The Santo Sospir Willow Sofa

Named after the renowned Villa Santo Sospir on the Cote d’Azur, with interiors famously decorated by Madeleine Castaing and ‘tattooed’ by Jean Cocteau, this generously proportioned sofa takes inspiration from an original design sourced by Castaing in 1949 and recently re-commissioned by the Villa to be made in Soane’s workshops. The sofa is Soane’s first willow design, with the material chosen for its sustainable properties and local supply chain. So local that second generation willow weaver Eddie Glew cultivates and harvests rods himself, just a stone’s throw from his studio in Staffordshire, England. Much faster growing than timber, willow can be harvested annually and is noteworthy for its carbon sequestration.

This limited edition in willow is pioneering in its mixing of rattan and willow. The rattan cane frame supports an intricately woven, double-staked diamond latticework back in willow.

Available in natural willow grown locally in Britain with deep buttoned, loose cushions. The upholstery is made entirely from natural materials and is available in a choice of Soane (or client’s own) fabric.

This design is limited to an edition of 5 per year, due to the demanding skills required in the sofa’s production and the seasonal harvest of the plant itself.