OK, let’s start off with the vision of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’ Dr. Pitt sectional that everyone sees when they walk into one of its stores:
I took this image from Annie Elliot's Bossy Color blog, where her lovely daughter posed as a model in the DC showroom.
“Our modern interpretation of a disco-era classic,” the catalogue says. It’s almost always portrayed in washable cotton slipcovers — kid, pet, and everyone-else friendly.
But a Bethesda family I visited yesterday wanted a look that was a bit more dressed up. So, with the help of Designer Miriam Dillon of Custom Design Concepts Architecture + Interiors, they got it:
Dr. Pitt looks all grown up in his deep brown tweed suit with suede pillow accents.
Dillon had recommended that her clients check out the Mitchell Gold showroom when they were looking for upholstered pieces for their basement. The two sons, 10 and 14, spotted it. “My kids found it, because they were jumping on it in the showroom,” their mother, Allison, says.
But because of the very casual slipcovering, Allison’s husband was averse to it. “My husband thought it belonged in a beach place or a frat house,” she says. But now that it’s got better upholstery, he’s sold. “He’ll come home on Friday nights and lay on it and watch movies with the kids,” she says.
It’s such an appealing space, they often prefer it to the grand movie theater in the next room, which is visible through the arch below.
All upholstery in the room is by Mitchell Gold. The case goods -- side tables, console, and bookshelves -- are from Restoration Hardware.
Allison remembers the days before Dr. Pitt made his housecall, when “just furniture” was down there. “People would come in here and not say anything. Now, they’re like, “Omigod! What a great couch!’”
Wouldn't you love to dive into this? The family bought the orange and brown accent pillows right off the floor of the showroom.
The boys recently had friends over for the night, and all four of them slept on the Pit.
It has such a place of honor in the house that recently, the boys drew up a list of things they would want from their parents’ wills. One took the leather recliners in the movie theater, but the other took Dr. Pit. Trifles such as art and jewelry never made the cut.
UPDATE: If you want to see the entire house where Dr. Pitt lives, see this post on Apartment Therapy DC.
Jennifer Sergent. Native Washingtonian. Former editor at Washington Spaces magazine and HGTV. Currently searching for – and writing about – DC’s design voices. Write to me @ 
I came here this afternoon looking for inspiration and I didn’t have to go beyond this page today to get it. That is one heck of a sectional. My husband would love it. The RH pieces look wonderful too. It’s nice to see how they look beyond the pages of a catalog. We are awaiting a delivery from RH tomorrow. A piece we ordered back in November. I’m sure it will be worth the wait.
I so remember a neighbor having a couch like this in the 80s. I’ll admit I am not a fan of this in the loose slipcovered version. But, as it is in this home, it looks divine. I could see this in our basement for movie nights!
This looks incredibly comfortable! My family had a version of this arrangement in the late 70s/early 80s – and when we moved to Connecticut (we went from DC to Arkansas to Connecticut) – it moved with us, and made our basement the place to hang out for my brothers and their friends!
My designer is recommending something really comfortable – a sectional – for the kids den, and I might need to mention the pit to her…
The Pitt was the first thing I bought when I moved in to my house, and it’s the best purchase I ever made!! My son is obsessed with it. Bet you didn’t know it makes a great stage for impromptu 8 year old theatre performances, and it also can be changed in to a very cool castle. My son says it’s the only piece I’m never allowed to sell!
It turned out SO great! Jennifer I’m so glad you got to swing by Allison’s to see the house, isn’t it amazing?! Miriam – you did a fantastic job. Allison – LOVE IT!
I definitely prefer this piece in the darker, more tailored tweed look. What a great sofa for a family with kids! And I’m sure my dogs would love it too. . .