Posted 3 years ago
somethings…
(1 item)
Hi!
I am a huge Disney Tower of Terror fan and have been trying to locate items that are in the "lobby" portion of the ride to furnish my home with. Disney has said that they indeed furnished the lobby with actual antiques from Los Angeles auctions but there is one item I cannot figure out.
I want to either re-create or find the couch that is in the Orlando version of the ride. I have tried researching early 20th century couches (the ride takes place in the 1930s, with Neo-Mediterranean style decor and furnishings) and cannot for the life of me figure it out.
Does anyone know by examining these photos if it looks to be a real vintage couch or did Disney possibly create and upholster their own 1930s style couch? Is the base a certain make and manufacture?
I have even been trying to locate what company made the fabric that is in the seat area in hopes to find that fabric so I could upholster a couch to look similar.
The feet on the couch are also very squared off which I could not find any couches in my tireless internet searches that had similar feet.
Apologies for the poor photos, it's very difficult to photograph the couch unless you're carrying around to high end zoom camera at the park. I know one of the photos I provided has been digitally enhanced but hoped that would help someone identify details that give away its origin.
I really hope someone will be able to provide some insight. I would most certainly appreciate it! Thanks and stay well!
i saw a very similar couch for sale yesterday. They aren't difficult to find here in the bay area. the trick will be upholstering them in a similar way. You certainly need to find the exact same materials, do you?
it looks 1920s/30s to me.
Yup. That's what I'm trying to figure out. What company possibly manufactured the fabric? Or did Disney create their own fabric based on a real 1930s upholstery fabric?
Good to know though that there are similar bases out there. I'm in Las Vegas and have been debating on going and looking around California for one.
Can anyone tell what company possibly could have built the couch base? Could it have been made by Duncan Phyfe? Or what other big company names were around in the 1920s and 1930s?
Thanks for the input!
Duncan Phyfe, you certainly know nothing of these antique couches. They were reproduced during the 1950's to 60's also and some companies had little catalogs that made the furniture until the 1980's also, as I was looking then. Did not have to read that on the internet.
Hi, somethingsnappy91. :-)
I can understand a fascination with vintage furnishings, because I myself have tracked a sofa and chair set acquired by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, and used in many of their films. So far, I've found eight movies where various pieces of the set were used, ranging from "Ninotchka" in 1939 to "Made in Paris" in 1966.
Yeah. I got it bad, and that ain't good. >8-0
Anyway, about your Tower of Terror couches: it could be a very expensive venture to have an elaborate sofa reupholstered, and I think the style of those twin couches in the ToT with their pillow arms and large fabric pattern qualify in that department.
You could try to do it yourself, but upholstering is not really a hobby for total amateurs. My own mother did it, but then she brought to the task a general handiness, plus considerable sewing skills, and despite her diminutive size, plenty of physical strength (which a person needs for stretching fabric onto a furniture frame).
The first thing you'd need, of course, is a suitable couch.
While I certainly knew the name Duncan Phyfe, I didn't know it well enough to pin it down on a historical timeline:
*snip*
Duncan Phyfe, original name Duncan Fife, (born 1768, near Loch Fannich, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland—died August 16, 1854, New York, New York, U.S.), Scottish-born American furniture designer, a leading exponent of the Neoclassical style, sometimes considered the greatest of all American cabinetmakers.
*snip*
Interest in Phyfe’s furniture was revived in 1922 when the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, organized a comprehensive exhibition of his work.
*snip*
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Duncan-Phyfe
So while some 1920s/1930s era furniture pieces may be called Duncan Phyfe, they weren't personally made by him.
Perhaps you saw this listing:
*snip*
The 1920's Duncan Phyfe Sofa, Mahogany Trim with Swan Arms, Brocade Upholstery
*snip*
https://www.justanswer.com/antiques/9vfst-uncle-left-mom-duncan-phyfe-sofa-tell.html
Something like that could do the trick, but even if it already has upholstery you love (and thus not in need of reupholstering), it probably isn't cheap.
Here's another sample of a 1920s/1930s era art deco couch with a lot of wood trim:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/702675465/art-deco-settee-c-1930s-origin-france
One more:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/953895403/antique-sofa-vintage-couch-fabric-wood
Your best bet is to haunt thrift shops and/or online listings for 1930s art deco couches.
Not to mention boning up on the art of reupholstering:
https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/upholstery-101-a-beginners-look-at-the-trade-pictures
Good luck. :-)
BTW, I think I should mention that "Art Deco" isn't necessarily what you're looking for; it's just that my hits of similar-looking couches increased when I included that in my search criteria.
https://www.christies.com/features/The-A-Z-of-furniture-A-glossary-7548-1.aspx
The search criteria of "Biedermeier sofa" produces a lot of hits of suitable-looking couches, even though they're not necessarily 1930s vintage.
@keramikos Thank you so much for your insight! I couldn't find any buzzwords that were helping to garner similar results (especially since most people like myself are not furniture connoisseurs and no doubt list things incorrectly). I'm certain this won't be cheap but am willing to invest a few thousand dollars into the project, I simply was hoping for a springboard and you definitely gave me a good start. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to help!
@PhilDMorris Thanks for your belittling comment, you sure know how to make a person feel welcome. Not that I owe you an explanation but I never claimed to be an expert, hence my asking for help. I was hoping to find a friendly community that could advise on collectible furnishings and luckily found one person, it just wasn't you.
somethingsnappy91, You're quite welcome. :-)
Since you mentioned your proximity to LA, and willingness to shop there: I suspect there are many purveyors of antique and vintage furnishings in the LA area.
Here is one who currently has a wood frame sofa (it's actually of 1940s provenance):
https://annehauck.com/portfolio-item/sofa-415s/
The purveyor might be able to give you more advice, and/or point you in the right direction.
As for my own vintage furnishings obsession: I was drinking my morning coffee, and blearily watching part of an old movie, musing that the film was of the right period to see the sofa/chair set, and Bam! There was the sofa.
So now there are nine movies. I'm sure there will be more if I only pay attention. };-)
Here's a candidate for reupholstering:
*snip*
Antique 19th Century American Empire Walnut Burlwood Camelback Sofa Couch
Circa 1850s American Empire camel-back sofa. Made from flamed walnut burlwood with flared arms and beaded lower apron. Upholstered in a green and black jungle theme fabric that needs to be replaced.
CONDITION
Good structurally and aesthetically, Upholstery worn / torn and needs to be replaced. Hand tied springs are loose and need to be rebacked and supported. Front right leg repaired in past.
DIMENSIONS
33" x 33" x 86", seat 18"
*snip*
https://www.etsy.com/listing/787418174/antique-19th-century-american-empire
@keramikos
Thanks so much again for more insight and information! Your research has actually inspired me to continue mine and try to learn more terminology and buzz words. And in doing so I think I FINALLY discovered what company manufactured that specific couch!!!
Someone on Ebay has a 1931 Karpen Furniture advertisement and much to my excitement, page 13 has almost that exact shaped couch complete with the pillows and the correct arm shape! And the print on the seats is very reminiscent of the Tower couches! :) "Kroehler" seemed to also construct similar ones around that time after seeing some of their ads as well, but nothing is as close as the Karpen in that ad! :D
Also, still not sure if Disney has made their own Karpen-esqe upholstery and upholstered the couch themselves. Since they have to do regular ride refurbishments, it would be wise to have the fabrics used in the ride on hand in case anything would need to be replaced.
SNIP
Here is the full listing so you can see all the pages
https://www.ebay.com/itm/153291919356?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28
SNIP
But here is page 13 that has the "Tower" (15F233) model:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/7XkAAOSwoZlcCFRp/s-l1600.jpg
I was beyond excited to finally find an answer but then realized Karpen couches are exceptionally rare and getting your hands on one, especially one with those specific arms and pillows will be near impossible. And I'm more attached to the specific look of that model rather than it having it be an authentic a "Karpen" so spending money on one, even if I could find a Karpen, would not technically be worth it for me unless it was EXACT. My favorite part of this couch is those arms and pillows :)
So my thoughts are that I am going to have to have someone custom make the couch to have that shape. Just trying to decide how to go about getting quotes for that. I guess I will start here in Vegas, then go to California if I'm not getting the right craftsman for this specific style.
I'm also wondering if it would be easier for a carpenter if they had a base to work with, then they could add on/ alter things like the correct arm shape, legs, etc. Or if starting from scratch technically is easier? Sadly I am not knowledgeable of carpentry so this is beyond me. By the way, you found some really great bases which is super helpful! Thank you!
The upholstery is a whole other can of worms which I think I'm going to have to recreate that pattern with someone and have it printed on upholstery fabric. I may possibly have someone who could help me with this.
I know this whole venture is going to be EXTREMELY expensive and it will be a long time before I even accomplish it. But regardless, I am creating my dream couch to keep forever and I think that would be worth it in itself :D
And I love as you pointed out, it's a joy to see your couch pop up unexpectedly in a movie over a morning cup of coffee. I would love every time I see photos of Tower of Terror or with each trip down to Orlando I can see my couch living in the "Hollywood Tower Hotel" ;)
Again your insight and encouragement has been a huge help! Thanks again!!!
somethingsnappy91, Woo hoo! You rock!
It doesn't have the exposed wood frame on top and the pillows aren't box edge, but it's damn close. :-)
(Converted from image to text via OCR and touched up.)
*snip*
Two-piece suite with pillow and davenport. Pillow arm davenports are much in demand to-day for their nicely proportioned designs and splendid comfort qualities. This suite by Karpen with its pillow arm sofa is exceptionally lovely. Typically Kamen throughout it has that in-built comfort which every one looks for in the furniture they put into their home. The covering is guaranteed against damage by moths for a period of three years from date of shipment from the factory. Frame is of hardwood. Full web bottoms. Double cone coil spring seats of high carbon Premier wire are securely tied 8 to 11 times. Loose cushions rest on a spring edge seat. Famous Karpenesque spring filled backs and cushions covering as shown in Grade 100 mohair with reverse cushions in Grade 100 Jacquard velour. Legs are finished is antique mahogany. Sofa is 88 inches long, 36 inches deep and 34 Inches high. Shipping weight 260 lbs.
*snip*
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/7XkAAOSwoZlcCFRp/s-l1600.jpg
Somebody else here posted some Karpen furniture, along with some Karpen Furniture history.:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/97431-1903-s-karpen-and-bros-chicago-art-nouv
Here's an outfit in Vegas that does custom made furniture. If they can't build it, perhaps they can give you a referral:
http://lasvegascustomfurnituremakers.com/
Crossing my fingers for you. :-)
Advice on upholstery fabric:
https://deavita.net/upholstery-fabric-types-characteristics.html
A few definitions:
https://signatureupholstery.co.uk/brocade-brocatelle-damask-weaves/
Last, but not necessarily least, you might want to consider a private VIP tour so that you could see the sofas in person, up close, and measure/photograph them:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/private-vip-tours/
What's the worst that they could say besides no? };-)