In our launch issue we look at the price tag of haunted furniture, the history of ‘comfort’ and the role of the sofa in sitcoms. We take the covers off Freud’s couch, peek into designers’ homes to see what sofa they live with, and scrutinise Tony Blair’s so-called ‘sofa politics’. Foam comes under the spotlight in a materials focus, manufacturing approaches are revealed and we interview a couchsurfer, an upholsterer and an antique dealer.

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