It’s been some time since I’ve been able to wax annoyed about the non-functionality of supposed “convertible” beds. Ever since the ascendance of manufacturers/designers like Clei (space-saving hideaway beds), Blu Dot (Diplomat sleeper sofa), and Olivier Grégoire (Eclosion), my pique at the recurrent failure of this concept has been quelled. So I won’t go into the details of one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes, wherein Elaine endures horrific back pain after being compelled to spend the night on the convertible sofa at Jerry’s parents, but instead segue right into Marc Sadler’s intriguing Cocoa.

Cocoa. Designed by Marc Sadler.

A Multi-Functional Furnishing with Easy Convertibility

Wherefore the comparison between Sadler’s Cocoa and a whole lineage of failed sleeper sofas? Because Cocoa converts—and easily at that, I might add, courtesy of its light weight and simple wooden notching system—from a sofa, to a lounger, to a fully-flat place of repose. In manufacturer Danese Milano’s parlance, the settings are “sofa,” “relax,” and “bed,” and the nifty animation on their website demonstrates how easily one flows in to the next. The different positions of Cocoa are facilitated with the subtle dip of the fiberglass frame along an even subtler pendulous continuum. Since the frame essentially takes the shape of a shallow bowl, the angles change just enough to accommodate your back end—whether seated upright or stretched out the long way.

Cocoa has an unusual aesthetic that’s modern and classic at once: its fiberglass construction evokes iconic furnishings like the Case Study House Shell Chair, and its smooth, sensuous shape recalls beach culture, as it suggests both the interior cross-section of a conch shell and some of the early long board surfing designs. Like these two icons, Cocoa is hard—therein lies its visual and textural appeal—so serious napping will necessarily require the addition of some plush accoutrements, but the slick aesthetic certainly makes it worth the effort.

Via InteriorDesign.