What did you have in mind?
Trade terms for professionals and design studios
Every American lounge accumulates the same problem: nowhere to put the coffee. The usual answer is a side table bought separately, which drifts, tips and eventually disappears. Steeve Lou answers it in the order line instead — specific versions of the sofa come fitted with a side table on the right or on the left, in MDF with a reconstituted oak or walnut finish. The surface arrives at the right height, in the right relationship to the seat, and cannot wander off; specifying which side becomes a design decision made on the plan, not a purchase made later in a hurry.
The rest of the collection follows the same logic of things that belong together: a free-standing two- or three-seat sofa on a single powder-coated aluminum T-leg, a matching ottoman, a laptop cushion with a plywood tablet, high backrests and an ergonomic seat depth. It extends Steeve, the modular system Jean-Marie Massaud designed in 2015 — bench, armchair and sofa with central, end and corner modules, external structure in exposed wood or fully upholstered. From lounges and waiting rooms to restaurants, break areas and homes: La Mercanti supplies both across the U.S. with samples ahead of the order.
Collections: Steeve and Steeve Lou by Arper — modular and free-standing sofa systems for lounge and design settings, waiting areas, offices and collaborative spaces, hospitality, restaurants, break areas and homes
Designer: Jean-Marie Massaud — Steeve, 2015; Steeve Lou, 2024
Award (Steeve): Architizer A+ Award, 2016
Steeve — components: three versatile components — bench, armchair and sofa — with their relative modules; free-standing versions with one, two and three seats
Steeve — modularity: central, end and corner modules, for linear and corner compositions
Steeve — structure and upholstery: external structure in exposed wood or fully upholstered in fabric, leather or coated fabric; the upholstery of the internal structure and of the soft seat and back cushions can be configured coordinated or two-tone
Steeve — accessories: accessory cushions in two different sizes
Steeve Lou — build: free-standing, fully upholstered, metal and wood frame on a single powder-coated aluminum T-leg; two- and three-seat versions
Steeve Lou — surfaces and accessories: versions fitted with a right- or left-side table in MDF with reconstituted oak or walnut finish; matching ottoman on a powder-coated metal base with removable upholstery; laptop cushion with plywood tablet in oak or walnut finish
Steeve Lou — comfort: new cushioning foam technologies, ergonomic seat depth and high backrests for sitting up or lounging
Steeve Lou — service life: seat and back cushions with removable upholstery; the frame upholstery is applied without glue and can be separated and replaced by technical personnel; the collection is fully disassemblable and cushion covers can be replaced to extend the product's lifespan
Upholstery materials: fabric, leather, coated fabric or customer's own material across both collections
Intended-use framework cited by the maker: EN 16139 for non-domestic seating; the environmental product certifications page carries the FSC mark (fsc.org) and refers to Arper for the list of certified products
Safety and warranty: improper use declared (never as a stepladder, no extreme one-sided loads); check the tightness of fastenings regularly; warranty on materials and manufacture with liability declined for improper use
Dimensions: the collection sheets declare no measurements — La Mercanti supplies Arper's drawings with U.S. measures at quotation stage
Uses: design and lounge sofas, waiting and reception areas, offices and collaborative zones, hospitality and restaurants, break areas, home living and home office
Let us know which finishes you'd like to explore
Five steps to move from a mood board to a purchase order that survives value engineering.
