Better link below (I hope).

Just realized another advantage to this sofa: no more crud in the crevices.

Here is a link that might be useful: Antibes patio sofa

Very handsome!
If you don't like the cushions, an upholsterer can make you a spring and down single cushion, or one with very good foam well wrapped with good batting, to replace them. We did that when we recycled an old three-cushion sofa so that it would also serve as a bed for extra visitors, and it is so comfortable that my DH can be found napping happily on it every Sunday afternoon...

Oh bronwynsmom! Am I ever so glad you weighed in! I can buy the sofa without the RH cushions. Sounds like custom cushions would be the way to go. I'd love to have them in an antiqued leather, but now we're talking $$$, LOL! Miss Champagne Tastes is vexed by her premium beer budget...

How should I go about getting custom cushions? Could I just show a picture to the upholsterer and say, "Make these."?

What a fabulous idea...you may start a trend :)

You may want to price out those cushions --
And do sit down when you call -- the prices might shock you.

I've seen and sat on the Antibes pieces in person, and they were very comfortable. I could have sworn that the price of the sofa included their RH cushions with Sunbrella fabric, with an upcharge for certain fabrics, but my memory has been very bad lately.

I also went to two different upholsterers to price out the foam for our supposedly custom-made outdoor cushions. For six dining chairs and four lounge chairs, (backs and bottoms) the foam alone came to a little over $1,000. Bottom line is that the upholstery charges will not be small.

I've thought often of how great the new offerings in patio furniture would work so well inside. Price, style, options, etc. My interest was mainly for a smaller home, but there are so many designs available now for larger.

It is interesting that they are selling the cushions separately, but doing this allows a number of color options. I think upholstering would cost far more, but worth talking to a couple of businesses.

Go for it. Really like the design and looks high end.

Thanks, all, for the encouraging responses. Custom cushions I'm sure are very expensive, especially here in high mark up land. Still, they would probably be a good investment. Something to look into some day...

Yes, emagineer, I agree that there is some terrific patio furniture that would work well inside. I bought some cast aluminum dining chairs from Smith & Hawken last fall when they went on sale. My old dining chairs were beyond repair, and these were cheaper than new good wooden dining chairs. I love them. They're sturdy, comfy, and light, and look good anywhere.

Some of the all weather wicker pieces with clean, modern lines are stunning. That's what I would have preferred in our family room. But our cat loves to destroy, and I feared she would have viewed wicker furniture as a wonderful new scratching post and climbing wall.

The sofa we did over was an old Scandinavian Design (remember them?) three-cushion gray and white striped thing. We ditched the rather cheap cushions, fattened up the arms a little, gave it a tailored waterfall skirt, added the aforementioned single seat cushion, and then used five square down pillows with thick short fringe for the back cushions. So it was a pretty big job, but I got something that would have cost about $4,000 for about $1,200. That was 15 years ago, and it needs to be done again. The fringed back pillow thing is so 80's!

One note, if you decide to do it. Make sure that the seat cushion has some form of subtle strap included in the design to secure the cushion to the frame. Otherwise, it will slide around when you sit on it, which will drive you right round the bend. What comes to my mind is a couple of simple self-fabric belts with velcro closures incorporated into the back edge. The front corner detail will help hold it (and make sure that detail is in the design as well), but I think when you put fabric on metal, slippage is a given.

But to your question...I cut several pictures out of design magazines (known in the trade as "shelter books," a term I've always found hilarious, tho I don't know why...) of sofas that looked exactly like what I wanted, and talked them over with my upholsterer. We agreed on the kind of construction and the dimensions and the price. I was specific about the shape of the corners, the size of the welting, and everything else about the piece. I made copies of the pictures and my sketches and notes to leave with him, so there would be no question. I even gave him a picture of something similar but not what I wanted, so he would see what I wanted him to avoid.

This is a good time to say again something I say all the time (so I must believe it!).
First, to communicate a visual idea, use a visual medium.
Second, do not leave any detail out of the discussion, and go over it and have it repeated back to you until you are sure that the vision in your head (and in your notebook) is the same in your tradesperson's head (and notebook).

How I do run on...

Give a picture of what NOT to do -- another excellent idea. Thanks for going into detail, bronwynsmom. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experience -- it's a tremendous help.

Bought it! With the cushions. I figure having indoor/outdoor cushions for a sofa that will probably be hauled outside to the deck every now and then would be worth buying.

Thanks all for the encouragement. Arrives in two weeks.