As of this week, Robbie Williams can add the title of furniture designer to his existing professional accomplishments as the iconic singer and songwriter reveals his first ever lounge chair design created in collaboration with Dutch furniture brand Moooi, called the Introvert Chair.
I didn’t have Robbie Williams launching a designer chair on my bingo card for 2025, but the design alone is pretty impressive. It has a sculptural, curved shape with bubble-like effect created using an innovative 3D quilting technique. Each chair is also individually stitched (the price tag is starting to make a lot more sense now).
Just based on aesthetics alone, it’s one of the best swivel chairs I’ve seen – because yes, it comes with a rotating swivel function.
(Image credit: Moooi)
Of course, we’re used to seeing collections from celebrities, but it usually involves something on a smaller scale like home accessories, as is the case with Amanda Holden’s QVC range, or paint, much like Stacey Dooley’s collaboration with COAT. But instead, Robbie just went straight into designing furniture with Moooi.
Moooi
The Introvert Chair by Robbie Williams
Designed to be ‘part sculpture, part sanctuary’ rather than simply a chair, the Introvert Chair (as the name suggests) is created for introverts or for anyone who needs to disconnect from the hectic everyday life. That’s why it boasts a comfortable wraparound design aiming to be reminiscent of a hug, with soft yet tactile upholstery in soothing ivory, made with a blend containing alpaca, virgin wool and cotton. It’s a comforting and ‘quiet’ design, but a statement one at the same time.
‘The Introvert Chair is more than just a place to lounge, it’s a whole mood,’ Robbie says. ‘In a world that rarely slows down, we often crave a place of respite, and this chair is just that. Its soft fabric and gentle curves create a sanctuary that offers complete comfort and calm, reminding me of the power art and design have… not only in shaping our spaces, but in transforming how we feel within them.’
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More affordable alternatives
If you like the look of Robbie Williams’ Introvert Chair but can’t quite justify the price tag, I found a handful of similar-looking swivel chairs that are much more budget friendly. But who knew that even a Soho Home armchair like this one could one day seem like the affordable buy?!
Sofa Village
Atrani Teddy Boucle Swivel Accent Chair
Complete with a similar bubble upholstery effect, this boucle chair looks the closest in design to Robbie’s design.
Next
Hague Swivel Accent Chair
If you’re willing to forego the textured finish, this Next design is the one I’d likely go for. It just looks so sleek and like a designer piece without the crazy price tag.
Dunelm
Elena Scalloped Swivel Chair
Featuring a more traditional and classic look compared to the Introvert Chair, this Dunelm swivel is a popular one with customers. So much so that after it sold out, many eagerly anticipated its return.
A luxury lounge chair designed by Robbie Williams may not have been on my 2025 bingo card, but (perhaps surprisingly) I’m here for it, especially as the design is something a little different.
When it comes to creating an interior that feels both classic and effortlessly modern, few materials capture the essence of timeless style quite like linen. Known for its soft texture, natural lustre, and relaxed elegance, linen décor strikes a perfect balance between comfort and sophistication. Whether you’re refreshing a living room, bedroom, or entire home, this versatile fabric can bring warmth and texture to any space. From choosing the right linen lounge chair to layering with other natural elements, here’s how to embrace linen for a look that will never go out of style.
Start with a Neutral Palette
Linen naturally lends itself to calm, neutral colour schemes — think shades of ivory, beige, sand, taupe, and soft greys. These hues create a timeless foundation that complements both contemporary and traditional interiors. When selecting linen décor, stick to this muted palette and allow the texture of the fabric to take centre stage. If you want to add a touch of contrast, layer in earthy tones such as olive green, rust, or charcoal to give the room depth and interest while maintaining a cohesive and enduring aesthetic.
Embrace the Beauty of Texture
Linen’s tactile texture is what makes it so inviting. Unlike smooth, synthetic materials, linen has a natural irregularity that gives a lived-in, organic feel. Use this to your advantage by layering different weights and weaves throughout your space. For instance, pair a lightweight linen curtain with a heavier linen sofa or armchair. Combine cushions, throws, and upholstery in varying finishes — from soft-washed linen to coarser, rustic styles — to create a space that feels rich and authentic without looking overdone.
Choose Quality Furniture Pieces
A timeless interior is built on well-crafted, enduring furniture. Incorporating a linen lounge chair is a perfect way to introduce both comfort and elegance into your living room. Linen upholstery works beautifully on chairs and sofas thanks to its breathable nature and ability to soften with age. Select pieces with clean lines and classic silhouettes that can transition seamlessly between interior trends. The simplicity of linen furniture ensures it remains stylish even as tastes evolve, making it a smart long-term investment for your home.
Balance Linen with Natural Materials
To enhance linen’s organic charm, pair it with other natural materials like timber, stone, jute, and rattan. A solid oak dining table or a woven jute rug can add warmth and structure, while a marble coffee table provides a sleek, modern counterpoint. This combination of textures creates harmony and balance — a key characteristic of timeless design. The result is a space that feels both grounded and luxurious, with each element contributing to an overall sense of natural beauty.
Incorporate Soft Furnishings Thoughtfully
Linen cushions, bedspreads, and curtains are simple yet powerful ways to weave this fabric into your décor. For bedrooms, opt for linen bedding sets that exude relaxed elegance and comfort. In living areas, mix plain linen cushions with subtle stripes or muted patterns to add visual interest. Because linen is breathable and durable, it’s ideal for homes that value both practicality and beauty. Its effortless drape and subtle sheen can elevate even the simplest spaces into serene retreats.
Keep the Styling Understated
Linen interiors are at their best when kept simple and uncluttered. Avoid over-accessorising — instead, allow the natural beauty of the fabric and your key furniture pieces to shine. Choose décor items with purpose, such as ceramic vases, minimalist lighting, or a textured throw blanket. Remember, the goal is to achieve a timeless look, not a trend-driven one. Minimal styling highlights the quality of your materials and gives the room an air of refined ease.
Play with Light and Airiness
One of linen’s greatest assets is its ability to diffuse light softly. Linen curtains let in a gentle glow while maintaining privacy, creating an inviting and tranquil environment. To maximise this effect, keep your space open and airy with light-coloured walls and minimal window treatments. The interplay between natural light and linen fabrics brings a sense of calm sophistication that few other materials can replicate.
Maintain and Love Your Linen
Linen ages gracefully, becoming softer and more characterful over time. To preserve its beauty, care for it properly — use mild detergents, avoid harsh chemicals, and allow it to air dry where possible. Embrace its natural creases and slight imperfections, as these only add to its charm and authenticity. A well-cared-for linen piece can last for years, becoming a cherished part of your home’s design story.
A Final Word on Timeless Style
Creating a timeless interior doesn’t mean avoiding trends entirely — it means focusing on elements that endure. Linen décor offers just that: a combination of simplicity, versatility, and natural beauty that transcends fleeting fashions. Whether it’s a statement linen lounge chair, a breezy curtain, or a textured cushion, each piece contributes to a home that feels effortlessly stylish and inviting for years to come.
By embracing linen’s understated elegance, you’re not just decorating — you’re curating a space that tells a story of comfort, craftsmanship, and enduring design.
Last Saturday, Swyft’s first physical store, named Store 01, opened in London’s Angel. I popped in on the launch day to see and experience this new shop of one of my favourite brands of sofas and furniture for myself. And I’m so glad this store now exists so you and I can see and try all of Swyft’s popular sofas and sofa beds in one place.
When I was doing research for Ideal Home’s best sofas and best modular sofas guides earlier this year, I had a hard time tracking down all the different Swyft sofa models that I wanted to try in person. Even though John Lewis stocks the majority of the styles, only a fraction is available to see and test out at the retailer’s physical stores, so I had to sift through all the various little stockists that have one or two models on show to track down the ones I wanted to see.
But with Swyft’s new Store 01 now on the scene, that’s a thing of the past for all Londoners, myself included.
In the store, you can try one of our top-rated sofa beds, the Swyft Model 04.
(Image credit: Future/Sara Hesikova)
The store spans two floors at Islington Square shopping centre – the full address is at Unit G17, Islington Square, 129F Upper Street, N1 1QP – which is a perfect location if you ask me as it offers a lot of space and the likes of Arlo & Jacob and The Lounge Co are Swyft’s new neighbours, with a Loaf store also in the neighbourhood just a five-minute walk away. So if you’re shopping for a new sofa or sofa bed, you can hit up multiple sofa stores in one go.
‘Store 01 – Angel marks a really exciting moment for Swyft,’ says Ben White, trade sales manager at Swyft. ‘It’s our first physical space and a true reflection of who we are as a brand. We wanted to create somewhere that feels welcoming, relaxed, and design-led; a place where customers can experience the quality, comfort, and craftsmanship of our furniture in person. Angel, and Islington Square specifically, felt like the perfect fit with its vibrant, creative community that mirrors our own values. The store is designed to feel like a home, not a showroom, giving customers the chance to see, touch, and imagine Swyft pieces in real life.’
Swyft is most known for its quick-delivery sofas and sofa beds which can be with you within 24 hours after you place your order which is pretty unheard of, since sofas famously come with long-lead delivery times of several weeks. Another great thing about Swyft’s best sofa beds and sofas is that they arrive flatpacked in a box but are also super easy and fast to assemble.
But as already mentioned, the one downside was the difficulty to try the products out IRL before purchasing. But that’s no longer the case as the store’s two floors showcase the brand’s sofa and sofa bed designs, as well as its beds, ottomans, coffee tables, dining furniture, cushions and rugs – even I didn’t know how many different rug designs Swyft sells, it might just be one of my new favourite places to buy rugs.
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(Image credit: Future/Sara Hesikova)
One wall is also dedicated to all the different fabrics you can get your sofa or sofa bed in, including Swyft’s collaboration with Morris & Co. that launched earlier this year.
Top Swyft picks
Swyft
Model 04 3-seater Sofa Bed
Ranked as the best quick delivery sofa bed in our sofa bed buying guide, Swyft’s Model 04 also comes with hidden storage and an included mattress topper.
Swyft
Model 03 3-seater Chaise Sofa
Swyft’s Model 03 is one of my all-time favourite modular sofas as it’s comfortable with just enough support, boasting a sleek modern and minimalist look.
Swyft
Model 08 2-seater Sofa Bed
The store is now open every week from Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 7pm – are you planning a visit?
Loaf has just launched two new super-stylish sofa beds, and their flatpack builds are specifically designed to help those of us who struggle with awkward delivery access.
If you’re currently searching for the best sofa bed for your home, I think you’ll definitely want this multifunctional seating on your radar.
The two new sofa bed designs are based on two of Loaf’s most-loved sofas – the fantastically named Squishmeister and Squisharoo.
Loaf is known for its laidback designs, and when I was researching where to buy a sofa for Ideal Home’s best sofa guide, I found the brand does mean that quite literally.
Most Loaf sofas have *very* deep seats, which means your body lies back rather than sitting upright. In contrast, the Squishmeister and Squisharoo sofas feature slightly shallower seats and more supportive backrests. I found this a much more comfortable sitting experience: there’s still plenty of room to curl up, but it’s also much easier to sit more upright if you want to.
The other bonus for those of us who need to think more carefully about small living room ideas is that the Squishmeister and Squisharoo have smaller footprints and take up less floor space than most of Loaf’s range.
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The new Squishmeister and Squisharoo sofa beds are identical in design to these sofas, and their flatpack design is another nod towards those of us who aren’t blessed with wide hallways and commanding living rooms.
(Image credit: Loaf)
‘It’s all to do with access,’ explains Laura Burnett, category lead on made-to-order upholstery at Loaf. ‘We introduced our flat-pack sofa bed designs in response to real customer feedback about access challenges.’
‘Many homes, particularly in cities, are smaller apartments or have narrow hallways and tricky staircases – we wanted to ensure everyone could enjoy a seriously comfy sofa bed, no matter their space. The clever flat-pack design simply makes delivery smoother and stress-free.’
And, thankfully, the flat-packed designs don’t mean you’re left with any time-consuming DIY to do once the delivery team leaves.
‘Our Room-Ready Delivery Service means customers don’t need to worry about any fiddly assembly,’ says Laura. ‘Our two-person team sets it up in the room of your choice and takes away all the packaging, so you can just put your feet up.’
(Image credit: Loaf)
If you don’t need to take advantage of the flat-packed delivery, then both the Squishmeister and Squisharoo are available in non-flatpack options as well.
And whether you opt for flatpack or ready-built, both sofa beds feature sink-in cushions that make these two sofa beds that are *actually* comfortable enough for everyday use as a standard sofa.
Plus, both have 12cm deep pull-out mattresses hidden under those seat cushions. That makes them the thickest sofa bed mattresses on the market, and unlike standard foam options, the mattresses are handmade with proper pocket springs.
Shop flatpack sofa bed alternatives
Loaf’s Squishmeister and Squisharoo aren’t the only flat-packed sofa beds on the market – I’ve rounded up three alternative options below – but, in my opinion, they are two of the most comfortable *and* stylish options you could consider.
IKEA
TORNSBORG Sofa Bed
Think flatpack furniture, and IKEA is the brand that most probably springs into most of our minds. I’ve tested every sofa bed IKEA offers, and I think the IKEA TORNSBORG Sofa Bed is the best of the Swedish brand’s collection. But, unlike the Loaf Squishmeister and Squisharoo, this self-assembly sofa bed isn’t going to fool anyone into thinking it’s a standard sofa. And unless you pay extra for TaskRabbit to assemble it for you, you will need to spend a few hours scratching your head over the assembly instructions before you can sit (or sleep) on it. However, it is *very* affordable if you need a sofa bed that won’t break the bank.
Swyft
Model 08 Sofa Bed
Swyft’s sofa beds are all delivered flat-packed, and if you’re looking for a quick delivery sofa bed, most options can be delivered in as little as 24 hours (almost unheard of in the world of furniture where long lead times are the norm). Swyft’s flatpack designs are super easy to assemble, with no tools required, or you can pay extra for the delivery team to assemble for you. Plus, selected Swyft sofa beds have just launched in some super-pretty Morris & Co prints. However, there are fewer upholstery options overall than Loaf offers, and the seating is a firmer affair, which lacks Loaf’s sink-in comfort.
Darlings of Chelsea
Bromley Sofa Bed
Having tested all of Darlings of Chelsea’s sofa bed range, I found the Bromley sofa bed the most comfortable, and it’s one of the few of the brand’s sofa beds that comes with the option to have it delivered flat-packed and assembled by the delivery team in situ. Unlike the previous two options, which offer firmer seating, I also considered this sofa bed comfortable enough to use as everyday seating in the living room, and it’s available in over 175 upholstery options that will help it to blend into your living space rather than sticking out like a sore thumb. However, I do find Loaf’s sink-in sofa comfort is second to none.
In comparison, with prices starting at £3295,Loaf’s Squishmeister and Squisharoo sofa beds certainly aren’t cheap.
However, they do come made-to-order in over 140 upholstery options, and if you’re looking for a sofa bed that can take pride of place in your living room – rather than being hidden away in a home office – I think both the Squishmeister and Squisharoo are worth the investment.
Sitting on sofas, trying and testing them out has become something of my specialty. But having sat on over 200 sofas to date and counting, it means that I don’t get impressed by a sofa all that easily. But after coming across the new Next Crosby modular storage sofa at the brand’s autumn/winter 2025 press preview earlier this month, I was obsessed.
The choice of sofas on the market seems almost endless, but there are not that many unique and original designs out there. I’ve pretty much seen and sat on it all. But once in a while, there is a brand or a particular best sofa design that stands out, whether that’s the John Lewis Pleat sofa or Habitat’s new made-to-order sofas, including the Sacha sofa.
And the latest sofa that’s managed to grab my attention to the point that I’d consider investing in it myself if I didn’t already own my dream sofa is Next’s versatile Crosby sofa.
(Image credit: Next)
Next
Crosby Modular Sofa Corner Piece With Storage
Next
Crosby Modular Sofa Centre Piece With Storage
Next
Crosby Modular Footstool With Storage
What impressed me was that it’s modular and it comes with hidden storage within, while also being super comfortable to sit and lounge on – it’s the combination of all of these features that sold me on this design which is now one of the best modular sofas I’ve come across. I’m not 100% sure why but most storage sofas and sofa beds I’ve tried in the past haven’t been particularly comfortable so I was very pleasantly surprised.
Image 1 of 2
(Image credit: Future/Sara Hesikova)
(Image credit: Future/Sara Hesikova)
To access the storage, all you need to do is remove the seat cushion and lift the top of the base – there is a handle that allows you to do that very comfortably. And voila!
Prices start at £399 for a single armless module, while the matching footstool (which also comes with internal storage) starts at £275, depending on the upholstery option you decide to go for. There are only three to choose from at the moment – rust brown velvet and brushed weave in light olive green or a cream colourway called oyster – which is very limited but I’m hoping the upholstery choice will expand with time, especially if the sofa proves popular with customers.
(Image credit: Next)
But you can create configurations as small or large as your living space allows. And there is a multibuy discount, saving you 10% when buying two or more pieces priced at £150 or more – and that’s across several different selected sofas, rugs, chairs, beds, mattresses and other furniture.
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And since opting for a high quality frame with a decent warranty (ideally at least 10 years) is a part of choosing a sofa that will last, I was also really glad to learn that this sofa comes with a 15-year structural guarantee.
This sofa just keeps on ticking all the right boxes!
