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To create one must first question everything
The Monte Carlo Sofa by Eileen Gray is a defining moment in the evolution of 20th-century design. Conceived in 1923 for Gray’s iconic installation, the “Bedroom-Boudoir” at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs in Monte-Carlo, this remarkable sofa captures a pivotal transition in her creative journey, from ornate lacquer work to architectural modernism. Reflecting the sophisticated glamour and rhythm of its Riviera namesake, the sofa’s distinctive curved silhouette mirrors the dynamism of Monte Carlo’s famous racetrack.
Constructed from chromed tubular steel and upholstered in luxurious leather, the Monte Carlo Sofa embodies Gray’s shift toward industrial materials and functional minimalism. Influenced by De Stijl, Le Corbusier, and other contemporary modernists, she pursued a harmonious blend of clarity and elegance. Its meticulously balanced form expresses both movement and serenity, making the Monte Carlo Sofa a compelling statement about space, materiality, and modern living.
Originally showcased amidst vibrant lacquered panels, abstract carpets, and innovative lighting fixtures, the Monte Carlo Sofa anchored an immersive environment that signaled Gray’s embrace of spatial integration. This fully realized installation represented more than just furniture, it articulated a manifesto for modern design, harmonizing industrial aesthetics with artistic expression, and foreshadowing her later architectural achievements, notably the renowned E-1027 villa.
Today, produced by ClassiCon and displayed in spaces such as Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho, the Monte Carlo Sofa continues to resonate, underscoring Eileen Gray’s enduring influence. With each graceful curve and thoughtful detail, it not only encapsulates Gray’s visionary spirit but also invites contemporary audiences to experience firsthand the timeless dialogue between design, architecture, and human experience.
Sofa. Frame chrome-plated tubular steel. Beech frame with rubber webbing. Upholstery polyurethane with polyester fibre. Covering in classic and premium leather. Height-adjustable metal gliders.
LEATHER
FRAME
Coming from an aristocratic Irish-Scottish family, Eileen Gray went to London and Paris to study architecture and design. She first made a name for herself as a leading designer of lacquered walls and decorative panels. With her theories on design and architecture, she left an indelible mark on our ideas about living; her work is considered the epitome of Modernism. Gray’s tubular steel furniture, revolutionary at the time of their creation, are considered classics today. Her Adjustable Table E1027 is one of the most famous and most-copied designs in the world. It was added to the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1978. Her Dragons Armchair was sold in 2009 for the unbelievable amount of €21,905,000 and, at the time, became the most expensive design object ever to be sold at auction.
The non-conformist’s lifetime achievement was honored in 2013 with a major solo exhibition at Centre Pompidou in Paris. The production of the movie “Price of Desire” and the documentary film “Gray Matters” (both 2014) continued the success of the exhibition. Gray’s most famous architectural design, the Maison en Bord de Mer E1027 on the Côte d’Azur, was reopened to the public in 2015.