Swiss 35-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 35 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 espresso brown 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.

Even the loose cushions were considered as part of this system. Long rectangular backrests can be moved wherever support is wanted, while smaller bolsters and the wonderfully unexpected leather sphere introduce another layer of flexibility. There is no prescribed front or final arrangement; the individual pieces invite you to build the sofa around the room and the way it will actually be used.

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 feels central to what made De Sede’s modular furniture of the 1970s so radical, and why a set this extensive is such an 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.