A settee is under 30 inches deep. That's not a flaw — it's the point. You sit upright, feet flat on the floor. It's a perching piece, not a settling-in piece. Historically a parlor staple, and still the right answer for an entry hall, a bedroom end, a library alcove, or anywhere a standard sofa would overwhelm the room.
People often buy settees for how they look. Mr Call scores them for how well they do their actual job — which is to be beautiful, hold their shape, and give someone a place to sit without committing to the room.
| Criterion | Weight | What He's Looking At |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ×25 | Beauty, originality, finish from every angle. Set before a single spec is reviewed. |
| Comfort | ×25 | Seat height, depth, fill, suspension. Measured against settee standards — not lounge or cocktail. |
| Craft | ×20 | Frame material, fabric durability in double rubs, certifications. |
| Livability | ×15 | Does it work in the spaces settees actually live — entries, bedrooms, libraries? Customization options. |
| Value | ×15 | Price-to-quality relative to its tier. A $2,500 settee is judged against $2,500 settees. |
| Score | Tier | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | Mr Call Approved | Transcends its price point. Best in class at any level. |
| 80–89 | Approved | Strong product with genuine merit. Buy with confidence. |
| 70–79 | Approved w/ Reservations | Decent, but notable compromises. Know what you're accepting. |
| <70 | Not Approved | Significant flaws. Mr Call will tell you where to look instead. |
Want to go deeper — double rubs, certifications, what makes a back floatable — the Glossary has the full methodology.