protect from wear and tear.

Settee dining options from The Crown Collection décor store 

For those looking to create a dining experience beyond the ordinary, our hand-picked collection of settees combines style, story and comfort.

Whether you opt for an elaborate decorative design or a simpler antique version, a settee added to your dining table will always fit beautifully into a modern interior. 

Browse our curated selection of antique settees. (Our in-house restorers can also stain, bleach, gild or paint antique pieces to achieve your preferred finish).

 

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