Swiss 33-Piece "DS-88" Modular Leather Sectional Sofa by De Sede. 1970s

The scale of this De Sede DS-88 sectional is the first thing you notice, but it’s the way the sofa comes apart and comes back together that makes it such an extraordinary piece of 1970s design.

Made in Switzerland, the DS-88 was designed as a completely modular seating landscape, built from individual upholstered elements that can be arranged and rearranged. This exceptionally large set includes 33 individual components, from box bases and seat cushions to backrests, armrest supports, and decorative pillows. Together, they can form the sweeping U-shaped sectional shown here, break apart into several independent sofas and lounge chairs, or take on an entirely different arrangement depending on the room.

Nearly every surface is wrapped in deep black leather. Rather than using broad, uninterrupted hides, De Sede constructed the upholstery from individual leather panels, stitched together in a patchwork that continues across the seats, backs, cushions, and bases. The seams become part of the design, tracing the architecture of each piece and gathering inward across the deeply tufted seat cushions. Decades of use have softened the leather and created subtle variations in tone and sheen from panel to panel.

The individual elements are designed to float rather than fasten to one another, which is central to the flexibility of the system. The seat cushions rest on their corresponding bases, while the backrests and pillows can be repositioned as the configuration changes. The corner backrests remain especially stable, as do the armrests when paired with the magazine rack supports. The straight backrests are stable during normal use but may shift with more active movement, so configurations placed against a wall will offer additional support.

Even the loose cushions were considered as part of this system. Long rectangular pillows can serve as either back cushions or armrests, while the smaller pillows can be moved wherever support is wanted. There is also an unexpected spheroid leather pillow among the set, another reminder that there is no final arrangement.

Configured at its largest, the DS-88 becomes almost architectural, wrapping around a room and creating a space within a space. Separated, those same elements become intimate seating groups, chaise-like lounges, ottomans, or individual chairs. That ability to shift between the monumental and the personal is central to what made De Sede’s modular furniture of the 1970s so radical, and why a set this extensive is such a rare find today.

About De Sede

Founded in Switzerland in the 1960s, De Sede began as a family saddlery, bringing traditional leatherworking techniques developed for equestrian craftsmanship into furniture. The company became known for using exceptionally thick full-grain leather, allowing its natural grain, texture, and character to remain visible rather than concealed beneath heavy finishing.

Decades later, De Sede's furniture remains sought after for its balance of comfort, craftsmanship, and enduring design. This sofa reflects that philosophy with a substantial yet understated silhouette that feels just as relevant today, whether anchoring a minimalist interior or a room layered with collected pieces.